St Croix York Insert - What's the catch?

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Estarrio

Member
Nov 15, 2007
72
Mass / RI
I apologize in advance for being a pathological skeptic!

I was told by a dealer that the York model is being discontinued and they are offering a fairly deep discount on their "last models".

Being a skeptic, I've been searching the forums to see if there is a known defect or recall that is prompting the discounts.

Any feedback is appreciated! Is this generally a good unit? I noticed that some St Croix owners have complained about noisy motors but they seem to be reliable otherwise?

Thanks in advance!
 
I have a 2002 Pepin I bought used... freestanding model. This is my third season and it's been bulletproof. I bought it after the service tech at my dealer recommended a St. Croix...
 
St Croix makes a fine stove. I don't know why they are fazing out the York but sales must be off on that unit. I have a Afton bay free standing and it has been a great stove. I just cleaned it today after running without me touching it (except for pulling the exchanger rod and burn pot rod once a day) for 15 days, took 20 mins to completely clean and get back up and running. How much is the discount???
 
Thanks all...

@ woodsman23: It is 30% off the retail price.
 
Hey Woodsman, what pellets are you burning? I can't fit 15 days worth of ash in my pan with my current pellets. Penningtons. They have been burning good, good heat, no clinkers, but a bit ashy.
 
dbjordan said:
Hey Woodsman, what pellets are you burning? I can't fit 15 days worth of ash in my pan with my current pellets. Penningtons. They have been burning good, good heat, no clinkers, but a bit ashy.

I'd get them penningtons burnt and out of the way for sure. to me they were the worse for ash. I use lignetics 100% hardwood and i was burning AWF. The lignetics are by far the best pellet i have used with the rocky mountain a close 2nd then dry creek. After about 25 bags my ash pan is quite full and you know it is a big pan. I burn about 10-12 bags a week so after 25 bags i shut down to clean. Try some of the lignetics, the glass did not even darken up just a slight white haze.
 
woodsman23 said:
dbjordan said:
Hey Woodsman, what pellets are you burning? I can't fit 15 days worth of ash in my pan with my current pellets. Penningtons. They have been burning good, good heat, no clinkers, but a bit ashy.

I'd get them penningtons burnt and out of the way for sure. to me they were the worse for ash. I use lignetics 100% hardwood and i was burning AWF. The lignetics are by far the best pellet i have used with the rocky mountain a close 2nd then dry creek. After about 25 bags my ash pan is quite full and you know it is a big pan. I burn about 10-12 bags a week so after 25 bags i shut down to clean. Try some of the lignetics, the glass did not even darken up just a slight white haze.

I still have 2 tons of Penns to go through. Maybe next year! I burned Turmans last year, loved them, but they were only slightly less ashy than the Penns. The wife loved the smell of the Turmans. For the price I am very happy with what I bought, the extra cleaning on the Afton is no big deal to me.
 
dbjordan said:
woodsman23 said:
dbjordan said:
Hey Woodsman, what pellets are you burning? I can't fit 15 days worth of ash in my pan with my current pellets. Penningtons. They have been burning good, good heat, no clinkers, but a bit ashy.

I'd get them penningtons burnt and out of the way for sure. to me they were the worse for ash. I use lignetics 100% hardwood and i was burning AWF. The lignetics are by far the best pellet i have used with the rocky mountain a close 2nd then dry creek. After about 25 bags my ash pan is quite full and you know it is a big pan. I burn about 10-12 bags a week so after 25 bags i shut down to clean. Try some of the lignetics, the glass did not even darken up just a slight white haze.

I still have 2 tons of Penns to go through. Maybe next year! I burned Turmans last year, loved them, but they were only slightly less ashy than the Penns. The wife loved the smell of the Turmans. For the price I am very happy with what I bought, the extra cleaning on the Afton is no big deal to me.

Yes as long as it is throwing plenty of heat then the ash is no problem. I run my stove on 3 in thermostat mode all winter never any higher. This seems to be where it burns the very best. I love the stove it looks great and heats very well.
 
Hi,
I have owned a York Insert for about 5 seasons. They are a good stove but have some minor quirks in my opinion. The burn pot is small so expect to clean a lot more than you would a free standing. I have to empty ashes at least twice a day. The ashpans are small also. You will here other people tell you they only empty or clean once a week, but they are using a whole different animal. Being smaller can contribute to fussinest when it comes to what pellets burn. I have had nothing but problems with softwood type fuels and fuels that are not around the pellet institutes guidelines for size. Most of my friends can burn anything and don't notice a difference but my insert does. I bought mine used back when there was a 6 month waiting list for them. The only major problem I have had is that the igniter burnt out. I light it with a propane torch now.
We never used the fireplace much to begin with so the pellet insert was a great addition and has saved us tons of money on fuel oil. They have service manuals on line and do respond to emails also.
Dave
 
hi first time using this forum so bear with me....have had a york insert since 03 no problems until recently so went on web site to find a local dealer. the first thing i noted that since 03 there are no more remaining dealers..all new ones. called the closest one and had not familiarity with the older 03 model and had no concept of diagnosis. i called the distributor in new york and he walked me through the diagnosis which he stated was the analog control board.. the diagnosis was done 12/27 and i would have to order the new digital board from the local dealer. he ordered the board from the NY distributor on 12/28. the new board would require the rewiring of the entire stove. the distributor provided an illegible direction sheet. The local dealer did not take the initiative to call the mfr to get a clearer copy. i had to pursue a clear copy by calling the mfr and they did email a direction sheet. called the dealer an came to the house 6 days later at 5 pm and we both worked on the rewire till 9 pm and found out the directions were incomplete and the parts package was missing 2 crucial items so a month later think i have all the parts but remains to be seen till the dealer gets around to completing the service call .......lesson learned first see if the manufacturer will sell parts directly, second determine if dealers have had long term relationship wtih mfr, see if mfr has all the details on line, determine if there is pricing for all available parts, make certain that the local dealer has transman on staff, and see how receptive the service dept at the mfr is to question's and how fast they respond ....still trying to find out how much the digital circuit board is could have done the job myself but with 3 fused lower back discs and more going no can do but than again i helped the dealer move the stove and assisted in the incomplete directions
 
Estarrio said:
I apologize in advance for being a pathological skeptic!

I was told by a dealer that the York model is being discontinued and they are offering a fairly deep discount on their "last models".

Being a skeptic, I've been searching the forums to see if there is a known defect or recall that is prompting the discounts.

Any feedback is appreciated! Is this generally a good unit? I noticed that some St Croix owners have complained about noisy motors but they seem to be reliable otherwise?

Thanks in advance!
hi first time using this forum so bear with me….have had a york insert since 03 no problems until recently so went on web site to find a local dealer. the first thing i noted that since 03 there are no more remaining dealers..all new ones. called the closest one and had not familiarity with the older 03 model and had no concept of diagnosis. i called the distributor in new york and he walked me through the diagnosis which he stated was the analog control board.. the diagnosis was done 12/27 and i would have to order the new digital board from the local dealer. he ordered the board from the NY distributor on 12/28. the new board would require the rewiring of the entire stove. the distributor provided an illegible direction sheet. The local dealer did not take the initiative to call the mfr to get a clearer copy. i had to pursue a clear copy by calling the mfr and they did email a direction sheet. called the dealer an came to the house 6 days later at 5 pm and we both worked on the rewire till 9 pm and found out the directions were incomplete and the parts package was missing 2 crucial items so a month later think i have all the parts but remains to be seen till the dealer gets around to completing the service call .......lesson learned first see if the manufacturer will sell parts directly, second determine if dealers have had long term relationship wtih mfr, see if mfr has all the details on line, determine if there is pricing for all available parts, make certain that the local dealer has transman on staff, and see how receptive the service dept at the mfr is to question’s and how fast they respond ....still trying to find out how much the digital circuit board is could have done the job myself but with 3 fused lower back discs and more going no can do but than again i helped the dealer move the stove and assisted in the incomplete directions
 
Thanks for the info all...I ended up purchasing the insert - waiting for the building inspector to come by and sign off on the install...

It turns out that the York is not eligible for the tax credit. I'm unclear as to why...but the company affirmed that this was the case.

Instead of being eligible for the credit, they gave 30 percent off of the purchase price of the stove. So, really I am only out the third of the install prices. This is fine, as a I received a great deal that I could afford right away. Hopefully, the stove proves reliable.
 
Likely since the company was getting rid of that model they didn't want to incur the testing fees for certification by the EPA. That would prevent it from qualifying for the tax credit.
 
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