We are presently planning on installing a new wood stove. We have decided (I think) to get a soapstone stove this time and get rid of our old Ashley, which has served us well for nearly 30 years. However, we are undecided whether to get a Woodstock Fireview or a Hearthstone Heritage. Would appreciate any thoughts on this. btw, we live in an old mobile home and have heated it entirely with wood heat since 1979. Yes, we used wood heat before this too and both my wife and I grew up with wood heat.
Also, my wife is concerned about the finish on the soapstone. Because she like to warm food on the woodstove she is afraid that the stone will scratch very easily. I understand we can put a trivet under any pots, but won't the trivet also slide and cause scratching?
How long do these soapstone stoves last?
What are the pros and cons of these stoves?
Because of our home, we use a metal chimney and the pipe runs out through the wall and no the roof. (We have a peaked roof over the mobile home.) One concern is the amount of horizontal pipe. With the Woodstock stove they recommend being further from the wall (15") than the Hearthstone (7"). This is with the rear heat shield. We also have a double wall behind the stove with a dead air space between the two. The 15" sounds like it might give us too much horizontal pipe, but how much can you use without this being a problem?
We also live in the woods, so trees are a problem because they are close. Our chimney raises 10 feet from the elbow outside. Do you think this might cause more problems with a soapstone stove than with another type? I ask this because I've read this on the Internet. Some claim draft issues are greater with the soapstone stoves.
We'd like to stay away from the catalytic stove, but should this not be a concern? Would you burn less wood using a catalytic stove than one without the catalyst?
Woodstock says they use two layers of stone; 3/4" and 1 1/8" but I can't find what the thickness of the Hearthstone is. Does anyone know? Also, is there an advantage of two layers over one? Can this stone be replaced yourself if it cracks?
For a hearth, all we've ever used is slate under the Ashley. Can we still get by with that?
We probably will have more questions and any help you can give will be appreciated. btw, this is my first post on this forum.
Also, my wife is concerned about the finish on the soapstone. Because she like to warm food on the woodstove she is afraid that the stone will scratch very easily. I understand we can put a trivet under any pots, but won't the trivet also slide and cause scratching?
How long do these soapstone stoves last?
What are the pros and cons of these stoves?
Because of our home, we use a metal chimney and the pipe runs out through the wall and no the roof. (We have a peaked roof over the mobile home.) One concern is the amount of horizontal pipe. With the Woodstock stove they recommend being further from the wall (15") than the Hearthstone (7"). This is with the rear heat shield. We also have a double wall behind the stove with a dead air space between the two. The 15" sounds like it might give us too much horizontal pipe, but how much can you use without this being a problem?
We also live in the woods, so trees are a problem because they are close. Our chimney raises 10 feet from the elbow outside. Do you think this might cause more problems with a soapstone stove than with another type? I ask this because I've read this on the Internet. Some claim draft issues are greater with the soapstone stoves.
We'd like to stay away from the catalytic stove, but should this not be a concern? Would you burn less wood using a catalytic stove than one without the catalyst?
Woodstock says they use two layers of stone; 3/4" and 1 1/8" but I can't find what the thickness of the Hearthstone is. Does anyone know? Also, is there an advantage of two layers over one? Can this stone be replaced yourself if it cracks?
For a hearth, all we've ever used is slate under the Ashley. Can we still get by with that?
We probably will have more questions and any help you can give will be appreciated. btw, this is my first post on this forum.
