Advice on Used PE Vista 2001

[ThomBoz]

I'm new to wood stoves, one year experience. I just found a used 2001 Pacific Energy Vista for 500.00. It looks to have had little use. The SS baffle is dark on bottom, but SS steel looking on the top when viewed thru the chimney hole. Is this a good buy? Have they changed much since then? What kind of burn times might I expect on our NoCal coastal 'extreme cold' 38 degree nights?
I currently have a 93 Regency in good condition that has a smaller firebox than the Vista and can't get much more than 3 hours out of it.
My chimney is 14" from bottom of firebox to top. I have burned both hard an soft woods from a mix of dry and not so dry wood (that I get for 80.00/cord for being over 58 from the senior center/county jail system!)

 

[ThomBoz]

One more question, I downloaded the intallation & operating instructions, but found no info on particles out the chimney, anyone know where to find that info?
Thanks,
Thom

 

[jeff_t]

Not sure about the Vista, but I think it should have an insulating blanket on top of the baffle?

Not sure on the numbers. Call PE? Are there any archived EPA docs available?

It probably on okay buy, but it is a very small stove. Probably won't burn much longer than what you have.

 

[begreen]

The Vista is a decent 1.5 cu ft stove. It's baffle is a stainless steel box with the secondary air in the bottom and enclosed insulation blanket on top. Burn time will depend on the wood. Expect 4-6 hrs with softwood, 5-7 with hardwood. If the stove has seen little use, the price is fair. You can find the manual here:
(broken link removed to http://www.pacificenergy.net/products/wood/stoves/vista/)

Burning dry wood is the key to getting good performance out of modern stoves. Semi-seasoned wood is bound to disappoint. Can you buy wood now for next fall and stack it off the ground on pallets with the top covered?

 

[ThomBoz]

Thanks for the advice. It does have the thermal blanket, not sure what shape its in. I appreciate the instructions, I'll remove the SS baffle and see what kind of shape its in. Thw written directions sound a bit confusing, but I'm sure I'll figure it out

 

[ThomBoz]

I picked it up today, got it installed and fired up. The fire box is 1/4" wider (18.25"), 1/2" deeper (12.5", and 2 " higher (11"). This makes a huge difference. I can easily get twice as much wood in it.
I did remove the baffle to inspect before buying. It appears to me to be made of plate steel, not SS.
Compared to the '93 Regency, it does not have the same build. The Regency has a much heavier door (and more sight glass), ash tray, and places to pick it up. The Vista has a heavier top plate. The Vista also does much more interesting things with the flame, puts out noticeably more heat. I hope it lasts much longer. I got a good fire going 90 minutes and and turned it all the way down 30 min ago. If anyone replies, I'll let you know how long it lasts tomorrow.
Thanks for the help.

 

[begreen]

Good news. Let us know how she burns for you. You could be right on the baffle. It is stainless on the Super and Summit. Thought it was also ss on the Vista, but could be wrong. Tom (@thechimneysweep) would know. There should be a thin gasket around the secondary tube that inserts into the baffle. You might want to pick some up from a PE dealer or order some online to seal that connection. Or you could make your own out of some 1/4 or 3/8" gasket rope.

 

[ThomBoz]

Thanks, I read about the little gasket, I have some rope & glue but also want to order a new blanket so I'll probably get that too. I know the new Vistas are SS baffled, but mine is old, I'm pretty good with metals and pretty sure its welded up steel.
It was soo easy to keep it going last night, just threw a log on every few hours. This morning, 9 hours later, the coals were out, but the stove was almost to hot to touch. I'm very happy with it. I think if I had better wood and loaded it more, it would have lasted all night.

 

[begreen]

Great. PE makes nice stoves.