ChelseaFC said:Hey guys.
For months now I have been lurking on this site for information on everything "hearth". Its a great place for all things "hearth" related.
So I bought a Jotul Rangeley TL50 and so far plan on installing it myself in the next couple of months. I am in no rush as the winter is almost done and have plenty of time until next winter.
I have just two questions/comments, for now, for jrcurto:
1. The handle on the stove, does it get hot? I was having issues attaching my handle to the door and contacted Jotul directly. They told me that they are changing their design because in recent tests show the handle gets hot and actually charred the handle and I should forget attaching it anyway. How is your experiance?
2. I see that you placed a damper at the flue exit. That is my plan as well. I was wondering how you lined up the holes to secure the damper to the stove?
I just cant wait for this to be in place.
summit said:scuttlebutt is that Jotul is making another rangely that is front load only, no top door, at a lower price point for those who do not wish to have the top load feature.
IH3444 said:Well I finally purchased a Rangeley, and got a very good buy on it. One of the east coast Jotul Reps was at the stove store also, and I spoke with him for quite some time. He confirmed the rumor of the non top loading Rangely, but also stated that the demand for the Rangeley is absolutely "off the hook". I like that phrase, got it from this thread. Thanks! That the manufacturing of the TL50 just can't keep up with demand, and a non-TL is at least a year away. I personally like the option of the TL feature. He said firebox size is 2.6 cuft, and that the projected non-TL firebox size would be about 3 cuft. He told me that the stove is 100% United States manufactured steel. Very glad for that. That the stove is 3/8" thick steel formed firebox. I could reach in from the top, and by placing my hand to the side feel that there is substantial thickness to the sides. When I get more time I will perform a detailed measurement. He also stated that regular fire bricks are used, due to the fact that they are middle of the road with reflection of heat back into the firebox, to ensure a good complete combustion of the wood, and also the complete burning of the smoke gasses, to minimize not only the emissions, but also to product as clean as a burn as the stove is capable of. The firebrick must also transfer heat to the surrounding steel firebox, to ensure that the stove's BTU output is also as high as they can engineer to. He said Jotul didn't want owners to have to buy speciality bricks from them like some other manufacturers. That a stove owner could just purchase firebricks from local suppliers, and install themselfs as needed. He said that the stove's weight is 575 pounds. Wheeeee, what a stout unit, and does add credibility to the 3/8" plate thickness of the welded firebox. The top cast stainless steel is very thick also, looks to be 1/2", with multiple thick ribs underneath. I just can't see it warping. Overall the stove is absolutely beautiful, and the build quality is just stellar. It looked to be better built that the Oslo next to it. He said that the Most Senior Research Stove Designer who quit Vermont Casting, and came to work at Jotul is the designer for the Rangely. And what an outstanding job he has done on this unit. It has everything going for it. Designed by a Grand Master Stover with decades of experience with design. Build quality is second to none in the industry. Extreme heavy, battlefield survivability construction. Top of the shelf quality material, and components. It's not a cheapO to purchase, but it appears to be a lifetime stove. I predict 20 year easy, most likely 30 year plus unit. The rep was telling me they still get calls for parts for Jotuls sold in the 1960's, that are still going strong. It was such a pleasure to speak with him, and gleem some real insight of stove design, and manufacturing from him. What a great position he has being a rep for Jotul.
IH3444 said:Well I finally purchased a Rangeley, and got a very good buy on it. One of the east coast Jotul Reps was at the stove store also, and I spoke with him for quite some time. He confirmed the rumor of the non top loading Rangely, but also stated that the demand for the Rangeley is absolutely "off the hook". I like that phrase, got it from this thread. Thanks! That the manufacturing of the TL50 just can't keep up with demand, and a non-TL is at least a year away. I personally like the option of the TL feature. He said firebox size is 2.6 cuft, and that the projected non-TL firebox size would be about 3 cuft. He told me that the stove is 100% United States manufactured steel. Very glad for that. That the stove is 3/8" thick steel formed firebox. I could reach in from the top, and by placing my hand to the side feel that there is substantial thickness to the sides. When I get more time I will perform a detailed measurement. He also stated that regular fire bricks are used, due to the fact that they are middle of the road with reflection of heat back into the firebox, to ensure a good complete combustion of the wood, and also the complete burning of the smoke gasses, to minimize not only the emissions, but also to product as clean as a burn as the stove is capable of. The firebrick must also transfer heat to the surrounding steel firebox, to ensure that the stove's BTU output is also as high as they can engineer to. He said Jotul didn't want owners to have to buy speciality bricks from them like some other manufacturers. That a stove owner could just purchase firebricks from local suppliers, and install themselfs as needed. He said that the stove's weight is 575 pounds. Wheeeee, what a stout unit, and does add credibility to the 3/8" plate thickness of the welded firebox. The top cast stainless steel is very thick also, looks to be 1/2", with multiple thick ribs underneath. I just can't see it warping. Overall the stove is absolutely beautiful, and the build quality is just stellar. It looked to be better built that the Oslo next to it. He said that the Most Senior Research Stove Designer who quit Vermont Casting, and came to work at Jotul is the designer for the Rangely. And what an outstanding job he has done on this unit. It has everything going for it. Designed by a Grand Master Stover with decades of experience with design. Build quality is second to none in the industry. Extreme heavy, battlefield survivability construction. Top of the shelf quality material, and components. It's not a cheapO to purchase, but it appears to be a lifetime stove. I predict 20 year easy, most likely 30 year plus unit. The rep was telling me they still get calls for parts for Jotuls sold in the 1960's, that are still going strong. It was such a pleasure to speak with him, and gleem some real insight of stove design, and manufacturing from him. What a great position he has being a rep for Jotul.
IH3444 said:Not that this stove is bad . . . but I would find it hard to believe that one would find the Oslo to not be built as good as this stove . . . the Oslo is near bullet proof when it comes to build quality and reliability.
I'm glad to read that. Jotul looks to be a premium stove builder, on all their models. I know that there is risk with purchasing any new model stove. What looks great up front, may turn to being not the long term one had hoped it to be. I do have some resevations with all the doors, and their rope seals. The front, the top, and then the interior door which flips to allow top loading. I hope they don't give me any problems in the future, and especially hope the interior door doesn't warp. A lot can be said for a tried, and true stove as the Oslo is, and it's simplistic design, and minimum mechanical doors. Only time will tell if I made a good decision, or have to replace the Rangeley.
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