What stoves (companies or individual models) seem to be the least reliable/trouble prone?
Former stove companies included...
Former stove companies included...
Most Problematic stoves
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Slow1
Minister of Fire
The other guy's stove. Or the one trying to burn green wood 
Seriously though - Vermont Castings at one time was a company/brand to be proud of. Then something happened and the company got sold out, went bankrupt, re-sold, that company went under (I don't know exactly how many times this cycled through...) anyway, you get the idea. At any rate as this went on there was a real mess with the way they handled (or didn't handle) warranty issues and I don't believe that their stoves were being built/designed with the same pride and quality as they had been (to put it nicely). Now, from some recent reports it may be that they are improving - at least I have not heard the bashing talk lately which is a clear improvement.
So many times it seems that when folks get upset with their stoves here in the end it turns out to either be the installation (i.e. they don't have a proper chimney setup) or their fuel (wet/green wood) that is the real problem. When a problem does show up with a stove, it is rather telling how the company and/or installer handles the situation. Clearly there are differences there - with the primary contact being the installer in so many cases it may be difficult to really judge the stove manufacturer unless you get enough stories to spot the trends on how they support their resellers.
Seriously though - Vermont Castings at one time was a company/brand to be proud of. Then something happened and the company got sold out, went bankrupt, re-sold, that company went under (I don't know exactly how many times this cycled through...) anyway, you get the idea. At any rate as this went on there was a real mess with the way they handled (or didn't handle) warranty issues and I don't believe that their stoves were being built/designed with the same pride and quality as they had been (to put it nicely). Now, from some recent reports it may be that they are improving - at least I have not heard the bashing talk lately which is a clear improvement.
So many times it seems that when folks get upset with their stoves here in the end it turns out to either be the installation (i.e. they don't have a proper chimney setup) or their fuel (wet/green wood) that is the real problem. When a problem does show up with a stove, it is rather telling how the company and/or installer handles the situation. Clearly there are differences there - with the primary contact being the installer in so many cases it may be difficult to really judge the stove manufacturer unless you get enough stories to spot the trends on how they support their resellers.
Backwoods Savage
Minister of Fire
Slow1 is right. I've stated before that 99% of the wood burners problems would be solved if he just let his wood dry before trying to burn it. The wood burner also needs to know the differences in wood, such as, oak takes a lot longer to dry than other woods. It is one of the very best woods to burn but gives up its moisture reluctantly. Soft maple, on the other hand needs only a few months. Regardless, wood does not dry much except for the ends until it has been split. Then it needs to be stacked outdoor where the wind can hit the side of the wood pile to dry the wood.
I'm not sure stating different manufacturers as having bad stoves will accomplish anything except to rile up some tempers and that is not good. Why not turn your thread around and ask about favorable manufacturers? Positive beats the negative in most cases.
I'm not sure stating different manufacturers as having bad stoves will accomplish anything except to rile up some tempers and that is not good. Why not turn your thread around and ask about favorable manufacturers? Positive beats the negative in most cases.
I totally agree that burning bad wood or not knowing how to properly operate a stove are big problems. Maybe it's just me, but to imply that there are NO bad stoves is just plain wrong.
My 2008 VC Encore (cat) has been a maintenance problem from day one. There was no quality control in the building of this stove. Yes, when it's put back together (again), it works great. Great heat, long burn times, no smell, no smoke (either inside or outside), starts up easily and burns forever. And then the cat warps before even 2 seasons are in (I'm on my 3rd one), or the wing forcing the smoke into the secondary burn area falls off again, or it needs to be re-gasketed again. It's a great stove when it works. Until it doesn't work.
On the other hand, my Quadrafire Isle Royale (also circa 2008) has been a great stove from day one. It's a workhorse in every way. It's a great stove when it works. And it ALWAYS works.
My 2008 VC Encore (cat) has been a maintenance problem from day one. There was no quality control in the building of this stove. Yes, when it's put back together (again), it works great. Great heat, long burn times, no smell, no smoke (either inside or outside), starts up easily and burns forever. And then the cat warps before even 2 seasons are in (I'm on my 3rd one), or the wing forcing the smoke into the secondary burn area falls off again, or it needs to be re-gasketed again. It's a great stove when it works. Until it doesn't work.
On the other hand, my Quadrafire Isle Royale (also circa 2008) has been a great stove from day one. It's a workhorse in every way. It's a great stove when it works. And it ALWAYS works.
Wood Duck
Minister of Fire
My answer would be that I have not had any problems with my Lopi, so I assume Lopis are trouble free. The problem is that like most people on the list I have only had one stove. Probably a few have owned two or even three stoves, but how many of us can speak with any authority on which brand is best. All you'll get is some people saying they like their stoves and others saying they have had problems. Not very scientific.
I'd try reading through the old threads in the Hearth room, or search for the manufacturer you're interested in and read the threads about that stove maker. For me the choice was limited to the brands carried by the local stove shop.
I'd try reading through the old threads in the Hearth room, or search for the manufacturer you're interested in and read the threads about that stove maker. For me the choice was limited to the brands carried by the local stove shop.
fredarm
Minister of Fire
Stump_Branch
Minister of Fire
Id think you could list some pre epa, pre ul stoves.
One that would come to me was one called, better'n bens...makes me wonder what bens stove was as that thing is a POS.
One that would come to me was one called, better'n bens...makes me wonder what bens stove was as that thing is a POS.
VCBurner
Minister of Fire
Hey there, maybe the best way to start researching what stove to buy is doing some leg work. As often times the dealer ends up being the link in the chain that you will have to rely on if a problem arises. True, there are some companies that produce good products that are generally less problematic. This is not a guarantee though. The only company that will give you your money back within six months of purchase for any reason is Woodstock. To buy one of their stoves you have to buy directly through them and have it shipped. Their products are also very well priced because of this. They are a company you can call if a problem arises and they will take the time to solve your individual problem. The only company I know of that will do this. Others rely heavily on the dealers, so taking the time to get to know them and making sure they will assure your satisfaction could be your best bet.
The best question in your case might be answered by you:
What size space are you looking to heat, style stove you are interested in, where would the stove be installed, what is your budget?
To ask what stoves are problematic the answer may be:
Any stove that is not installed in an adequate setting or is burning poor quality wood.
The best question in your case might be answered by you:
What size space are you looking to heat, style stove you are interested in, where would the stove be installed, what is your budget?
To ask what stoves are problematic the answer may be:
Any stove that is not installed in an adequate setting or is burning poor quality wood.
FyreBug
Minister of Fire
richg said:
+1
When all is said and done a wood stove is a black square box made out of steel with very few moving parts. What can go wrong? They all burn wood and release heat.
As Dennis mentioned, the overall customer experience begins with the sales and continues with the type of support you receive for the life of the product. Therefore what has been a good purchasing experience and life cycle experience of the product is a good question worth asking.
I purchased an Osburn 2000 Wood Burning Stove last November and got it burning by December and it is a fine stove. As my brothers have mentioned here at Hearth, most of the time its (LOUSY/HIGH MOISTURE CONTENT) wood that is the issue. The Ash that I purchased this year was cut and split the same week that I ordered it. Even though it needs to be seasoned I have learned how to get Ash burning at Stove Operating Temps.
I just make sure that I sweep my chimney once a month. I do not want to take any chances of my stack catching fire...
Fredo
I just make sure that I sweep my chimney once a month. I do not want to take any chances of my stack catching fire...
Fredo
eclecticcottage
Minister of Fire
Wood Duck said:
+1 on the Lopi. We've had (well, have) three, two DV and the one wood burner. The only thing with the Republic, and it's been since day one, I think the door latching system sucks. We keep needing to retighten the handle. I'm going to have the dealer check it out in the spring when they do the cleaning (which is why I'll have them do the cleaning, so if there's any problems they can take care of it then).
Also, on both stoves with a blower. The blower rattles. The tabs are where they are supposed to be on the wood stove blower, the gas stove blower is pretty hard to access but it appears to be mounted correctly. They have both done it since day 1 and the Dv stove is over 10 years old.
Treacherous
Minister of Fire
I wonder if the Republic door latch is the same as the Endeavor? I've only had to adjust mine one time.
I've had a little rattle with blower as well but pretty much eliminated it with a few washers I used as shims on the front corners of the blower.
I've had a little rattle with blower as well but pretty much eliminated it with a few washers I used as shims on the front corners of the blower.
eclecticcottage said:
eclecticcottage
Minister of Fire
eclecticcottage
Minister of Fire
webby3650 said:
I doubt it's worn out, it's new as of Oct 11. We do plan on getting it looked after, just gotta keep her going until spring (only heat source). We just keep that socket handy for our bi-monthly tightening.
No one really cares what I think but I'll say it anyway. I think some stoves burn differently given the type of wood, and as others have said the moisture content. So for example a stove made on the East coast might prefer oak or some other hardwood. I see a big difference between my current stove and the one I had before. I see the different manufacturer's recommendations for wood moisture content and the Scandinavian stoves say MC of 18-20% It would be hard for someone here to get that low. I also see many people try to use too short of chimney say 12-14 ft. instead of the MINIMUM 15. So all this to say the application and install is a big part of a happy user; the other part is wood.
Hickorynut
Feeling the Heat
I have had problems with my door latch working lose and it is on its 3rd season. I went so far as to order a couple of nuts, washers and the cam. That has been two months ago and after a couple calls to the dealer still nothing. If I needed a blower or other important part to keep it going wonder how slow lopi would be then. I can only compare this lopi freedom to my pre epa country flame and the lopi doesn't beat it by much 
.
.My old insert (Derco Grizzly) was really nice looking, big window curved glass. It was a solid heavy duty 650LB beast. Unfortunately it did have some serious problems. Making it look nice forced the designers to make the air passages too small so they used a powerful 450CFM blower which made it sound like a shop vac. The rod that connected to the cat bypass was not solid and the connection to the bypass damper was weak so it broke. The cat was placed right in the middle of the firebox handing down 1.5" so it was exposed to the flame which destroys cats quickly. For an EPA phase1 cat stove it was great, huge firebox and long burn times that is until the cat would break down. Other problem is the ceiling of the firebox was only 1/4" steel and it warped breaking the cat and the cat holder.
Treacherous
Minister of Fire
Pretty windy and dry over in Kittitas Co... it's been easy to get low teens in my Douglas Fir.
RNLA said:
My Country Canyon is working great in the third season.
All stove parts are "moving parts" due to RT to 800deg excursions.
The fewer parts a stove has the better.
All stove parts are "moving parts" due to RT to 800deg excursions.
The fewer parts a stove has the better.
Highbeam
Minister of Fire
Treacherous said:
Absolutely no problems here getting well into the teens. You just need to know how to stack and season. Plus have room for the wood while you're letting it season. Perhaps also important is to not be under a dense canopy of trees blocked from wind and sun.
I have actually had to sell wood because it had gotten too dry. There really is such a thing. It wasn't going to rot, I don't think, but it was just getting too light and I had lots of it.
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