new-to-me Dutchwest catalytic stove

Is there are stainless steel liner in the chimney?

2 cords is not a bad start but when you are seriously considering to use the stove a lot for heating those will get you barely through the upcoming winter. I highly recommend to get the wood for the following winter stacked that is has time to dry at least one year. (And two would generally be better.) Don't rely on wood being advertised as "seasoned". It rarely has been split and stacked for more than a few weeks.

Welcome to the forums. I had a friend with an older version of that stove, and it served him well for years. But after being stored poorly and getting a bit ragged, we couldn't get $100 for it. It's now sitting in my backyard growing rust, and in hindsight I wish I had rescued and restored it myself.

The good news is, you got a DW cat instead of their infamous non-cat. I'd suggest buying a new combustor, keep posting here for tips, and search the old threads for additional info. Nice that you have some wood all ready to go, because cat stoves like WELL-seasoned wood. One tip you will hear here plenty: don't burn anything cut/split/stacked for less than a full year (2-3 for oak).

twd000 said:

Not sure about the liner. Does that involve me climbing on the roof?

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Either you or a chimney sweep. Has the chimney been cleaned and inspected before the closing?

twd000 said:

I also have two open fireplaces on the main floor, coming off the same center chimney.

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Have that looked at to make sure you have 3 separate flues in the chimney. Putting a stove/insert on the main floor would certainly give you more heat there.

The catalyst looks pretty bad. For a few occasional fires it may still work but I doubt you will get close to the actual efficiency the stove was designed for.

@Woody Stover has a DW, maybe he will be along shortly to comment.

Can't tell from the pic but as long as the refractory doesn't have any big chunks out of it, you should be OK there. The cat thermometers eventually erode away at the tip, and yours may be overdue for replacement. As long as the tip about is 1/2" from the surface of the cat, it should give accurate readings. I'll check the one I put it recently and see how long it is. It's a Condar and they're cheaper than the OE replacement. If you want to tackle it, you can get a gasket set here: http://www.woodmanspartsplus.com/745276/products/Vermont-Castings-Gasket-Kit.html?d_id=63009t The combustor might be OK, you'll have to try it with some DRY wood and see how it does. I'd have a backup in stock, though. I was thinking of trying the DuraFoil cat from Woodstock...should hold up very well. it's 6x2" and should fit: http://store.woodstove.com/product.php?productid=16207&cat=265&page=1 I won't deal with Clear Skies since they ripped me; Ordered 2 cats but only received one. Repeated attempts at resolution were ignored. I put the one I got in my SIL's 2460 so I'll see how it holds up..

i bought that model stove long ago and i have that stove in my basement. its no longer connected. i went to a summit a few years ago downstairs and a small jotul upstairs. I had to replace my cat in the 2462. i tired both the ceramic and the steel one. i prefer the ceramic. i think i got mine from black swan. the stove works well with dry seasoned wood. not so good with unseasoned wood a trait pointed out earlier with lots of stoves. there are features i like about it like the ash bin and the side loading doors. I've had earlier models of VC/Dutchwest that worked well too. I think i had an Adirondack extra large years and years ago. i went with the 2462 because the other worked so well. the 2462 worked ok but it was hard to heat both the upstairs and downstairs with it. i have @ 2400 sq ft, 1200 each floor, thats why i went with a bigger stove downstairs but it just went through too much wood trying to heat the whole house when it got much below 25. i used almost a third again more wood when i run just downstairs in the basement. it takes a couple of days to bring everything up to temperature. i had installed some corner fans to help move the heat but not sure they worked any better than plain old convection movement. i also have a drop ceiling so i removed a panel or two when i had it running to get up between the ceiling and the upstairs floor.
the medium sized jotul f3 cb does well for us when someone is around to feed it. it has a relatively short burn time. my wife and i go to work about 4 hours between us so i feed it when i leave, she stokes it when she leaves for work and its still burning a little when i get home. the basement is mostly under ground. it hasn't gotten under 55 through the milder maryland winter, although outside it did get into the low teens the basement remained pretty warm. only when it was going to be real cold both day and night did i fire up the summit. good luck. i think you can get the replacement parts and do well. key is, get seasoned wood....and a moisture meter so you can check the stack or the person that delivers to be sure.