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Review of Vermont Castings --- aspen 3 -- burning Wood only
Installation Type: Wood/Coal - Freestanding into metal Chimney
Date Reviewed: 2020-12-26 16:11:19

Satisfaction Ratings from 5 stars (best) to 1 star (worst)
Satisfaction with unit = ✰✰
Satisfaction with dealer = ✰✰✰✰✰
Satisfaction with manufacturer = ✰✰✰✰✰

Other Information about the Home and Stove
Room Size (Sq ft): 400 | House Size (Sq feet): 1200
Bought in 2019 , Price Paid: 1300
Location : Andes, New York 13731, United States
Purchased from: Stove Dealer - Chimney Sweeps

Likes: Small
Nice design
Simple and easy to use

Dislikes: No controls
Airflow is problem
Glass turns black instantly rendering it a useless feature

Comments: I bought this stove in 2020 and it is the newer version with the strict EPA required modification. I wanted to love this stove. I have a 25 yr old Vermont Castings stove that still works great and heats my cabin in subzero weather. There are three complaints I have about the Aspen 3. 1) The VC website claims that it burns for 10 hours which is not even close. Even with very dry fuel packed in the stove, I can get 6-7 hours max with minimal coals remaining. 2) The glass front turns black with soot right after lighting the fire and it does not burn off even when the stove is burning high. It burns off some but not enough to really enjoy seeing the flame, which was a real selling point for me. 3) The main concern is that after trying several tips suggested by the dealer, smoke still comes out the front when you open the door to replenish the wood. Smoke also comes into the room when trying to initially light the fire. I have tried priming the flue, using clean dry wood and opening the door slowly but nothing works. I have a straight flue this is properly installed so I am just living with this - not great. If it continues, I will consider replacing it.

* Dates that reviews were submitted were not recorded prior to Nov. 2004
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