Hearthstone Shelburne advice

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fran35

fran35

Member
Jan 10, 2011
157
PA
I have found a used Shelburne for sale, approximately 8 years old and asking $500. That seems like a fair price and the photos look like it's in decent shape. I am considering purchasing it, but I am not completely familiar with the brand or model. I have researched the forums and the best they I can deduce, it is a good stove from a manufacturer with a good reputation. While looks aren't everything, it is a beautiful stove. This will be a secondary stove to my englander 30, which is my workhorse (awesome stove, can't say enough good things about it). Please give me some advice on the stove, the named price, and common issues a stove of that age might experience. My frame of reference is the englander, which is a very simple device. I have researched buying a used VC and after some good advice (thanks Begreen) I ran from the combustion chamber rebuild.

As usual, thanks so much for the great advice
 
The shelburn is a simple stove. The difference will be that it's cast iron rather than steel like your 30. It wont throw tons of heat like you are used to.
I am not aware of any unique issues associated with the Shelburn, $500 sounds like a good deal to me. I've installed several and service a few annually, none have any issues that I've seen.
 
Just look it over really good. The Shelburne and Bennington started off being made in Europe and there were some problems with the castings and fit. Solved when they moved production but I don't remember when that was. I really wanted a Bennington years ago but couldn't make the installation work for me.

$500 is a great price for that stove in good shape.
 
Great stove for the 3 seasons i used it, not a single issue! I didnt wanna leave it when we sold the house.
Throws out a great deal of heat, i would get stove top up to 550 and it would cruise at 300 for a while. Secondary shows are wonderful and last a while.
500 seems like a good price, might need door seal. Not sure how many years a full rebuild would need to be done.

Good luck and look it over good
 
3 Years into mine, haven't found any inherent issues yet.

Supposed to be burned with the ash grate in the closed position. I would make sure the grate isn't warped seems like it could happen if you left it open. Ash door is a little funky too, just make sure it operates smoothly. I seldom use mine. It also seems to be a common thing for the air control to be a little sticky when all the way open, never been an issue, just something I, and others, have noted. Check the baffle for cracks and stones (they're soap stone not fire bricks).

I really like mine, steady consistent heat and long heat retention times. Burned a small handful of 2 x 4 scraps and topped it off with two small pieces of beach at 9 pm. Stove is still warm to the touch.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. I went and looked at the stove, it seemed in great shape. None of the firebricks were cracked and the interior was in good shape as well. My only question is about the baffle. I am used to the typical stuff that Englander uses, the super light and thin fiber board that is also extremely expensive. However, the baffle in this stove seemed to be made of soapstone or whatever material the firebricks are made of. I assume this is normal, and not an owner mod?
 
fran35 said:
Thanks everyone for the advice. I went and looked at the stove, it seemed in great shape. None of the firebricks were cracked and the interior was in good shape as well. My only question is about the baffle. I am used to the typical stuff that Englander uses, the super light and thin fiber board that is also extremely expensive. However, the baffle in this stove seemed to be made of soapstone or whatever material the firebricks are made of. I assume this is normal, and not an owner mod?
Click to expand...

May be an owner mod, mine had that light easy to break baffle. Did they day anythong about it? Are they the origanal owner?
 
P1060385 (1024x575).jpg My Shelburne was installed March, 2010. Never had any problem with it. I don't use the ash grate or the drawer...both stay closed all the time. Easier to just shovel out the ashes. I have the brown majollica finish, which doesn't have any crazing at all (although some say it happens). Because mine is at a cabin, not a year-round home, it gets less usage than others. With dry wood and experience in using it, I can get 8 hours sleep and still have the stovetop temp at 100-150 in the morning...not hot, but warmer than the room. It should do great as a secondary stove. Mine has the thin ceramic (?) baffle, but I'm very careful when loading and it is almost like new. Can't address price, as I bought mine new. (Sadie likes it, too...)

P.S. I said the baffle is thin...I really don't know, I never had it out. I do know it is white and feels somewhat coarse to the touch. It is original. You might call a dealer and ask how thick the replacement baffle is.
 
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The baffle is the ceramic board , the same as your 30. It's actually 2 layers. A lower and an upper board. I got my shelburne used for $500 as well ( blue black enamel). I had to replace the boards since the previous owner put their hand through it when moving the stove to my car. Also a shelburne that old should have regular firebrick, only the newer ones have the soapstone bricks. It's a good heater. There is a metal heat shield under the top so the top won't get as hot as other stoves. Normal temps are read about 500. But it will cruise at 350-450 for a long time. Mine doesn't like the air shut down all the way usually 3/4 is good. Also my air lever does get sticky as well, that's the only issue I have had with it.
 
jrems said:
The baffle is the ceramic board , the same as your 30. It's actually 2 layers. A lower and an upper board. I got my shelburne used for $500 as well ( blue black enamel). I had to replace the boards since the previous owner put their hand through it when moving the stove to my car. Also a shelburne that old should have regular firebrick, only the newer ones have the soapstone bricks. It's a good heater. There is a metal heat shield under the top so the top won't get as hot as other stoves. Normal temps are read about 500. But it will cruise at 350-450 for a long time. Mine doesn't like the air shut down all the way usually 3/4 is good. Also my air lever does get sticky as well, that's the only issue I have had with it.
Click to expand...

I put powdered graphite (for locks) on the air lever slide...works much more smoothly.
 
jrems said:
The baffle is the ceramic board , the same as your 30. It's actually 2 layers. A lower and an upper board. I got my shelburne used for $500 as well ( blue black enamel). I had to replace the boards since the previous owner put their hand through it when moving the stove to my car. Also a shelburne that old should have regular firebrick, only the newer ones have the soapstone bricks. It's a good heater. There is a metal heat shield under the top so the top won't get as hot as other stoves. Normal temps are read about 500. But it will cruise at 350-450 for a long time. Mine doesn't like the air shut down all the way usually 3/4 is good. Also my air lever does get sticky as well, that's the only issue I have had with it.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for the reply. I went and looked at the stove, as I said. Not sure on the baffle, but the secondary tubes look fine. If I have to buy a new ceramic baffle, I'm fine with that. However, I have never bought a used stove before. The stove seemed like it was in good shape, but honestly I am just worried about cracks. Not because of the appearance of the stove, but more because I tend to over analyze and would feel that way about buying any used stove. From everyone's experience, are cracks in cast iron a very rare occurrence and would be completely obvious to someone who was looking at the stove? My gut and mind is telling me this is a great deal on a beatific stove, but the over analyzer in me is thinking too much....am I over thinking this?
 
Your thinking too much. It's a great deal. If you check carefully you will see cracks. If it was overfired you would be able to tell. If you are really up for it the entire stove unbolts for disassembly. The stove is sealed by rope gasket between all the panels. It's not hard cement like a Vermont castings. This is also a good thing if you have to move the stove since the gaskets won't crack like cement will. The baffles were a little over $100 total for both. Is the one you are looking at enameled or paint?
 
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jrems said:
Your thinking too much. It's a great deal. If you check carefully you will see cracks. If it was overfired you would be able to tell. If you are really up for it the entire stove unbolts for disassembly. The stove is sealed by rope gasket between all the panels. It's not hard cement like a Vermont castings. This is also a good thing if you have to move the stove since the gaskets won't crack like cement will. The baffles were a little over $100 total for both. Is the one you are looking at enameled or paint?
Click to expand...
No, I wish but we're. It's matte black. Thanks for the advice. Sometimes I am a bit too conservative. This sounds insane, but I tend to look at a great deal too scrupulously - way more than I would if it were just an average or fair price.

At the end of the day, even if I have to replace gaskets and baffle boards, I am still way ahead.
 
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