Changes to the Drolet Baltic?

[WriteNoob]

Hi, everyone. I read a post somewhere that SBI is planning to make changes to the Baltic (don't know about the Legend/Myriad/Austral). I emailed SBI, and they confirmed that there were changes in the works, but no details. I'm just wondering if anyone here has the inside scoop on things like timing and specifics. It seems we've lost our inside guy at SBI, but does anyone else know anything? This is the stove that I and my better half have settled on, for this fall. Really wanted a BK Sirocco 30, but can't afford that, and a good chimney liner, and the gear to process the wood, etc. The Baltic seems to be a good lower cost alternative, and the wife will like the flame show of the secondary burn.

Just wondering if it's worth it to wait 'til fall, for a newer (possibly nicer/better) stove, or buy as soon as I have the chance. Menards has it for $999, right now, and I work, literally, a few blocks from their distribution center. I actually service their overhead doors, and could probably just pick it up, saving shipping.

 

[BrotherBart]

Where did ya read that?

 

[WriteNoob]

Read it in an older post, here. It was confirmed by a guy named Ron Geroux, at SBI.

 

[BrotherBart]

Since they use that firebox in so many different stoves it will be interesting to see what they are changing. Knowing why would be interesting too but no way in hell they will ever tell that.

 

[WriteNoob]

I was actually surprised to get the info. that I did. I think I'm going to go with the current model. 50/50 that the changes will be something that will be good, or that we (me and mine) won't like. I like the looks of the current one. Big, hot box of fire. I'm guessing that the changes will be cosmetic, rather than a changing (and recertification) of the internals. Was just hoping that there'd be someone with access that could flesh out the changes thing, before I took the leap. Maybe over the next few days, someone will see this and chime in.

 

[BrotherBart]

I think I'm going to go with the current model

What I would do. It ain't gonna magically turn into something light years ahead of the current model.

I bet it is still a steel box with a fire in it. I love steel boxes with fire in them.

 

[Mark Richards]

Hi, everyone. I read a post somewhere that SBI is planning to make changes to the Baltic (don't know about the Legend/Myriad/Austral). I emailed SBI, and they confirmed that there were changes in the works, but no details. I'm just wondering if anyone here has the inside scoop on things like timing and specifics. It seems we've lost our inside guy at SBI, but does anyone else know anything? This is the stove that I and my better half have settled on, for this fall. Really wanted a BK Sirocco 30, but can't afford that, and a good chimney liner, and the gear to process the wood, etc. The Baltic seems to be a good lower cost alternative, and the wife will like the flame show of the secondary burn.

Just wondering if it's worth it to wait 'til fall, for a newer (possibly nicer/better) stove, or buy as soon as I have the chance. Menards has it for $999, right now, and I work, literally, a few blocks from their distribution center. I actually service their overhead doors, and could probably just pick it up, saving shipping.

I bet they will do something about making the baffle plate replaceable or extend the firebrick to the top of the burn chamber, or maybe SBI is gearing up for the new EPA regs and will release a hybrid!! That would be very cool.

 

[webby3650]

I bet they will do something about making the baffle plate replaceable or extend the firebrick to the top of the burn chamber, or maybe SBI is gearing up for the new EPA regs and will release a hybrid!! That would be very cool.

Hardly.
Most all stove maunfacturers are making small changes at the moment, not to increase efficiency, but rather so they can re-test and be grandfathered through the 2015 date. EPA certs are good for 5 years, so most want to do a re-test to buy them some time, 5 years from the test date in fact. If their stove passes the current regs, it won't need to comply to the new EPA regs until it's 5 years is up. So, everyone is very busy!

I suspect SBI will be changing the baffle to the C-cast material that they use on the Enerzone line-up.

 

[Woody Stover]

Makes sense, webby.

I love steel boxes with fire in them.

Any size in particular you prefer?

 

[BrotherBart]

Makes sense, webby.
Any size in particular you prefer?

Big honkin steel boxes with fire in them. The Baltic qualifies.

 

[BrotherBart]

Only problems I have with the Baltic are the welded in baffle and no leg options. I am a leg man. And have never owned a stove that I couldn't remove/replace the baffle and never will. If for no other reason than being able to clean the pipe right down into the firebox.

 

[WriteNoob]

The Drolet Legend is the Baltic with cast legs. The Austral is the Myriad (no side shields) with steel legs. No options for cast legs and no shields. I want the shields because of reports that with fire brick only half way up the burn chamber, the secondary burn area is bare, internally, and the stove has been described as being crazy radiant. Been looking for any mention of baffle trouble, and haven't found any, but this was a major concern for me, early on, as well. Guess I like the rest of it enough to give it a shot.

 

[webby3650]

Not to mention we are only talking $999 here. That's less than half the price of many other stoves that are being picked apart over small issues. Go for it!

 

[WriteNoob]

Not to mention we are only talking $999 here. That's less than half the price of many other stoves that are being picked apart over small issues. Go for it!

Unfortunately, $999 is not an insignificant sum for me, at the present time. And I, like many, I think, get on these forums and tend to get bound up in the details. Without the internet, I'd spend a week looking at what's around, pull the trigger, and feel good about it. With the Baltic, though, I think I've got a winner, for the money. Not as polished as many, but it'll keep the wife warm, and if you knew her, you'd know what a not-insignificant miracle that will be, in and of itself.

 

[BrotherBart]

Well, there is one other stove...

 

[WriteNoob]

Well, there is one other stove...

Does it have numbers in the name?

Sorry, BB. My significant other wants a flat top.

 

[BrotherBart]

Ain't a thang for me. I don't get commissions. If fact I have never recommended that anybody buy one. Just was the first one on the forum that bought one and they have kinda gone from there.

Just get ya a stove in there before it gets cold again. Gotta do something with all of that wood.

 

[webby3650]

Unfortunately, $999 is not an insignificant sum for me, at the present time. And I, like many, I think, get on these forums and tend to get bound up in the details. Without the internet, I'd spend a week looking at what's around, pull the trigger, and feel good about it. With the Baltic, though, I think I've got a winner, for the money. Not as polished as many, but it'll keep the wife warm, and if you knew her, you'd know what a not-insignificant miracle that will be, in and of itself.

I hear ya, I sure don't have money to throw around either.
The Baltic will do the job just fine. My brother in law had the Celtic for a while, his buddy has it now. It's a nice stove!

 

[Huntindog1]

Too bad you missed the Menards sale got my Myriad for like $689 if I remember correctly.

The thing really radiates heat well even when just hot coals.

They go trying to get the emissions better the thing most likely wont radiate heat as well as it does.

Its the fire brick only going half way up and the stainless steal baffle that allows the stove to radiate heat so well.

A more insulated baffle plate and bricks all the way up the sides allows more heat to stay in the firebox and gets them better emissions performance.