There don't seem to be many reviews of the Buck 20 or Buck 80 catalytic stoves in the Stove Ratings & Reviews. Any feedback on them would be appreciated.
Buck 20 & 80
- Thread starter Ashful
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
- Status
I found it very hard to judge what to expect out of a Buck stove. I never got a good handle on burn times and the capabilities of their catalytic design. I was also frustrated that any decent size Buck required an 8" liner/pipe.
I spoke with a couple of representatives from Buck and still couldn't come up with much in terms of being able to compare them to other stoves. It seems like all of their stoves run like non-cat stoves. Burn times seem to be shorter than expected and the cat controls seem vague.
I would put their cat design in behind VC, which I admit is behind Woodstock and Blaze King.
But, again, I still don't think I have a firm grasp of how the stoves work.
I spoke with a couple of representatives from Buck and still couldn't come up with much in terms of being able to compare them to other stoves. It seems like all of their stoves run like non-cat stoves. Burn times seem to be shorter than expected and the cat controls seem vague.
I would put their cat design in behind VC, which I admit is behind Woodstock and Blaze King.
But, again, I still don't think I have a firm grasp of how the stoves work.
Buck is a well respected stove manufacturer, some people in SC/NC will only install a Buck in their home. The 20/80 is not nearly as popular as the 91 which all 3 can be freestanding or insert, most people that have the 91 are very happy with it, heck if I could fit the 91 in my fireplace I would have one. The 8" requirement on the 80 puts a lot of people off on that stove, and when I talked to Buck they said NO 6" on that model, only the 20. Most people figure if you need 8" go with the 91 beast.
When I was working with Jason at Servicesales.com to buy my insert they had a few used Buck's, might want to check with them if you can pick up a used one and save a few "bucks". They sell them pretty fast, he is pretty knowledgeable with Buck stoves and might be able to give you some advice on the 20/80's.
When I was working with Jason at Servicesales.com to buy my insert they had a few used Buck's, might want to check with them if you can pick up a used one and save a few "bucks". They sell them pretty fast, he is pretty knowledgeable with Buck stoves and might be able to give you some advice on the 20/80's.
BAR: Yep... all the same observations, here, although I admit I haven't done as much digging as I could. Your statement putting them behind VC tells me you already know what I was thinking. I hate to buy a new VC, knowing I might hawk it in a year for the new BK, but it's coming down to that being my best option today.
My flue is large enough for Santa to crawl through, so no problem on the 8" flue, except that any stove I may choose to replace the Buck will probably cause me to pull the 8" and replace with 6". That's more lost investment.
Mellow: That 91 is a lot of stove, at 4.4 cu.ft.! My attraction to the 80 is its traditional looks, as with the 20 (if you remove the gold bling).
My flue is large enough for Santa to crawl through, so no problem on the 8" flue, except that any stove I may choose to replace the Buck will probably cause me to pull the 8" and replace with 6". That's more lost investment.
Mellow: That 91 is a lot of stove, at 4.4 cu.ft.! My attraction to the 80 is its traditional looks, as with the 20 (if you remove the gold bling).
$2,500 is a lot to spend on a stove that is temporary. And you will never come close to getting that back when you resell it.
I'm not a fan of the gold trim on stoves either. I like my stoves black and with legs. Anything other than that borders on chaos and havoc.
Yep... the primary reason I've been stalling on this all summer. Still hoping a pretty used cat stove (Jotul 8? 12?) appears before I break down and buy something new. Then I won't feel bad if I want to resell it in a year or two.
I have a model 20, it's over 10 years old. It was in our fireplace on the main floor for about 7 years, basically an insert instal. Now it resides in the basement , freestanding with legs. It's small firebox of about 15" and small size make it a perfect fit. The stove heats up and warms the basement nicely. I don't care for the fan noise,otherwise it's great.
- Status
Similar threads
