Vermont Castings Dutchwest

I loved mine, just sold it last august no chimney at the new house. Click on the thread listed at the bottom of my signature to see an entire thread devoted to all things dutchwest. Mine was the large cat.

I've had my DutchWest 2460 (small w/cat) for 15 years now. It is burning as well today as it did 15 years ago with a minimum of maintenance.

I have run a medium dutchwest non cat for 6 years now in my shop. I have had no problems what so ever. Now, you will probably get some very negitive opinions as soon as people wake up and get on the computor. It demands a good draft and dry wood, and normal intellegence to operate. Keep the downdraft chambers clean which involves removing the top.(no big deal).

I loved my EX large DW cat stove .
I used mine for 15 years +- Fill the stove lite it up and let it burn .
I changed the cat a few times .
I would not get the ever burn system . John

neumsky said:

Is it a general consensus that it would be easier for the wife to run a non cat for the wife tho?

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My wife will be along in a few to make a comment about the "spirit" of what you, poor lost soul that you are, have written.

If your wife can walk and chew bubble gum, she can run a cat stove. It has exactly twice as many "levers" as a non-cat stove, and the SEX of the operator has nothing to do with being able to operate them.

you can leave your car in first gear too, but its more efficient in road gear

I think the cat versions of the DW stoves are great stoves - easy on the eyes and feature rich stoves. I have read (and do some searching) that the non-cat versions are crap.

As far as using the cat - they are drop dead simple. If a person can't run one, they ought to stick to pellet stoves or something else.

Good luck!
Bill

leeave96 said:

I think the cat versions of the DW stoves are great stoves - easy on the eyes and feature rich stoves. I have read (and do some searching) that the non-cat versions are crap.

As far as using the cat - they are drop dead simple. If a person can't run one, they ought to stick to pellet stoves or something else.

Good luck!
Bill

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maybe you should talk about facts, and not what you have read. I think crap is a little rude, as there are people that have them and like them. remember I said that they need average intellegence to operate

neumsky said:

Just outa curiousity...Chris...what does 5 boys & a wife have to do with not having a wood stove??? Jeff BTW....thanx for all the info.... I'm starting to wonder if having a catalyc model is worth it? Again...thanx so much...very informative.

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No problem. The cat dw is very easy to use and low maintenance, not to mention controlable during the shoulder season. But if you are buying new there are so many options! BTW the wife and kids loved it too! I had to sell mine because of a move, new rental has no chimney.

I would not hesitate on buying another dw, I'd go used though, a third of the price of a new one. Look into Woodstock?

I've been using my Dutchwest A-Plus Cat. stove for over 20 heating seasons. I will burn it occassionaly in non-cat mode to burn the carbon off the front window or if I don't need full output. I don't consider it difficult to run although I've had twenty years of practice. I have replaced gaskets and one cast iron part in all those years.

Hanko said:

leeave96 said:

I think the cat versions of the DW stoves are great stoves - easy on the eyes and feature rich stoves. I have read (and do some searching) that the non-cat versions are crap.

As far as using the cat - they are drop dead simple. If a person can't run one, they ought to stick to pellet stoves or something else.

Good luck!
Bill

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maybe you should talk about facts, and not what you have read. I think crap is a little rude, as there are people that have them and like them. remember I said that they need average intellegence to operate

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I am talking FACTS. I've got both, a cat stove and non-cat stove. Maybe you should get your facts straight and lighten-up on your rude crap.

Bill

neumsky said:

I appreciate the input...for me...I fly airplanes for a living...so I think I can handle it... I really do want to consider my wife tho...and I think this info helps, so I might just get one than. I am noticing that some of you guys don't own one yourself tho...any reason for that? Thanx so much Jeff

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Another cat stove to consider is Woodstock. You might find right now that pricing may be similar - just a thought. See woodstove.com

Good luck!
Bill

Just stopped by the thread to see how Newmsky's stove search was going only to find out some people are getting nervous!

I knew it was coming the minute you mentioned non cat dw. Bill it's not the first time I've seen Hanko lose his cool over someone downtalking his stove. Truth is you never know how you'll like a stove untill you try it in your own house.

As far as getting advice from members about stoves, they are mere opinions. My opinion is if you're buying new the Woodstock prices are good and service unmatched! The PE Alderlea series gets great reviews too. Like I stated before, there are so many options!
If I were to choose between cat vs. non cat in the DW series I'd take the cat any day!!
Hanko might go w the nc. But again the choices are endless.

I certainly would not discount the cats. They are not hard to operate, but some consider them more flexible during the shoulder season. The DW has three levers primary air, damper lever and cat air. Some people never touch the cat air lever. Most modern stoves are not like the old allnighters were you just load them in the basement and leave!
Good luck with the search, keep us posted.

I had considered the DW before, but went with the Lopi because I prefered the dealer and we were having them do the install. I really like the looks of the cat version. They don't sound overly difficult to use, I think my biggest issue would have been getting DH to remember not to open it up to reload with the cat engaged.

As far as operation...why not check for a dealer in your area that has the stove burning in their showroom? When we were stove shopping, that's what we did. Saw the Endeavor burning, got a quick how to on the bypass damper and reg damper, etc and saw what it looked like in use. Went with the Republic, which is a sister stove to the Endeavor, instead (a little different in looks and no by-pass damper, plus less $$) but it was helpful none the less.

I do find the "can my wife operate xxx type of stove" comments humorous...I guess it's like assuming guys can't cook or women can't turn a wrench...I know plenty of guys that can handle a paring knife and women that can do a tune up or oil change...and women that can bractically burn water and guys that barely know where to put the gas in their car, much less check or change their oil.

I just got back from checking out a new DW 2461 at a dealer. Only change, other than the handles, I could find was an improvement in the damper itself, it now has a lip around the damper which, IMO, would give you better seal. Heckuva price as well $1390.00 (Cdn.) + taxes. I paid $1200.00 + taxes 15 years ago for my 2460.