warming shelves

affenpinschermom · Mar 2, 2008

We are building a new home and are looking for a woodstove. We've had an older Vermont Casting Vigilant stove for over 20 years and loved it, but we've sure not heard much positive about their new stoves and are reluctant to buy another. We love the warming shelves on a woodstove and very few models carry them. So, we were wondering if anyone has ever found a warming shelf that fits the Hearthstone or Woodstock soap stones. is there any way to retrofit a warming shelf from another manufacturer to one of these?
I'd appreciate any feedback. It is the only thing holding us back from buying a soapstone stove. Has V.Casting worked out the problems they were having?

begreen · Mar 2, 2008

The VC catalytic stoves are still good heaters by most reports. But there are other stoves with warming shelves that you might consider. How large a house will this be?

Quadrafire makes warming shelves for the Isle Royale stove. Morso too makes them for some of their stoves. The 3610 is a nice big heater that has this option.
http://www.quadrafire.com/Products/Wood_Burning/Wood_Model.asp?f=IsleRoyale

Pacific Energy has a unique design with their cast iron jacketed Alderlea series. The top trivet swings out to make warming shelves, but they can be swung in over the top for a more compact look in the summer or when you don't need them. It's a pretty nice design.
http://www.pacificenergy.net/product_alderleaT5.php

affenpinschermom · Mar 2, 2008

We will be heating 2500 sq. ft. It is designed with an open concept for wood heating, super insulated, but with cathedral ceilings. I've not had any experience with either the Quadfire or the Morso. Are they both good stoves? I have heard that V.Casting is being sold once again and that makes me even more reluctant to buy one. You say that VC catalytic is still a good heater, how about the non catalytic?

babalu87 · Mar 2, 2008

I have the 3610 and love it. Morso has been building stoves since 1850.
If you do get one put the warming racks on BEFORE installing the stove.
The top of the stove needs to be removed prior to installing the warming racks. Stove is all gasketed so its not a difficult job.

begreen · Mar 2, 2008

Morso and Quadrafire are excellent brands of stoves with many loyal users.

Sorry to say that the downdraft VC stoves are proving to be somewhat fussy and often disappointing stoves. We have a few folks that have the ideal flue setup and are getting good results, but we also are hearing several complaints.

swestall · Mar 2, 2008

Don't forget to look at the PE Aldera series, it has warming shelves that open up and expose a cook top as well. And, they are great stoves.
Read the other post on this site about Vermont Castings "rumors"....

elleninpa · Mar 5, 2008

I don't know what manufacturer PE is (?)

begreen · Mar 5, 2008

elleninpa said:
I don't know what manufacturer PE is (?)

snip - from above post:
Pacific Energy has a unique design with their cast iron jacketed Alderlea series. The top trivet swings out to make warming shelves, but they can be swung in over the top for a more compact look in the summer or when you don’t need them. It’s a pretty nice design.
http://www.pacificenergy.net/product_alderleaT5.php

sgsstat · Mar 8, 2008

If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

We burned 2 non-EPA stoves (Jotul 118 and Upland 207) for 28 years for 100% of our heating. Both provided hassle free heating in upstate NY. In fall we replaced the Upland with a new Morso 3610. The experience has been less than satisfactory. While the new stove heats the 1st and 2nd floors (1750 sf) adequately on the coldest nights (-20F) with large loads, but we find it does NOT do well with smaller loads when the weather is warmer (30-40F).

I posted here in December about the frustrations and a number of replies suggested we line the 20' 8x8 ceramic flue with 6" stainless to improve the draft. Draft had NEVER been a problem with either of the non-EPA stoves. That would be a $1000 experiment added to the $2000 cost of the stove. Throwing good money after bad???

As the heating season is winding down, our plans are to rebuild the Upland and sell the Morso in summer.

One thing I wonder is if an EPA stove using a catalytic converter might not be a better idea because the flow patterns probably are "straighter" than a non-cat stove. My uncle has a Vermont Castings catalytic and it seems to burn more like our older non-EPA stoves than the Morso 3610.

If your VC is in good shape, my advice is If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

bbc557ci · Mar 8, 2008

sgsstat said:
If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

We burned 2 non-EPA stoves (Jotul 118 and Upland 207) for 28 years for 100% of our heating. Both provided hassle free heating in upstate NY. In fall we replaced the Upland with a new Morso 3610. The experience has been less than satisfactory. While the new stove heats the 1st and 2nd floors (1750 sf) adequately on the coldest nights (-20F) with large loads, but we find it does NOT do well with smaller loads when the weather is warmer (30-40F).

I posted here in December about the frustrations and a number of replies suggested we line the 20' 8x8 ceramic flue with 6" stainless to improve the draft. Draft had NEVER been a problem with either of the non-EPA stoves. That would be a $1000 experiment added to the $2000 cost of the stove. Throwing good money after bad???

As the heating season is winding down, our plans are to rebuild the Upland and sell the Morso in summer.

One thing I wonder is if an EPA stove using a catalytic converter might not be a better idea because the flow patterns probably are "straighter" than a non-cat stove. My uncle has a Vermont Castings catalytic and it seems to burn more like our older non-EPA stoves than the Morso 3610.

If your VC is in good shape, my advice is If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

I believe we've spoken, sgsstat :coolsmile:

Being a newb to burning wood I've never really burned a pre-EPA stove. But, from what I've read on this site, it seams the main differences between the pre-epa and post/present stoves are air in, and air out. And of course the baffels and such for the secondary burn.

It sounds like the EPA stoves are MUCH more sensitive to draft, and air feed. Seems too they like and need PRPOERLY seasoned, dry wood. I know with my PE, after loading up and closing the door it takes a while for the fire to get roaring. So usually I'll load up then leave the door open a crack for a few minutes. Once the chimney temp is at 200-250 or so, I shut the door and off she goes.

I can understand why some like their pre-epa stoves. Sounds like they're more forgiving and just easier to operate overall. More stuff/technology added to something, generally the fussier it is :-/

Just a newb thought ............

begreen · Mar 8, 2008

sgsstat said:
As the heating season is winding down, our plans are to rebuild the Upland and sell the Morso in summer.

If your VC is in good shape, my advice is If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

If you're going to sell it, my advice is to hold onto the Morso until fall. It will bring a higher price once there's a chill in the air.

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