Is now the time to buy a Woodstock PH?

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Thanks for all the replies. Another question. I see that many people posting here seem to be concerned with "over fire." With my big steel beast I have never even considered this risk. My stove will be in my basement, which is finished but I spend most of my time upstairs. Thus, I won't be able to "watch it". Is this over-fire business something to concern me? Will I need to keep an eye on it when its burning? Cause that's a deal breaker. I planned to put a damper in the pipe. Should that help?
 
Never have heard anyone concerned about overfire with a PH. They are very easily controlled stoves. Once you get the burn established and the air set low, you don't need to attend the stove until time to reload.
 
Overfiring any stove should be a concern because it can happen to any stove out there no matter what material it is made of.

Also, we must be concerned about the flue and chimney because these can be damaged by over-heating. In addition, and to me one of the worst cases is the fact that most folks seem to be burning less than ideal fuel. This causes some creosote problems. Get some creosote, get a super hot fire and then you can have a raging inferno inside your home. Just read some of the reports almost every area gets every year and see the homes that are burned beyond repair.

As for the damper in the chimney, I would not put one in if it were not needed. If you have an over-drafting situation, then a damper can help but not many face this situation. Other than the over draft, I see no reason for one. You can put one in, just in case, but I would not use it. Besides, if you have been burning okay without one then I don't see why you would think that you need one now.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Another question. I see that many people posting here seem to be concerned with "over fire." With my big steel beast I have never even considered this risk. My stove will be in my basement, which is finished but I spend most of my time upstairs. Thus, I won't be able to "watch it". Is this over-fire business something to concern me? Will I need to keep an eye on it when its burning? Cause that's a deal breaker. I planned to put a damper in the pipe. Should that help?

Doesn't matter what your stove is made out of . . . over firing is bad for them all. Over firing a steel stove can pop welds, damage the internal baffles, cats, etc. . . . same issues can be said about cast iron and stone as well . . . it's just plain bad for the longevity of a stove . . . even the older stoves. Run anything hard for too long and it will shorten its life.

That said . . . generally the problem I see with over firing is when folks are learning how to run their stove or do something foolish (and yes, I count myself in these two categories) . . . times such as loading the stove up with a lot of small splits and letting it go or running up the temps too high before I start to close down the air. What I have found is those times when I have gone higher in temp than I like is usually in the first half hour to hour after reloading . . . and again . . . it's typically because of some bonehead move on my part. Once the stove is "cruising" I don't see any issues.
 
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Thanks. I use my damper now. With my old stove that is about the only thing that keeps the heat from going straight out the chimney.

Ok, I do see how I could over-fire in my old stove, but it would require me to essentially space off after loading.
 
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There was one post a while back of a PH Overfire - It happened because the ash tray lever was josled loose during the burn. No stove could survive a loose ash tray - it makes things go nuclear.
 
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I think now is about a good of time as any to buy. The sale price is pretty good. The PH is my first stove, and I had it installed by an installer. I had the stove delivered to their shop, and they brought it over on the day of install. I didn't want to mess with trying to get it into the house. I was afraid that something would get broken. The install guys didn't charge any extra for bringing it over, and it made it a lot easier for us.
 
Was about to pull the trigger on a refurbished model....but the salesperson didn't realize that it was already spoken for. Bummer. It was the right color and door was on correct side.
 
That is pretty common. Any refurbished models usually go fast.
 
Black or Charcoal?

From the pictures, we were leaning toward charcoal. Woodstock tells me that the black stoves "soften" up over time so that they are closer to the charcoal color. However, do they only soften on the upper half of the stove, leaving the bottom or atleast the legs black. I have seen many steel stoves that have the upper 3/4 faded a bit and the lower 1/4 still pitch black.
I'm asking, partially, because they DO have black refurbs in stock. I'm also wondering what everyone's preference is.
 
Black or Charcoal?

From the pictures, we were leaning toward charcoal. Woodstock tells me that the black stoves "soften" up over time so that they are closer to the charcoal color. However, do they only soften on the upper half of the stove, leaving the bottom or atleast the legs black. I have seen many steel stoves that have the upper 3/4 faded a bit and the lower 1/4 still pitch black.
I'm asking, partially, because they DO have black refurbs in stock. I'm also wondering what everyone's preference is.
I picked out a new charcoal Fireview when we purchased... Why not ask if they can simply paint it to your liking? Charcoal.
 
I bought a refurb Keystone that was custom painted mahogany red. Not a color I would have chosen, but the wife liked it (WS emailed pics) and said it fit the decor. WS offered to repaint it for a small fee, but I decided to paint it myself if we decided the red didn't work. No regrets, great company to deal with.
 
I bought a refurb Keystone that was custom painted mahogany red. Not a color I would have chosen, but the wife liked it (WS emailed pics) and said it fit the decor. WS offered to repaint it for a small fee. . .
Yeah, I think the custom paint fee was $75 a few years ago. This would cut into your refurb savings, but you'd still save several hundred $, I think, and you'd get to choose from ~35 colors instead of just 5. ==c

I went with charcoal, but if I had known about *all* of the paint colors available, I might have chosen "leather" dark brown. One thing to consider is that the standard black is a matte finish, and I think all of the other colors, at least the 4 standard ones, are glossy + have a lil' extra sheen, probably the reason for the "metallic" designation.

http://forrestpaint.com/index.php?page=high-temp-aerosol-paint

http://www.woodstove.com/custom-color-stove-gallery

http://www.woodstove.com/howto
What if I’m not sure what color I want for the cast iron?
The castings on our stoves are available in five standard colors: Matte Black, Charcoal, Metallic Blue, Metallic Gray, and Metallic Brown. These can be viewed in our Stove Gallery on the web site. Custom colors are also available at a modest additional cost. We’ll gladly send you a color card with paint swatches of every stock or custom color. By the way, we'll paint your pipe to match your stove at no extra charge.
 
I think charcoall is a matte finish, too. :) It's a very dark grey, the one I have, has no gloss.
 
I have light gray...had it in the Fireview too ...and love it. I suspect you'll probably come to like any color you get. If you want to save the $75 now, get what is available. You can always spray paint the stove yourself in an off season at any time. The cans of paint are a lot less than $75.00.

You could also see if they think they are likely to have more refurbished PHs before next heating season, and reserve one in your desired color, if they are. You could set a deadline, like if you don't have my color by July, then I want one that you do have at that time......

I have no idea if they expect to have more refurb PHs before the next heating season.
 
I would not let the color persuade my decision on this. If you want a refurbished stove, get what they have and be happy.
 
I think charcoal is a matte finish, too. :) It's a very dark grey, the one I have, has no gloss.
Maybe glossy is the wrong word, but the charcoal paint reflects light, as seen on the painted stove pipe in the pic on this page.

http://www.woodstove.com/progress-hybrid

Standard "woodstove black" has a kinda chalky finish to it, and does not bounce light like that. I assume that this is what WS is referring to when they call the paint "matte black," and what Stove Bright refers to as "flat black." I'm not saying that the other colors are especially shiny, just that the black is less so.

Note: Stove Bright actually lists 3 blacks: Flat, Satin, Metallic.
http://forrestpaint.com/index.php?page=high-temp-aerosol-paint

Maybe the charcoal would be best described as a satin finish, not glossy, but not flat. :)
 
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4) Should I make any specific request regarding the stone...if I buy new? (some looks too blue) My hearth is red, charcoal....earthy.
The stone darkens after several burns. I wouldn't worry about it being "too blue."
 
Its DONE! Ordered a blue refurbished Progress today. They will paint it charcoal for me. I hope it gets real cold at the end of April so I can burn in it once or twice. :) Ordered the pipe too. Looks like their thermometers are pretty reasonably priced. Are they the way to go?
 
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Its DONE! Ordered a blue refurbished Progress today. They will paint it charcoal for me. I hope it gets real cold at the end of April so I can burn in it once or twice. :) Ordered the pipe too. Looks like their thermometers are pretty reasonably priced. Are they the way to go?
Sweet! :cool: Go ahead and burn it, even if it's not cold; Just open a few windows. ==c
All their stuff, parts included, is reasonably priced. The Woodstock (Condar) stove thermo that came with my Fv is pretty accurate according to the IR gun. Do they have a combustor probe for that stove, too?
 
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I just ordered one of the black refurbished Fireviews that were spoken of. In regards to the bright blue color in some stones, has anyone ever heard of someone oiling there stove similar to what is done to soapstone counter tops? I do not think I would do so even if it is safe practice, as I think the stones will fit in with their natural finish, I just though it would look neat.
 
What happens to oil when it is 600 degrees? Probably nothing since we season cast iron fry pans....

The nice thing about the natural soapstone is it is so easy to take care of. Easy to buff away stains.
 
Its DONE! Ordered a blue refurbished Progress today. They will paint it charcoal for me. I hope it gets real cold at the end of April so I can burn in it once or twice. :) Ordered the pipe too. Looks like their thermometers are pretty reasonably priced. Are they the way to go?

I'd order a flue probe thermometer, and a rake if you haven't one.

Congratulations, welcome, and many years of toasty, happy burning!
 
Its DONE! Ordered a blue refurbished Progress today. They will paint it charcoal for me. I hope it gets real cold at the end of April so I can burn in it once or twice. :) Ordered the pipe too. Looks like their thermometers are pretty reasonably priced. Are they the way to go?
Your going to love your stove... I agree with Woody Stover,, their parts are very reasonable for sure... plus their stoves are just beautifully built. You'll be impressed, I'm impressed with the whole Woodstock thing.:) Wait until you have a question and they're right there anytime you call,,, you'll love that!
 
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