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Fisher Grandpa Bear or Garrison I?

Post in 'Classic Wood Stove Forums Pre-EPA (prior to 1988)' started by rparker, Oct 25, 2012.

  1. rparker Member

    joined: Jul 17, 2011
    198 posts
    Vermont
    Both appear to be in decent shape. Both around $500. Any thoughts?
    rparker, Oct 25, 2012
    #1

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  2. rparker Member

    joined: Jul 17, 2011
    198 posts
    Vermont
    or a new Englander 30-NCH for $899.00?
    rparker, Oct 25, 2012
    #2

  3. Snotrocket Member

    joined: Sep 17, 2011
    102 posts
    Maine
    The Englander.
    Snotrocket, Oct 25, 2012
    #3

  4. pen Super Moderator

    joined: Aug 2, 2007
    6,071 posts
    N.E. Penna
    Just to double check, this is the double door very large fisher?

    What kind of chimney are you working with? What kind of clearance to combustibles do you have to be concerned with? Is your wood really seasoned? (1 year split and stacked with good ventilation for many woods, 2 years for some like oak) What are your heating ambitions (full time, part time, etc)? What kind of floor layout do you have for the home/ square footage?

    All these factors play into the equation.

    pen
    pen, Oct 25, 2012
    #4

  5. rparker Member

    joined: Jul 17, 2011
    198 posts
    Vermont
    The fisher is the double door, large unit.
    Chimney is lined block and tile, interior chimney, good shape. Wood is mixed maple and ash, cut and stacked last winter/spring.
    This will be the primary heat for a large open plan living, dining, kitchen with cathedral ceiling (about 700 s.f. ).
    Leaning towards the Englander (new unit with blower).
    rparker, Oct 26, 2012
    #5

  6. pen Super Moderator

    joined: Aug 2, 2007
    6,071 posts
    N.E. Penna
    What the diameter of that interior chimney's tiles? If it's larger than 8x8, I'd throw a SS liner down it.

    I've very happy with my englander. I went from a fisher grandma bear to the the englander 30 and saved 1.5 cord of wood a year (from 5.5-6 down to 4 to 4.5). Also, the fisher was out before I got home from work, which meant I had a cold house and had to restart daily. The englander goes 12 hours between reloads so that's a non-issue now. I also get less creosote in the chimney, and have a great view of the fire. Win, win, win, if you fuel is good and seasoned.

    If you try and throw wood into the englander that isn't well seasoned, it will laugh at you.

    The fisher double door stoves were not as efficient as the single door units.

    pen
    pen, Oct 26, 2012
    #6

  7. Highbeam Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 28, 2006
    6,900 posts
    base of Mt. Rainier on the wet side, WA
    If you can wait until spring, the englanders usually go on sale. Prices have been in the 649$ range consistently including earlier this year. Brand new, warranty, fire view, UL listed, EPA certified,
    Highbeam, Oct 26, 2012
    #7

  8. rparker Member

    joined: Jul 17, 2011
    198 posts
    Vermont
    Thanks for the info. Wish I could wait but need to get this baby hooked up now. Looks like an Englander is in the immediate future.
    rparker, Oct 26, 2012
    #8

  9. Heavy Metal Member

    joined: Dec 12, 2009
    47 posts
    Hoosierland
    I think that's a great choice considering your getting a new, modern stove versus an older used stove for a only a few hundred dollars cheaper.
    Heavy Metal, Oct 26, 2012
    #9

  10. Heavy Metal Member

    joined: Dec 12, 2009
    47 posts
    Hoosierland
    I paid $50 to a sweet, 90 year old lady for my old stove I just refurbished. But it's something I HAD to have when I saw it and wanted to give her something for it. But short of a deal like that, there's no way I'd pay more than a couple hundred bucks for any older stove regardless of it's condition. You can buy a brand new wood stove, with blowers and with secondary burns for around $500, at Menards, Tractor Supply and a couple other hardware type stores in my area.
    Heavy Metal, Oct 26, 2012
    #10

  11. rparker Member

    joined: Jul 17, 2011
    198 posts
    Vermont
    Thanks for all the help. Just unloaded a new 30-NCH. Guess I'll be switching over to the new stove forum.
    rparker, Oct 26, 2012
    #11
    pen likes this.

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