Used Vermont Castings: is it right for me? How do I tell how old it is?

[TNCave]

Hello all,

I'm still undecided on a wood stove, and am looking at some used ones as most of the nicer stoves are out of my price range.
I saw a Vermont Castings Resolute listed in a local classified. I'm not sure what size stove this is, if it's EPA certified, how old it is, etc.
It is blue porcelain, and the current owner stated that it was in his house when he bought it 5 years ago, and he has never used it.

I'm assuming there is a manufacturing date somewhere, could you all point me in the right direction.

I'm heating a 1300 square foot cape cod style house with pretty good wall insulation, awesome (17" of blown cellulose) attic/ceiling insulation, but 70 yr. old single pane windows with storm windows.

I really want a stove that will heat the whole house, but will do it efficiently, I'm not looking for an old school smoker.

Thanks for any help you all can offer.

Cory

 

[webbie]

https://www.hearth.com/gallery/pics/woodcoal/source/oldresi.html
that is an old one.....with single door that swings down
https://www.hearth.com/gallery/pics/woodcoal/source/vc_resolute1.html
is an old one - with two doors

the new ones are called the Acclaim, and have a single swing-aside door:
https://www.hearth.com/gallery/pics/woodcoal/source/redacclaimhana.html

Notice the larger glass also.

There were some problems with longevity in the earlier Acclaim models, and parts to rebuild it can be costly. In general, unless you find a cream puff, it might be a used stove to stay away from.....

 

[dougand3]

The date code should be on the back...a plate or maybe in the cast iron. Usually 4 numbers. IIRC...Eg: 1130 means it was made on the 113th day of 1990. (But may be 130th day of 1991). I 've seen a bunch more of Year-Day of manufacture and remember think VC was odd doing it backwards - so, if I had to bet - I'd go with first one.

You can look at Resolute parts and see manufacture dates here:
http://www.stovepartsplus.com/Merch...=CTGY&Store_Code=SPP&Category_Code=VC-RES-ACC

 

[marreque]

i have a very good friend of mine who has this stove and he loves it. i would have to say his house is bout same size as yours. it does very well for him. by the way his is a non cat, bout 5 yrs old i think.