Stove recommendations

[p575]

I'm looking at purchasing a new stove that would qualify for the tax credit. My home is a 2 story cape cod (with a basement, but that's not going to get heated by this). Main floor is 1350 feet with another ~800 upstairs. This would be in one corner of the main living area (fairly open concept) and used for supplemental heat. We run heat pumps and just like the extra heat from a stove and I enjoy cutting wood and need to drum up more chores for the children. What is the cheaper end of what is recommended for a stove that would qualify for the credit? Tractor Supply has Grand Teton and some others in the $6-700 range that qualify. Are these absolute garbage that will make me hate life, or are they the Honda Accord of the stove world? I know that there are some high quality stoves (Jotul, Vermont Castings, etc...) that are super nice, but I can't justify the price tag on those right now. At our old house we had a 1970 something steel box of a stove and while inefficient, it worked for us.
Thanks for any insight.

 

[Gumneck]

I've had my Lopi Freedom Bay large insert for 14 years. When I bought it I was able to use the tax credit for it as well. I've never had a problem with it so far. I will need to replace some fire bricks soon as some are cracking. Being in Chesapeake right on the coast we dont have to have it as the house has central air/heat via gas and with our up and down temps. When it's cold I keep it running. My honest opinion on your price range is that I would be cautious that you're gonna get a stove that is not going to be built to a level that you'll get alot of years out of it problem free. I wish my Lopi only cost $6-700, however, I dont have any problem with what I paid years ago with the way it's performed. In fact, I was so impressed, someone posted the exact same stove for $100 bucks and it was only a couple of miles away, It's sitting in my shed either as a backup here or possibly install at a farm house.

Well those are my thoughts. I haven't looked at what TSC offers but the cheapest isn't always the best option and I invented being cheap. Good luck with your search.
Tom