Go Woodstock Soapstone

[Vic99]

The stars are right.

After much research and inner debate and understanding from the wife, I'm buying a Woodstock Fireview next weekend. Part of me wants to make the Hearthstone work . . . I've always rated it a B+, but a Woodstock sale, a tax credit that I'm paying for anyway since my wife and I are luckily and happily employed, a stove room renovation project, and Woodstock's customer service - an experience that has been great so far and I don't even own the stove yet - all intersected.

I've been pretty happy with the Hearthstone Homestead, but I need the longer burn times of the cat and a bit more heat. Last season, I was a zealot and went to bed late and got up early to feed the stove to keep it going in January. I wasn't as happy to do that this year. Adding a damper would help some, I'm sure . . . in fact I'm adding a damper to the Fireview in case overdraft . . . my stack is over 25 feet straight up!

The Fireview firebox size is only 10% larger, but I expect that the Fireview will store more heat . . . 485 lbs vs. 360 lbs and a double layer of stone (almost 2") vs. single layer (1.25"). Although the wood of a 2.2 box will put out practically the same heat as the wood of a 2.0 box, I figure I can add more wood during the day burn to boost up the stone's stored heat when I'll need it in January.

I'll start looking for a buyer for my Homestead after I disconnect it this weekend. Sad to see it go. Very attractice stove with a large view of the fire, but I think the Woodstock will work better for my needs and set up.

As I said, the stars are right.

 

[Easyellis8]

Vic,

Congrats on the new stove, I'm sure that you are going to enjoy it this winter.

 

[BrotherBart]

Three years ago the hero was the PE Summit. Last year it was anything made out of soapstone. Looks like this year it is the Woodstock Fireview. :lol:

Enjoy that sucker.

 

[Bobbin]

You know how I feel about our Woodstock stoves, Vic.. And you know that the Fireview has been well tested under this roof!

It will be interesting to see your stove room renovation and follow the story of the damper installation. We don't have a damper on the chimney and consequently I don't know that much about they affect/control performance of a stove. I'm sure there will be a lucky someone ready and willing to give your Hearthstone a loving and appreciative home.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Vic, you won't be disappointed with the new stove. However, I really question the need for a damper. It will only make cleaning troublesome and could actually make creosote problems. I used to love the dampers and grew up with them but any more I really question the need for them even with big drafts. Better to just use the stove controls.

Vic, another thing you will love about this stove is that you don't have to burn it full barrel all the time. Like now, if you don't need that much heat, don't fill the stove! Put in 3 small pieces or put in some junky shaped pieces and enjoy just a little heat.

 

[Todd]

Congrats on the new stove, I think your making a wise choice, as you know I did the same. As far as dampers go, I'm a fan of them if you have strong draft. I found mine very useful when it gets very cold and also on strong windy days, otherwise I just leave the damper up and down. Keep us posted.

 

[begreen]

Three years ago the hero was the PE Summit. Last year it was anything made out of soapstone. Looks like this year it is the Woodstock Fireview. :lol:

Enjoy that sucker.

Seems like the NC30/13 fan club has gained several members this year too. At times every few posts seemed to be Englander related.

 

[Todd]

Three years ago the hero was the PE Summit. Last year it was anything made out of soapstone. Looks like this year it is the Woodstock Fireview. :lol:

Enjoy that sucker.

Seems like the NC30/13 fan club has gained several members this year too. At times every few posts seemed to be Englander related.

Yeah, and you don't see much from Corie and Mike lately, prolly busy trying to keep up with demand. Wonder if the Englander will qualify for the Fed rebate?

 

[Vic99]

I'll install the damper and see what happens. If I don't need it, so be it . . . I think it is all of $7.

I can't wait.

 

[Todd]

How long is Woodstock out on shipping? Hopefully you will get it soon enough to have a few fires before Summer hits.

 

[Vic99]

Not sure. I live almost 2 hours away. I'm going to pick it up in person to save a few bucks. I'll also get to ask them a few questions in person while I'm there.

I don't think that they ship directly to your home anyway. Instead it is some place that has the capacity to accept freight of that size . . . at least that what I think.

You can bet that I'll have a few fires if it is under 60 F outside. Not going to buy it and wait 5-6 months.

 

[Highbeam]

On one hand I'm jealous, on the other hand I know I don't need a new stove more than I need to keep money in the bank. I'll be curious to hear about the selling of the used stove and how that goes.

What's this wimpiness about being below 60f. My first fire was sometime in August and the summer is the best time for those break in fires since you can open the windows and flush out the smoke.

Looking forward to the pics.

 

[madrone]

Under 60?! Open all your windows first!

 

[Rich L]

Not sure. I live almost 2 hours away. I'm going to pick it up in person to save a few bucks. I'll also get to ask them a few questions in person while I'm there.

I don't think that they ship directly to your home anyway. Instead it is some place that has the capacity to accept freight of that size . . . at least that what I think.

You can bet that I'll have a few fires if it is under 60 F outside. Not going to buy it and wait 5-6 months.

Hi Vic,Woodstock will deliver to your door however you'll have to get it inside to the hearth.Of course the shipping will be a little extra to your door.

 

[Highbeam]

I would totally drive the two hours to go get it. Heck I would drive four! Maybe you can then select a stove from a few to get extra good stone. Plus, there is great value in seeing them made, seeing the factory, and seeing people adding value to raw materials.

It will make the burning experience better IMO.

 

[rickw]

The issue with shipping is that it needs to go somewhere with a loading dock. I chose to drive 3 hours to the factory, since I'd have to hassle around anyway getting it into my utility trailer. At the factory they have a friendly guy with a forklift to put it in your truck/trailer.
It'll be on a pallet, with weather protection. It was nice to see the factory anyway.

My trailer tilted and it wasn't too difficult to scoot the pallet out (meaning I did it without herniation). It does weigh 500 lbs, don't let it tip over on you. I don't know what you'd do to get out of a pickup.

To get it in the house just strap a couple of 2x4's under the top lip (take off the lid and empty out firebricks first). Four normal guys can do it just fine. You can walk it around on the hearth easily using a 2x4 as a pry bar, with the legs on cardboard scraps till you get it placed. Won't mar the tiles that way.

 

[Highbeam]

To get my 500# heritage out of the pickup I removed the tailgate and set two 4x4s on the bumper. We scooted the pallet down the ramps onto the ground and then negotiated it onto a dolly. Don't rely on those cheezy little cables to keep the tailgate from collapsing.

I commuted to work for a couple of days with the stove safely in the back of my pickup until I could arrange a helper.

 

[Vic99]

Woodstock let me choose stones for the build. I described what I was looking for and they took photos and e-mailed them. I picked from 4 sets. Very helpful.

I have have one guy to help me. Perhaps I should look into getting another. I'm not a big guy, despite all the splitting ;-)

 

[rickw]

Offer your neighbors beer. Seriously, you need 4 guys - one on each corner.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Ya, not sure how it's getting off the back of my fugly car. Maybe get Scan man out there and we can slide it onto his back.

Remove all brick and whatever else we can before we move er.

 

[Vic99]

I'll see if I can do some recruiting. I'll also do a search as to how other people handled the move off of the truck and then again into the house. Fortunately we only have to climb 5 stairs to the porch and then onto the first floor. Maybe we'll back the truck to the front stairs so that we don't have to go down, then up again as much.

Wish my husky could help pull.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Vic, I had mine delivered at the local tire shop and then he put it onto my trailer. When I got home, I slid it off the trailer onto a furniture dolly.

When it came time to get it into the house, I got some help and we rolled it up on planks and into the house. I did not uncrate it until it was right in front of the hearth. Then we slid two 2 x 4's under the stove and lifted it that way after first removing the lid, firebox door and firebricks to make it a little lighter.

That furniture dolly really made things simple.

 

[apples439]

Wish I would have had the forsight to bring a trailer when visiting the factory. Live and learn. My stove was delivered to an freight center a week or so after I ordered it. It could have been there sooner but I was not ready for it. Picked it up with a trailer and unloaded by backing it up to the front step and strapping it to a hand-truck. A friend helped me roll it off and it was heavy...really heavy...but it only took 2 minutes of pain to get it in the door. The trailer was a little low. Had it been higher it would have been easier to unload onto the front step (easier to lower it down rather than pull it up).

A Woodstock employee gave me a tip regarding moving it after it has been uncrated. Take two 2x4s and sandwich the stove on each side under the top lip. Somehow secure the 2x4s to each other (rope, threaded rod, etc.). Now you have handles and don't have to hunch over and hurt your back.

-Todd

 

[jdinspector]

How long is Woodstock out on shipping? Hopefully you will get it soon enough to have a few fires before Summer hits.

Wow, shipping is fast. I confirmed my order with Woodstock last week, they shipped Monday, and I just picked up the stove at the loading dock today. 2 days shipping from New Hamp. to Chicago. Now, I have to find some gorillas to lift it up onto the porch and move it into the house. What did I do with those bananas....?

 

[Todd]

How long is Woodstock out on shipping? Hopefully you will get it soon enough to have a few fires before Summer hits.

Wow, shipping is fast. I confirmed my order with Woodstock last week, they shipped Monday, and I just picked up the stove at the loading dock today. 2 days shipping from New Hamp. to Chicago. Now, I have to find some gorillas to lift it up onto the porch and move it into the house. What did I do with those bananas....?

I'd come help if you were to treat me to one of those famous Chicago style pan pizza's. ;-)