45 yr old wonder wood stove

[Kiltedlas]

I have a 45 yr old Wonder wood stove that has been wonderful but this past winter I noticed rt up front there is part that was welded and has broken free inside of the stove where you put the wood. It's pretty extensive. Is this something that can be rewelded or is it just better to buy a new wood stove? This is my primary source of heat in the winter and I hate the idea of spending so much money on a new stove BUT I want my family safe and if buying a new stove would be safer would rather be safe.

Lynnette R Mitchell

 

[stoveliker]

You'd need to post pictures.

Regardless, a new stove would likely save a lot of wood.

 

[begreen]

After 45 yrs of service, the stove owes nothing. That's an exceptionally long run. The stove would have to be examined closely, perhaps out of the cabinet, to make sure there is no other deterioration occurring. If the firebox is starting to breakdown, then the stove must be replaced.
The Wonderwood is still made. Tractor Supply sells them.
(broken link removed)

 

[brenndatomu]

That may be 5-10 times the lifespan that most wonderwoods had!
But I tend to agree...if you got along with it so well, then I'd buy a new one...or used, you see them on fbmp and cl for sale all the time, often pretty cheap...anything made since 2017 with be the newer more efficient EPA version...which I have a friend that has one and they like it a lot