Hearthstone "Issues"

While trying to decide on a new stove, and finding this forum (which has been a real blessing), I have come upon a number a negative comments about the Hearthstone company and their stoves. I've also seen positive comments and people riding to the rescue of Hearthstone to make sure opinions are balanced, which I appreciate.

It was suggested on another thread to start this topic. If you are a Hearthstone owner and have had problems with quality control issues with your stove, could you post those issues, problems, comments and advice?

Hmm. No problems from anyone?

Okay, then. I'll take that as a major positive for Hearthstone.

Hello There,
My in-laws bought a Heritage three years ago and they've got nothing but great things to say. In fact, my wife and I have liked it so much we bought a Homestead, which will be installed this Thursday. I'll chime in later.

S

This is my second season with a Hearthsone Clydesdale. I love it. The only "problem" - I put it in quotes because I don't care about it, but want to fully disclose everything - is that one of my soapstones is cracked. On the Clydesdale, which is an insert, that doesn't matter because all of the stones are inside the fire box and are simply there to add thermal mass, so the crack doesn't affect performance. I'm sure I could get a replacement stone if I called the dealer.

BroadCove,
In the Heartstone manual, it says to expect cracks on the stone and that this should not affect performance. Is your stone cracked straight through or is it just surface cracks?

S

The stone is cracked all the way through, but it doesn't matter on mine (an insert, not a free-standing stove) because these stones aren't an integral part of the stove. The stones are just set inside the firebox - just like firebrick on other stoves. So, if I wanted to replace it, I could just call the dealer and get a new one under warranty and put it in.

Another second year Clydesdale owner weighing in.

Very satisfied with both the stove and the company. My only problem was that the blower became very noisy after a few months use - it was replaced under warranty with no hassle. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Hearthstone product.

love my mansfield. this is my second year with it and nothing negative to say. i was waiting all summer to be able to run it again!

My homestead hasn't arrived yet so I can't really add anything. Except that my problems were with dealers, not Hearthstone.

I have a Equinox , This is my second season and like it .
I don't think the spec are accurate for output ,and you need to get a larger stove then they recommend.
I think they burn alot of wood compared to other stoves 20% more . Wood is not really a issue with me but 3 cord to 41/2 cord could turn some people off.
My stove would burn out of control if i stuffed it with wood . I have a tall chimney .
I added a damper and fixed the problem.
I don't like the way the ash pan works and just scoop ash into a bucket .
Your wood must be very dry to get good heat .
I installed 5 stoves this year and every one is happy.
1 equinox 2 heritage 1 homestead and 1 tribute.
Only real issue we had is one blower motor did not turn on last week the dealer is swapping it out for me .
I like the fire view with the cat for a smaller stove , but my dealer doesn't sell them.

The HS has a large glass for viewing the fire , and when the EQ starts burning its very cool .
John

Another vote for Hearthstone here..

I only have experience with the Hearthstone Clydesdale going on a year. I was very happy with the 2008 model, so much so that I sold it and just purchased the improved 2009 model. I wouldn't have done so if not for the 30percent energy credit as the original was a great insert.

The thing heated my living space (approx 2000 SqFt) with ease raising the family room it's located in to 85 degrees and the Living Room, Kitchen and Dining Room to 75 and I don't run the stove hard, Maybe to 75 percent capacity max during the coldest part of the season. Yes, I do use well seasoned hardwoods and many have commented that it makes a big difference in overall performance..

John, the reason your dealer does not sell them is because they are only sold direct. That also is one reason that Woodstock has a 6 month guarantee.

As in a full refund if not totally satisfied - you won't see that anywhere else!

I'll let you know after I get mine installed this week! I can't wait. :cheese:

Soapstone is a fad and a gimmick and they look terrible.

What took you so long?

I have the Hearthstone Tribute (mini Heritage). It's a very pretty stove. Even the town mechanical and fire inspectors said it was pretty. It burns very clean (less than 1 cup of soot first annual cleaning) and puts out a gentle heat. After the fire dies out, the temperature continues to rise two to three degrees over the next couple hours. We don't have big temp swings. The fit and finish of the cast iron is excellent and the stones are nicely polished. I had a couple of questions prior to installing the stove and one after, the Hearthstone guy Jim Casavant always answers within a day. I'm very happy with my stove.

like a bright light and a moth, it's a thread about soapstone - it was only a matter of time... truth be told, they ain't for everyone. I'll admit that readily.

But the fella wants soapstone, let's let him get GOOD soapstone, eh?

Here are some issues I had with my old Hearthstone Homestead.
1. Ash pan leaked air at times and caused overfire, fixed this by taking the round ash grate out, filled ash pan with ash, and placed fire brick on top.
2. Air slide mechanism didn't slide well and got stuck.
3. Couldn't remove baffle.
4. Cracked side stone.
5. Door handle problems, fixed by dealer

Second season EQ here. Very happy with both preformance and looks. I came from a 22 yr Blazeking smoke dragon with outside tile 12" chimney. WOW last spring I opened the new insulated 8" liner up and NOTHING. You cant believe what I went thru for 22 years. And I agree I Was afraid of it being too hot. Not even close.

Hey Clydesdale owners, since some of you are weighing in on this hearthstone thread, I thought I would ask here - I love the look and idea of that insert but I have been wondering how it fits on a fireplace opening that is taller than the surround? Would I have to get a surround that would stick up on top? My fireplace opening is 36" wide but it's 32" tall which is a much taller rectangle than the rectangular surround seems to be. The surround is metal, right? Is there anything going on with the surround that helps with the heating, or does it just look kinda cooler than a straight up flat one?

Hearthstone issues. Well, I've pushed 12 cords through my heritage and don't have any issues. We love the stove and it works and heats exactly as advertised. Issues? Like bad things unique to Hearthstone? Well, none. It works just like it is supposed to. There was extra cement spooged into the inside of the stove when new. I did have to have a tech come out and do a little "fitting" to get the secondary manifold to fall into place when new under warranty of course. No cracks in stones, no broken door handles, just lots of warmth and nice looks.

Ill tell you the truth , Ive used Jb fire places in NJ for at least 20 years and if I install a stove or fire place it will be coming from them .
Ive seen a few fire views around and thought they were well made and efficient , I like a cat stove but I need a equinox to heat the house .
Im over 4000 sf and heat 3000 feet in the dead of winter Next year i want to add a large great room 800 sq fee and i mite get a second EQ to heat it . Its a shame the fire view is so small I think i can drive over and pick one up easy i think they are in wood stock NY 40 min away . John

I have a cast iron Hearthstone, the Shelburne, and love it. No problems at all, we use it for 100% of our heat and this will be our second winter with it. Great stove, I'm happy I went with it for our 1500 sq/ft home.

I'll take a beautiful stone stove over a big ugly metal black box any day!