Searching for stove with these traits...any suggestions?

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Darl Bundren

Member
Jan 9, 2008
99
WNC
We are going to install a stove in the sunroom adjacent to our living room, and I am trying to narrow my options. We currently own a Woodstock Keystone, and I am very fond of its features. What a great stove. However, for the new installation, I would like to purchase a more affordable stove that shares some of the Keystone's features. Getting soapstone in this one is not important to me. Steel, cast iron, or some combination thereof are all fine.

Important criteria:
North/South loader (I think I have that right--logs go in long ways, right?)
Convenient, decently-sized ash pan
Takes 16" wood
6" connection for pipe
Top outlet
Sized approximately the same as the Keystone (I seem to recall that the KS has a 1.4 cf firebox--is this right?). Maybe a little larger. Nothing too huge.

Less important criteria:
Catalytic (if it's as easy to operate as the one on the KS) for longer burn times
Preferably made in the US (though I've been eyeballing some of the Jotuls, and they're not domestically produced, I don't think)
In the $1500 range-ish. If there's a phenomenal stove out there closer to $2K, post it up.

I have looked at many different manufacturers' sites, and it seems like I've had to click on every thumbnail to start culling through each stove's traits. I am confident that the collective wisdom of the board will outstrip my current understanding by a long shot.

And thanks a ton. I purchased my stove sight unseen, did the install and chimney construction myself, and much of what I did was made possible by looking around this great site.
 
I think the one that should fit all your criteria except being made in the US (Canada) is the Enviro Kodiak (or Boston) 1200. You could also take a look at the PE True North although I don't think it has an ash pan. I don't know its price but the Kuma Tamarack should otherwise fit your points.
 
You already have a Woodstock so I am sure there are a lot of people on here scratching there head wondering why you would want anything else. I am not a big fan of Vermont Castings but 1 stove they have that I like is the Cat. Dutchwest. I will repeat CAT! It is not N/S but the end loading may work. One issue right now might be that since they were sold warrantys may come in to question. Might wait and see.
 
I would check with Woodstock and see if a Keystone is coming up in the exchange/rebuild program they have. Stoves returned under their warranty program are completely refurbished and come with a new stove warranty. Except for the one year return privilege.
 
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I've heard of people getting blaze king sirocco 20's for around 1800, but that sure isn't the case in my area. That would definitely get you long burn times and most of your criteria. You could always call Woodstock and get a refurbished Keystone...they should be in your price range. Do that!
 
BrotherBart beat me by a few seconds....grrrr
 
I'd get a refurb Keystone. Wait...I already did.
 
Thanks for the feedback so far! I will look at the stoves mentioned (I had not heard of several of them, so the info is a big help). Also, I did not realize that Woodstock has the refurb program. What's a ballpark figure for a refurbished stove? Either the Keystone or Palladian would work, I think.
 
I just paid around $1700 for a refurb Fireview...so around that or a little less for a Keysone I would imagine?
 
There are immeasurable advantages to having two of the same stove:

1. One cache of spare parts fits both stoves.
2. You can steal a part off one to get the other up and running, in a pinch.
3. Comparing performance, when you think something might be wrong with one of them.
4. Only teaching spouse/kids/guest how to operate one stove.

Shall I go on...?
 
Thanks for the feedback so far! I will look at the stoves mentioned (I had not heard of several of them, so the info is a big help). Also, I did not realize that Woodstock has the refurb program. What's a ballpark figure for a refurbished stove? Either the Keystone or Palladian would work, I think.
I paid about $1800 delivered last summer. Shipping should be cheaper for you.
 
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I would check with Woodstock and see if a Keystone is coming up in the exchange/rebuild program they have. Stoves returned under their warranty program are completely refurbished and come with a new stove warranty. Except for the one year return privilege.

Correction here. It is six months rather than a year.
 
Thanks for the feedback so far! I will look at the stoves mentioned (I had not heard of several of them, so the info is a big help). Also, I did not realize that Woodstock has the refurb program. What's a ballpark figure for a refurbished stove? Either the Keystone or Palladian would work, I think.

Darl, if you want to think a bit bigger but still buy from the same company and perhaps still within your price range, Woodstock will very soon be introducing a new but larger stove. Maybe too large for you but maybe not too. There will be a few new and exciting things on the new one too.
 
Darl, if you want to think a bit bigger but still buy from the same company and perhaps still within your price range, Woodstock will very soon be introducing a new but larger stove. Maybe too large for you but maybe not too. There will be a few new and exciting things on the new one too.
Good to know. I'm not sure going much larger than the Keystone would work given the space we're putting it in, but I'm interested. Any idea of how soon "very soon" is?

I am leaning more and more towards going with Woodstock again, but it may be a refurb this time.
 
Stick with the Keystone. This is just another somewhat shameless Union plug.
 
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Stick with the Keystone. This is just another somewhat shameless Union plug.
Oh, come on, bg....it's only like two and a half times as big as the OP wants.... ;lol
 
Nothing shameless about it.
 
Woodstock has both regular sales, and, I have heard, a discount for returning customers. Certainly give them a call, and see what you can arrange. You might even be able to get a new Keystone at a great price when on sale as a present owner of a Woodstock stove. I don't know if returning customer discount applies on refurb stoves. Talk with them. They'll let you know the best price they can arrange for you.
 
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