So....we're in the market for a wood stove. Never owned one, so while we're in the middle of a living room remodel, we figure we'd like to add that to the mix. The heat would be nice, and hopefully more affordable. Wood is plentiful in our area, so the stage is set....our home isn't monstrous, but at 2400ish sq ft, a larger stove would be what we'd be aiming for.
We've been looking around for a good deal, and think we may have found it, but I'd sure appreciate your input on the matter -
I've run across a brand new, never been installed nor fired Vermont Castings Defiant, Model 1910. It's a catalytic model, and comes with 8' of DuraVent 6" single wall and 9' of double wall chimney pipe, as well as the ceiling box and chimney cap. All brand new never been installed as well. Stove is the baked enamel finish (is that what it's called?), and looks to be just as described. Supposedly has a loose leg - that's the one thing not perfect with it, and has no additional pieces (i.e., front screen, side wings, etc.).
According to the seller and his conversation with the local dealer, the model number places this at about 2002 year model.
The entire lot of it is priced below $600.
I've read many reviews on this stove (here and elsewhere), and they range from amazing to not so amazing. It appears that the VC company in general has been through all sorts of transition in recent years, and may still be shaking things out. This stove is/was an anchor to their establishment, but this is a newer model with the cat. and all.....so I'm on the fence.
My question is this: knowing that we're first-time burners, with no real experience - BUT keeping in mind that we're on a tight budget (and who isn't, these days) - is this worth taking the plunge over? According to some reviews, this stove is a homerun, with long burn times and great steady heat....but others say it's a fickle stove that can be expensive to repair. At under $600, is it worth the gamble?
I'm inclined to buy it before it gets away, and even if the stove isn't the right fit for us, I think I could sell the stove alone for the asking price - and I'd have my chimney pipe for basically nothing!
What are your thoughts? I'm very anxious to know what you think....
We've been looking around for a good deal, and think we may have found it, but I'd sure appreciate your input on the matter -
I've run across a brand new, never been installed nor fired Vermont Castings Defiant, Model 1910. It's a catalytic model, and comes with 8' of DuraVent 6" single wall and 9' of double wall chimney pipe, as well as the ceiling box and chimney cap. All brand new never been installed as well. Stove is the baked enamel finish (is that what it's called?), and looks to be just as described. Supposedly has a loose leg - that's the one thing not perfect with it, and has no additional pieces (i.e., front screen, side wings, etc.).
According to the seller and his conversation with the local dealer, the model number places this at about 2002 year model.
The entire lot of it is priced below $600.
I've read many reviews on this stove (here and elsewhere), and they range from amazing to not so amazing. It appears that the VC company in general has been through all sorts of transition in recent years, and may still be shaking things out. This stove is/was an anchor to their establishment, but this is a newer model with the cat. and all.....so I'm on the fence.
My question is this: knowing that we're first-time burners, with no real experience - BUT keeping in mind that we're on a tight budget (and who isn't, these days) - is this worth taking the plunge over? According to some reviews, this stove is a homerun, with long burn times and great steady heat....but others say it's a fickle stove that can be expensive to repair. At under $600, is it worth the gamble?
I'm inclined to buy it before it gets away, and even if the stove isn't the right fit for us, I think I could sell the stove alone for the asking price - and I'd have my chimney pipe for basically nothing!
What are your thoughts? I'm very anxious to know what you think....