Is this a decent wood stove?

I don't think all stoves are the same. Do you think they are? I know some cost more then others. Usually a higher price is indicative of a better quality product. Better materials better construction are part of the quality.Stoves are not the only product with varying prices. Homes , automobiles , clothing and numerous other items. You don't get a Porsche for a ford escort price. Is one better then the other?Will one last longer then the other? I suppose that's open to opinion .
I think you get what you pay for but thats my opinion. I just don't believe a $800 steel stove is the same or will operate the same or last the same or be the same quality as a $2500 cast iron stove.
But by all means feel free to believe whatever you want and spend your money on whatever you want.

Which is better:
Vermont Castings Defiant
England 30NC

I could only give you my opinion but I already did.

Price doesn't always dictate quality. Let's look at Woodstock soapstone stoves for example. They sell direct to the end user eliminating profits to distributors and stove dealers. This keeps the prices reasonable without sacrificing quality. Home Depot and Lowes and some other box stores also offer good value on the Englander stoves and other good stoves. Englander and Woodstock offer excellent customer support as well. As BB points out you can also buy used and some have bought rebuilt stoves.

Ray

I can tell ya I spent some big money on my Napoleons (both the 1900p and the NZ3000), and they are steel stoves that really amaze me to pieces. It'll be going on 5 seasons this winter and the 1900 heats my house like nobody's business. The NZ already has me impressed after a couple days of test firings, and it's very well built with a lifetime warranty on the firebox and quite a few of the internals. That's as good as anything for me. I guess the bottom line is there are pro's and con's to every stove, like the Ford/Chevy thing mentioned earlier.

As for Mike, he's got a rock-solid reputation (stove manufacturing aside). I've NEVER seen him advertise or promote his products. NEVER.

Back to the original poster, that air-cooled pipe from the old ZC fireplace needs to go. Get class A and never worry again. Take Mike's advice and talk with him before you proceed.

So, you're trying to tell me that the VC stove is well worth the extra $1500 to $2000? Even with the more expensive upkeep? The quality control issues that VC has had? The labor intensive maintenance (that is beyond the ability of 99% of the owners out there)?

How about the fact that I was able to pick up a 5 year old VC Defiant for $400? Is that a true indicator of quality and value that a stove that went for $2,700 new could be had for $2,300 discount?

And, I am assuming the Blaze King steel stove that goes for $3,500-$4,000 is better than any cast iron stove available as you will be hard pressed to find a cast iron stove more expensive on the East Coast.

I'm not trying to tell you anything. I simply stated my opinion. I hope that's OK.

Opinions are fine and welcome as this is how we learn things.. I assume you're in the market for a stove BD?

Ray

I like how you threw a bunch of insults, claimed the issue was black and white, and then when examples are made to highlight how your statements are wrong, you throw up the "I simply stated my opinion."

Your opinion was insulting and offered a lot of poor information. Also, calling the poster "Duh" wasn't cute or entertaining. Stop being an ass.

BD, you can't deny that BBar has a valid point. Let's get this post back on the rails for the OP's sake so he don't burn his house down.......

Water under the bridge, as they say.....

Apparently I missed part of this thread.. I see what you mean now..

Ray

Yes price doesn't always dictate quality but most time it is an indicator of quality. You wouldn't expect to pay the same for a cord of pine as you would a cord of oak. I'm not saying buy the most expensive stove , but don't buy the cheapest stove you can find and think its as good as any other if you are buying new.
You can find used stoves on Craiglist and such places. Some at very discounted prices. Could be many reasons for that from lack of knowledge on operating to personal problems.

Ok you're right. I am wrong. The earlier posts I made I made in haste and some bit of agitation. I tried to explain why and what bothered me , but according to you I'm an obnoxious ass. I will try to be better.
When I get irritated I don't try to be cute or entertaining. So I hope you can give me a break.

BD, you know where we go when we get irritated! Over to the Ash Can......