Hearthstone Build Quality?

[lumbering on]

I was searching the old threads for opinions on hearthstone soapstone stoves and read quite a few comments about having to replace hinges and door handles after only a year or two.

Is there a quality issue with hearthstone that I should be concerned with?

 

[webby3650]

Their door handles do leave a little to be desired. They are upgrading a lot of them on the new models. That being said, we have sold tons of them that are in use and we rarely ever hear of an issue, occasionally a person needs a part. The handles aren't expensive and are readily available.

 

[NH_Wood]

I've been very happy with my Mansfield - 3 full seasons of 24/7 burning on her now no major problems (a small hairline crack on a few stones). Cheers!

 

[Highbeam]

I was happy to dump my hearthstone heritage. No regrets at all. The stove looks nice, performs as advertised, and I never had cracked stones or warped internal parts. My problem was that the stove was not made for a long life of full time service, not even a short time of full service. I have underwear that lasted longer than the critical wear components on this stove such as the hinge and latch mechanisms.

Within the first 5 years of ownership, the castings failed from wear. The castings are machined for things like hinge pins and door latches. These items wore out and the repair is to replace castings which is a major stove rebuild. My actual door handles were dainty but not the problem.

A smarter design would be to make these critical wear items replacable without major teardown but Hearthstone did not. I would reommend against a hearthstone if you expect to use the stove and expect it to last.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Please do not post pictures of those items the outlasted the critical wear components Highbeam.


Lumbering, have you checked the Woodstock line?

 

[Highbeam]

Within the first 5 years of ownership, the castings failed from wear.

I should clarify, the doors didn't fall off. The hinge pin holes in the castings wore egg shaped so the door was saggy and sloppy. Door latch and gasket engagement were inconsistent as a result. This is a failure to me.

I'll keep my undies off the internet as much as possible but it is true. I can only hope that the more robust BK hinges with their pins more than twice as wide will last longer.

 

[lumbering on]

\

Lumbering, have you checked the Woodstock line?

I am very very interested in the Woodstocks, especially the Progress Hybrid, but it will not work in my space. In order to use the side load door, it will project off the current hearth (it's in an old fireplace) and I do not, and will not be able to get, permission to extend the hearth.

Would love to know when the Union Hybrid front loader may be available to see if it will figure into my search.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Still no word on the introduction date. If I find out, I'll make a post on it.

 

[lumbering on]

Still no word on the introduction date. If I find out, I'll make a post on it.

Thanks.

I would buy the progress in a heart(h) beat, but my wife is very much against extending the hearth any further, so I may wait for my factory pilgrimage until the Union is out.

The hearthstone soapstone front loaders seem like an option, but I reason that Woodstock is way ahead on build quality.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I don't know a lot about the Union just yet but do have a little knowledge (a little knowledge can also be bad) and what little I do know has me a bit excited. They are working on this stove and I hope it will be ready for the next heating season but we just don't know yet. For sure there are some exciting things that will surprise a lot of people. There have been many guesses on this forum but all wrong so far. That makes this doubly exciting. Oh how I wish I could be at the Woodstock factory working on this thing. lol

 

[wishlist]

We have 2 hearthstone heritages in the family. Mine has 6 seasons burning 24/7 and my only issue with hearthstone is customer service. With that said I haven't has any issue with the door hinges nor has my mothers heritage. We both only use the side door to load ect....and the front door is hardly ever opened. Would I buy it again? Yes. Would I also consider a Woodstock? Absolutely.

I have seen the Woodstock stove in action and felt the heat that it can put out. No sweatshirts needed! Just on a hunch ,( no moisture meter handy) I'm fairly confident Backwoods Savage was using seasoned wood? Lol.....

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Ya, I think the moisture content was okay in that wood Wishlist.

 

[begreen]

There are a lot of satisfied Hearthstone stove owners out there. And they continue to make small but significant improvements.

 

[lumbering on]

There are a lot of satisfied Hearthstone stove owners out there. And they continue to make small but significant improvements.

No I'm definitely still interested in the hearthstone. Mansfield will fit, just a lot of it would be buried deep in the fireplace. Heck, I could even fit the Equinox...

It's just that everyone is so passionate about their Woodstocks, Jotuls and Blaze Kings. (and fiskars). Would just like to know there's that much excitement out there for the Hearthstones. Nothing says quality product like passionate owners.

 

[begreen]

The Mansfield was on my short list, till the wife nixed it.

 

[lumbering on]

The Mansfield was on my short list, till the wife nixed it.

I love how deep that firebox is.
However, with that much of the stove so deep in the fireplace, I'm questioning how this will limit the performance.

 

[begreen]

yes, I can see your concern. a blower would help.

 

[webby3650]

Why not just get an insert. If its tucked way back in there and needs a blower might as well just do an insert.

 

[Highbeam]

The wife vetoed the mansfield for us way back when we were looking at stone stoves. The feet on that thing are like duck feet and we were able to use the side door which is a great design feature. The heritage/equinox are the best lookers though I haven't seen the manchester in person yet.

If you think that your heritage hasn't worn out then try this test. Open the door and lift up on the bottom outside corner of the door. Feel how much slop is in the hinge. Even though you don't use the front door, neither did I, you will probably find lots of slop there too. Now look at the door latch catch which is a notch ground out of the door frame. Is it worn? Paper thin? Imagine how that variable door sag situation will accelerate this wear until one night after a full reload that little paper thin door catch snaps off and your door pops open.

 

[lumbering on]

Why not just get an insert. If its tucked way back in there and needs a blower might as well just do an insert.

We are all about the freestanding stone. Love the look, love the radiant, hate the blower sound.

 

[webby3650]

The wife vetoed the mansfield for us way back when we were looking at stone stoves. The feet on that thing are like duck feet and we were able to use the side door which is a great design feature. The heritage/equinox are the best lookers though I haven't seen the manchester in person yet.

If you think that your heritage hasn't worn out then try this test. Open the door and lift up on the bottom outside corner of the door. Feel how much slop is in the hinge. Even though you don't use the front door, neither did I, you will probably find lots of slop there too. Now look at the door latch catch which is a notch ground out of the door frame. Is it worn? Paper thin? Imagine how that variable door sag situation will accelerate this wear until one night after a full reload that little paper thin door catch snaps off and your door pops open.

I've never heard of this happening before, to anyone. It's to bad you had this experience

 

[begreen]

My wife didn't like the feet either and Hearthstone apparently heard her. The Mansfield lost the duck feet a last year I believe. The new legs look much better.

 

[webby3650]

My wife didn't like the feet either and Hearthstone apparently heard her. The Mansfield lost the duck feet a last year I believe. The new legs look much better.

View attachment 102260

It does look nicer, it is a little taller too, so it no longer needs any r-value on the hearth, only ember protection. They also changed the door so the glass is bigger. For some reason they also removed the name from the flue collar.

 

[RORY12553]

I have a hearthstone heritage. bought the stove with the house i'm currently living in. 1st year of burning I had to replace both front and side door handles, gaskets, front door, and glass. Note the front door was partially my fault but if i had to buy this stove i would NOT! as someone prior said i don't think this stove is meant for the every day burner. Don't get me wrong it puts out heat but not sure it is big enough for my house.

 

[Highbeam]

I've never heard of this happening before, to anyone. It's to bad you had this experience

Hearthstone has certainly heard of it and sent out many replacement door frames and latches. Lifetime warranty on the castings but you get to replace them yourself. I've always gotten great service and support from hearthstone.