Century insert looked good until I started reading about that brand in this forum

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RedRanger

RedRanger

New Member
Nov 19, 2007
1,428
British Columbia
I see Home Depot has a century insert on sale for $899cdn. But just finished reading complaints about last years model,cracked welds,etc. Also, seems awfully light (240lbs),say, compared to the PE Vista at 300. If, and that is a BIG IF, I decided to upgrade my old PE insert, guess the Century wouldn`t be the way to go about it? Or, is this years models improved and quality control back up to "snuff"? Only model number that I can see is 932755 -but don`t know if that is really correct or not? Might just be a tagged on Home Depot number. It`s EPA approved. But if it`s crap then it`s crap! Any thoughts?
 
I used to have a Century free-standing stove, and could tell it was a low-end stove. It was made fairly thin and light.
For the money it was okay for a $500.00 stove, but nowhere near the stove the PE is. It had a plain steel baffle, that was non-replacable.

Going from the PE insert to that Century insert would be a step backward, IMHO.

If you are looking for a fairly decent insert for cheap, look at the Drolet Escape for $1000.00 at HOME HARDWARE.

http://www.drolet.ca/product.aspx?CategoId=7&Id=428

That bad buy weighs in @ 350 Lbs.

Stock number @ Home Hardware (Not Home Depot) is 5531-440

If you have more than $1000 to spend, I'd consider the PE "Pacific" insert, or the Summit, if you have room.
 
I looked at one when I was looking for a replacement for my old insert summer before last. Looked at it and thought it was crap. As I said when the guys started having trouble with theirs, I couldn't believe those tack welds were holding it up.

A million people may be having good luck with them. Who knows?
 
Thanks for the comments guys: We had a droulet stove in the early eighties. Fantastic beast,12 hour burns no problem,very heavy and really well built. The reason I`m looking at options is for that overnite burn specially with the heat-activated blower. My old PE does a good job on heating the lower 2 levels and does get some heat up to the 3rd and 4th,but not enough. I know that I`m stuck with the propane insert on the 3rd because the wife does not want to extend the hearth to bring it to code for a wood insert and doesn`t want the dust and mess on that level either. (But if it were up to me). ya,we know the answer to that one.. I`m thinking that Droulet insert would no doubt be good for an overnite burn. At a grand the price is right too. At this period in time my thinking is moving the propane insert to the recroom with the low ceiling and a new wood insert upstairs. Maybe if I keep bringing this subject up over and over again she will relent and agree to do the sensible thing? Failing that, any other suggestions? FYI that 3rd level has a sloping ceiling going from 8ft where the insert is to 12ft where the ceiling fan is, and then wide stairs to the 4th level where it was 55 degrees when I got up this morning. And the temp outside was -3c or I think about 27F.
 
I thought the problem was with some DW's? I guess they are the same as the steel Centurys? But we have had a bunch of users satisfied with their Centurys. All things being equal (like my wallet), I would go for the PE or another model if available, but settle for the Century (I would not avoid it., but the price comparison would have to be very good)......

Of course, BB will tell you Englander makes a heavy duty machine for a low price also. There are also a lot of other models these days not too far from that price range. Even Lopi/Avalon has a stove that came out at about $1000 (maybe $1100 now).
 
Webmaster said:
I thought the problem was with some DW's? I guess they are the same as the steel Centurys? But we have had a bunch of users satisfied with their Centurys. All things being equal (like my wallet), I would go for the PE or another model if available, but settle for the Century (I would not avoid it., but the price comparison would have to be very good)......

Of course, BB will tell you Englander makes a heavy duty machine for a low price also. There are also a lot of other models these days not too far from that price range. Even Lopi/Avalon has a stove that came out at about $1000 (maybe $1100 now).
Click to expand...

Yeah the Century I looked at was exactly the same stove as the Dutchwest. They just cast the word Dutchwest on the door of the DW version. In fact the Century manual online calls it a Dutchwest now. I think the Drolets look like great, well built inserts. The PEs and Quads are great ones too. Lotta good steel stoves out there.

I have no experience with the ESW insert. In fact I have never seen one except in pictures.
 
I had one in the last house, a 1400 I think it was, mid-size, free-standing, boiler plate box. It was unattractive, but never gave me a bit of trouble and reliably heated a 1300 SF ranch. At the time, it was dirt cheap in the states - stove and liner under $1000 US. And served me well for 5 yrs. No complaints.

Steve
 
I'm still waiting on that 5cf firebox damnit!!!!!!!!!! And it has to have a 1.6 gph emission!!!!!! ;)
 
I am too. Should I put off buying the NC30 for the 5cf? C'mon my neighbor needs heat too.
 
Codeman812 said:
I am too. Should I put off buying the NC30 for the 5cf? C'mon my neighbor needs heat too.
Click to expand...
Let me know when you get the 5cf box one. I`ll send you some of my nice dry Western Red Cedar. There will be no need for you to post after you light-er up. We`ll be able to see the fireball for ourselves :p
 
sonnyinbc said:
I`m thinking that Droulet insert would no doubt be good for an overnite burn. At a grand the price is right too. .
Click to expand...


I think northern tools has this stove for 850?
 
johnnywarm said:
sonnyinbc said:
I`m thinking that Droulet insert would no doubt be good for an overnite burn. At a grand the price is right too. .
Click to expand...


I think northern tools has this stove for 850?
Click to expand...

I could be wrong but I believe they don't include the surround panels at that price if it matters.

As far as the Century Stove cracks go:
IMHO: There's no excuse for cracked welds on a plate stove except for a combination of a bad welder, bad supervision and bad quality control. No excuse whatsoever.
 
Kirk22 said:
johnnywarm said:
sonnyinbc said:
I`m thinking that Droulet insert would no doubt be good for an overnite burn. At a grand the price is right too. .
Click to expand...


I think northern tools has this stove for 850?
Click to expand...

I could be wrong but I believe they don't include the surround panels at that price if it matters.

quote]


You are correct.
Click to expand...
 
An $850 Drolet makes the $899 Century seem like a VERY BAD deal. The Century might be alright for $500, but why do all that work to put in a sub-par insert?
 
ScubaSteve said:
In this industry you get what you pay for. 99 % of the time and with wood burning products this is very true
Click to expand...

It is mainly true, although some stoves give you more bang for your buck.
Like the Drolet being ~ the same money for 150 lbs more stove. :coolsmile:
The Century is priced a bit high.
 
For the $242 it cost to take mine out the door I couldn't be happier. My wife is warm and my fuel bill is very, very low.

Matt and has a Century.
 
$242 is a good price, for any insert. Good deal.
You might not have been happy paying $900 for it, though.

Where did you find a stove that cheap???
:question:
 
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