Oldest Fireview???

What is the age of your Woodstock Fireview?

Anyone had to rebuild the stove, re-cement, etc.?

The Fireview is on my short list for the next stove and I'm courious as to how they are holding-up after many years of hard burning.

Sometimes I read of other stoves having to be torn-down and rebuilt or recemented, etc.

This next stove needs to be a lifetime stove and a homerun to boot. I am most impressed with my Keystone, but like the ash pan, top/rear venting options and would like to have a front door, in addition to the side door only for the purpose of making wiping down the glass a bit easier - especially if the stove is warm.

FWIW, the three stoves on my short list (subject to change at a whim on my part) are the Fireview, PE Summit Classic and VC Dutchwest XL Cat (which has everything I want - just not sure of it's ease of operation and reliability over the years). Another option is another Keystone.

Thanks!!
Bill

VCBurner said:

Hey Lee,

I can't speak for the other stoves, but the DW is not as finicky as some people may say. Raybonz has heated with his older DW since 1989, with only a couple of cats added to it. You need a tall chimney, 16' or over and good draft. I have the large. The price tag on those stoves is very light compared to some. They are said to offer the most bang for your buck (in that style stove.) But if I had to buy a new stove, I would seriously consider the Fireview. Although, the Blaze King King would be my first option, for a basement install. It would heat the entire house with less loading from down there. Good luck with your search!

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Not to hijack my own thread , but the DW is the stove to beat in my search. It is easy on the eyes, has a cat combuster, front and side doors, ash pan, top/rear vent and is convective with a blower option, a large firebox and minimal refractory compared to the VC Defiant models and I think a better reliability/track record too. The DW XL cat stove can be had for just under $2K, a very good price.

But.....

I am concerned with the dealer in my neck of the woods, some of the negative reviews I have read on Hearth.com and other websites - it seems to be a love or hate relationship with the DW stoves, more the hate on the non-cat versions vs the cat ones. The other thing that bugs me on this stove is that it requires an 8 inch chimney - not a problem since I will be installing a new one with this addition. Don't know if anyone has one hooked-up to a 6 inch chimney. My new install will be a stainless steel class A chimney type with double wall. It will be exterior on my house with an insulated chase around it to make it look more purty.

I have read your posts and Raybonz's too and they weigh heavy in my decision.

The bottom line is - I feel the Fireview will get the job done. Not having to rebuild or deal with a bone head dealer vs. Woodstock customer support can go a long way with me in terms of doing without an ash pan, easier front glass access and both top/rear vent set-up.

I'd just like to know how these Fireviews are holding up over the long term.

Thanks!
Bill

Backwoods Savage said:

I seriously doubt there has been a Woodstock stove that has worn out yet. We do know of some old ones that someone ran for a while and then for some reason quit. That could mean they just didn't like burning wood or moved or maybe even rebuilt a home and it was too large for their present stove. Lots of reasons but doubt any wore out.

Bobbin has an old one she is still using. Maybe we can get her to chime in on how old hers is.

While at the Woodstock factory I heard them ask someone to bring in an old stove so they could go completely through it and one fellow did tell me he had redone an old one by taking it apart and then resealing and re-gasketing it throughout. Said it looked like new when it left the plant.

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No doubt the Fireview is a great stove. My experience with the Keystone (once I got the air wash adjusted and a new chimney liner in place) has been terrific.

One thing I like about the Summit Classic is that it has N-S loading and a large firebox too. It is easy on the eyes and I think it is a great stove too. I wish it was a cat stove with both rear/top bent, but I just like that stove in that I think it is a quality stove out of the gate like the Woodstock stoves.

Thanks,
Bill