Buying used

[PamandMatt]

We are looking at a Harman Oakwood wood stove tonight. Model Serial Number 3536.
Is there anything in particular to be aware of buying used. We haven't seen it yet, but we looked at a dealer at new last weekend.

This is how the ad reads...."Harman Wood Stove Oakwood Model Serial Number 3536,
Double Burner with ash tray on bottom, Hardly Used"
And, of course, pictures.

Not much to go by, but what should we look for? They are asking 1,500.

Thanks,
Pam

 

[bholler]

We are looking at a Harman Oakwood wood stove tonight. Model Serial Number 3536.
Is there anything in particular to be aware of buying used. We haven't seen it yet, but we looked at a dealer at new last weekend.

This is how the ad reads...."Harman Wood Stove Oakwood Model Serial Number 3536,
Double Burner with ash tray on bottom, Hardly Used"
And, of course, pictures.

Not much to go by, but what should we look for? They are asking 1,500.

Thanks,
Pam

The combustion chamber in the back deteriorating. Honestly i would keep looking. These stoves can work very well but they are not easy to figure out and they are expensive to maintain.

 

[jetsam]

Here's what the owners have to say. It's not all bad, but I wouldn't want one after reading a few of those threads.

 

[bholler]

Here's what the owners have to say. It's not all bad, but I wouldn't want one after reading a few of those threads.

No it isnt if you figure them out they are heating beasts. But they dont shut back well at all and the parts that will need replaced are expensive.

 

[PamandMatt]

I appreciate the links. I had looked at some of them. As usual, so many pros and cons.
It seems that the Oakwood might not be the best stove to load and leave, or go to bed.
We have an Oval cookstove that we've had for almost 20 years at various houses we've lived in. It is in our kitchen and we use it for our main heat most of winter. The only thing is, we have to load it every 2 hrs., and it needs a good thorough cleaning once a week. We want to put a wood stove in our basement to do most of the heating for the basement and the upstairs (ranch house). 2 of our sons have homemade stoves that heat their houses, but our insurance won't cover them. So, what would you recommend?

Thanks so much for the input. I never would have imagined wood burning was getting so technical.

Pam

 

[begreen]

Pretty stove, but finicky and costly to maintain. I'd pass.

 

[moresnow]

Best to fill in some details of your home layout/Sq. Feet etc. Old house or newer? Are you looking to run the stove 24/7? Sounds as if that may be the case.

 

[PamandMatt]

Best to fill in some details of your home layout/Sq. Feet etc. Old house or newer? Are you looking to run the stove 24/7? Sounds as if that may be the case.

Our home is about 18 years old. We resided, new windows, and insulated more about 8 years ago. Basement and 1st floor (No second floor) is approx. 2,100 sf. It is a longer ranch style, and the stove would be near the middle of the length near the staircase. We just closed up the staircase last year and didn't heat the basement. Not sure if we'll keep it that way. Like I said, I know our sons only heat with their wood stoves. They both have ranch houses. One similar to ours. The heat comes up their staircase and their house is toasty. We do have 2 open floor grates in our house, too, for heat to come through. HTH

 

[begreen]

Is the basement insulated? Are you fussy about the look of the stove or do you just want a simple, reliable heater?

 

[PamandMatt]

Is the basement insulated? Are you fussy about the look of the stove or do you just want a simple, reliable heater?

Not fussy at all! We are planning on insulating it all. A small amount is, as we were finishing it. Kitchen, bath, bedroom, etc.

 

[jetsam]

Good news then, you can get a good reliable heater brand new for less than $1500. Definitely do whatever you are going to do with the basement floor before you get the stove, and finish insulating the basement before you expect any stove to be a good heater down there. Exposed concrete is pretty much an infinite heat sink.

 

[begreen]

If the heat can migrate upstairs efficiently and there is a decent cooler air return path then consider the humble Englander 30NC. It should be going on sale right now.

 

[moresnow]

Drolet HT2000. Worth a look for sure.

 

[begreen]

Drolet HT2000. Worth a look for sure.

Yes.