soapstone stoves- should I buy

Got a make & model? Maybe some pics inside & out? Rick

Without knowing the make or model, one can only speak of generalities. Soapstone is slow to heat up, and slow to cool down. This gives a more gentle, even heat that is much appreciated by some. They can make great 24/7 burners, but their slow response times make them less desirable for just an occasional fire. They are made of, surprise!, soapstone - slices of rock if you will. Between the decade of use and the necessity of moving it you need to expect to go over the firebox very carefully and seal up any gaps in the cement. Before you buy, look for cracks or splits in the stone. These are not always a deal breaker as they can usually be replaced, but not always with an exact match. If it is a catalytic stove, then all the precautions concerning catalysts apply: look for broken refractory material, warped or broken cast fittings, and of course give consideration to the age and condition of the cat itself. If not a cat unit, then check the burn tubes. After 10 years they may well need replacing and may need some sealing cement.

This is not a comprehensive list, to be sure, but will get you started.

Mark

adrianrog said:

During a recent visit to a large stove retailer, I asked the owner how he liked the soapstone stove he was heating the shop with. He said that it was pretty, but that he didn't think it heated the shop as well as all steel or cast iron stoves he'd used previously. He guessed that the stones held the heat in and let it go up the chimney. He said that it sure was pretty though and that being pretty sold a lot of stoves.

-Adrian

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Soapstone stoves don't get as hot, it's true. But they stay hot much longer because the stones store up the heat and let it out gradually.

You've got to get a big enough soapstone stove to get the job done at the lower max stovebox temps. Heed the stove's ratings and as is typical get the next larger size.

A small or medium soapstone stove is a decoration. Go big for primary heat.

For sure check to make sure the stone is not cracked. If it has a cat, that probably will have to be replaced. For sure our stove is large enough to heat 1300 sq. ft.

But don't put much faith in the theory that soapstone is slow to heat up. It just is not so. Well, maybe if you count 5-10 minutes a long time... Slow to cool for sure. They do seem to hold their heat very well. They also do get good and hot if you treat them right and burn the right wood. However, if anyone was going to burn less than properly seasoned wood, I would stay away from them. If the wood is dry, you will love soapstone stoves. Of the two, Woodstock seems to have the least problems but they also have the best warranty/guarantee on the market. So if it is a Woodstock stove, you just might have a dandy there.

I have a soapstone and really enjoy it (it's purdy ) Hey someone on this forum did say to get a stove that looks good because it's a piece of furniture for half the year. As for heating, the stove does all I expected. I'd say it does better as the weather gets colder and I can keep it cranking. It's in the low 30's this morning, with sun and heading for the low 50's. So I have a couple small chunks going just to maintain a 300 degree stovetop. I could fill it up and get to the 400+ temp I really need to pour out that nice even heat - but I'm warm enough today. Overnight burns are not going to happen with my stove - it needs to be feed sometime between 11PM and 6 AM if you want to keep pouring out that heat. Otherwise it cools down to around 200, which still generates some heat but not enough to keep the 700 sq feet I mainly heat really comfortable (I do like things warm so you might enjoy 66-68 degrees where I would prefer 70-72 on a morning like this. ) I'd like to pop in a Woodstock with the cat converter and compare it to mine - just to see if it could extend burn times, save on wood, and keep the house warm longer - woodburners heaven!

Backwoods Savage said:

But don't put much faith in the theory that soapstone is slow to heat up. It just is not so. Well, maybe if you count 5-10 minutes a long time... Slow to cool for sure. They do seem to hold their heat very well.

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I agree. I love the soapstone and am very glad I spent the extra to get it. Mine is not a large stove (suggested for 1200) and I'm heating 4000 square feet with it. It is down to coals in the morning but the soapstone is still too hot to touch. What I like about it is you don't get the spikes in temperatures but a much more steady heat. And since the soapstone never cools down, you get heat right away from the sides and of course from the front right away.

Soapstone stoves are not necessarily slow to heat up, at all. I lit our Woodstock Fireview at 3:15, I engaged the catalytic combuster about 10 minutes later. It's now 3:45 and the thermometer on its surface reads 550 degrees (it's about 1100 degrees inside the firebox, double the surface reading). Trust me, they don't just hold the heat in the firebox and send it up the flue, lol. Our stove is rated to heat 1600 sq. ft.. Our's keeps 1200+ roasty-toasty with no trouble. The Woodstock Classic out in my workroom/studio is brand new and was purchased based on the stellar year-in, year-out performance of "old faithful". If we ever add another stove it will be soapstone, and most likely another Woodstock.

It's a great looking stove, but that's my own opinion. The posts above all give good things to look for in a used soapstone stove. I can tell you that our Fireview is now nearly 18 yrs. old and we have done nothing to it, it still performs flawlessly.

We do not burn "garbage" in our stoves. By that I mean, no green wood, no trash/household refuse. It's a woodstove, not a disposal unit. I believe that is one reason we've had to replace the catalytic combuster only 2 or 3 times in nearly 18 yrs.. And yes, aesthetics were very important to me ("girl thing") because it IS just another piece of furniture when it's not being used to warm your home.

bcnu said:

I have a soapstone and really enjoy it (it's purdy ) Hey someone on this forum did say to get a stove that looks good because it's a piece of furniture for half the year. As for heating, the stove does all I expected. I'd say it does better as the weather gets colder and I can keep it cranking. It's in the low 30's this morning, with sun and heading for the low 50's. So I have a couple small chunks going just to maintain a 300 degree stovetop. I could fill it up and get to the 400+ temp I really need to pour out that nice even heat - but I'm warm enough today. Overnight burns are not going to happen with my stove - it needs to be feed sometime between 11PM and 6 AM if you want to keep pouring out that heat. Otherwise it cools down to around 200, which still generates some heat but not enough to keep the 700 sq feet I mainly heat really comfortable (I do like things warm so you might enjoy 66-68 degrees where I would prefer 70-72 on a morning like this. ) I'd like to pop in a Woodstock with the cat converter and compare it to mine - just to see if it could extend burn times, save on wood, and keep the house warm longer - woodburners heaven!

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The Hearthstone Homestead is another stove we looked at before we bought the Fireview. We also looked at the Heritage really strong. We've not been sorry for buying the Fireview.

As for the difference with the cat, it is amazing. You can just let the fire smoulder if you want and still get a clean burn. As for wood, we cut our needs almost in half! And the best part is we stay much warmer in the house even though we use less fuel.

Hey backwoods - can the fireview be rear vented?

Mine comes straight out of the rear (as they all do) and through the wall, then up the side of the house. Works like a charm even in below zero weather.

Yes, it does have a cat but we don't have to clean up behind it nor feed it.

Just clean out the pan.

bcnu said:

I I'd like to pop in a Woodstock with the cat converter and compare it to mine - just to see if it could extend burn times, save on wood, and keep the house warm longer - woodburners heaven!

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I've done exactly that when I use to own the Homestead. The Fireview has a slightly larger fire box, but I have compared the Homestead and Fireview with similar loads and have found the Fireview to burn longer with more heat output. I also keep a close eye on wood consumption and found the Fireview to average about 1 cord less firewood per season than the Homestead did and my house is a few degrees warmer.

If the question is soapstone or not? then I would say look into the different manufactures of soapstone stoves. (see Cracked Stone on Tribute thread) I believe the wood-stock stoves are superior. (in my opinion)

Personally, I won't buy another stone stove.