Hearthstone - Castleton or Mountain 60? Or stay away?

[cabinwarmer]

Hello All,

I am still in search of a new stove and have found that the hearthstone stoves will fit nicely on my current hearth. I need something that does not exceed 21" in depth. I am really hoping not to modify or extend the hearth if I can get away from it. Even if it means swaying my stove pick one way or the other. I was hoping for non - cat but these two units fit 100% to my current set up. I also have looked at the Jotul45, but because of the deepness, would require hearth mods. Still not out of the running.

Questions...... How often do owners have issues with soapstone?
Is it the owners operating the stove incorrectly that causes all the bad news around cracking?
Is it better to have it as part of the firebox (Mountain 60) or outside (Castleton)?
Will I be sorry I bought it?

Thanks, Dave

 

[begreen]

New stoves. It's too soon to tell.
Why did the Jotul F45 get excluded? It has none of these concerns.

 

[cabinwarmer]

The physical size was all that was a concern for the F45. Not excluded yet. Would require the hearth modifications to accommodate the 16 inch open door clearance spec.
F45:
Clearance G is 4” utilizing double wall with shield (see pdf). Run this from stove to ceiling bucket.
Stove is 25 7/8 “ deep
Add the 16” door clearance is total of 45 7/8 “

I have 44 1/2 inches from the dry wall behind the brick of the hearth front to back.

BUT: Looks like we meet the minimum floor protection stated in section 4 .1 at 27W and 44D, so I am a little confused on what Jotul is saying.

 

[begreen]

Now I am very confused. In the other thread, you are specifically asking about a hearth extension for the Castelton.

Floor protection options around existing brick hearth

Good Day, I may need to expand my existing brick hearth by 8-10 inches to protect the flooring and meet code for a new installation of a stove. I was hoping to hear some ideas of what type of materials others have utilized to provide floor protection. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. I don't...

www.hearth.com

 

[Nigel459]

Hello All,

I am still in search of a new stove and have found that the hearthstone stoves will fit nicely on my current hearth. I need something that does not exceed 21" in depth. I am really hoping not to modify or extend the hearth if I can get away from it. Even if it means swaying my stove pick one way or the other. I was hoping for non - cat but these two units fit 100% to my current set up. I also have looked at the Jotul45, but because of the deepness, would require hearth mods. Still not out of the running.

Questions...... How often do owners have issues with soapstone?
Is it the owners operating the stove incorrectly that causes all the bad news around cracking?
Is it better to have it as part of the firebox (Mountain 60) or outside (Castleton)?
Will I be sorry I bought it?

Thanks, Dave

I put in a GM 40 and used it all last winter. After a full year now I really love the stove, didn't find any flaws, and don't foresee any issues... (for what it's worth Time will tell of course, but so far so good with it. If you like the aesthetic (we do) then I would go for it. I've heard good things about the soapstone hybrids as well.

 

[cabinwarmer]

Begreen.. sorry for the confusion. I was going by what turned out to be a general statement from the dealer I was working with. He told me after sending measurements to him that "any stove we sell you would need an extension". Well, BS. I found the installation manuals and made my own calculations. Which I should have done the first time. As it turns out, both the HS stoves mentioned, the GM 60 and Casleton will fit with no work on the hearth and by adding double wall pipe allowing to slide the stove back towards the wall enough to make the 16" clearance for the door. If I go with the f45, then I will required some extension work (numbers referenced above - less the 2 inches out of spec I believe). I searched threads last night again and I believe you are in the f45 camp for my situation, correct?

 

[begreen]

Begreen.. sorry for the confusion. I was going by what turned out to be a general statement from the dealer I was working with. He told me after sending measurements to him that "any stove we sell you would need an extension". Well, BS. I found the installation manuals and made my own calculations. Which I should have done the first time. As it turns out, both the HS stoves mentioned, the GM 60 and Casleton will fit with no work on the hearth and by adding double wall pipe allowing to slide the stove back towards the wall enough to make the 16" clearance for the door. If I go with the f45, then I will required some extension work (numbers referenced above - less the 2 inches out of spec I believe). I searched threads last night again and I believe you are in the f45 camp for my situation, correct?

The F45 size is correct. In other threads you have expressed concerns about cats and soapstone cracks. The F45 has neither issue. Second choice of the 3 would be the GM 60. Third option would be the PE Alderlea T5.

 

[cabinwarmer]

Looks like a no brainer at this point. Quotes back from my dealership are $2049 for the F45 and $2699 for the GM60. Better stove better price, right?

 

[begreen]

"Better" for the constraints mentioned. The G60 may prove to be a great stove. It's just too early to say.

 

[cabinwarmer]

Just making a template now of the f45 and the hearth extension required. Starting to look like the f45 may just be too large for the space in general. It may be too deep for the walking area in front with the required extension. Not sure it will look correct either now that I laid this all out with a template. My better half is also weighing in....(the purchaser)...

 

[cabinwarmer]

Looks like the F45 and the PE T5 both fit into the too deep size category. I did read that the GM60 might not draw enough air? Anyone else hear this?

 

[Nigel459]

Looks like the F45 and the PE T5 both fit into the too deep size category. I did read that the GM60 might not draw enough air? Anyone else hear this?

The too-deep issue was why we tried the GM40, for the shallower form factor. And yes, I found those few negative reviews of the GM saying they don't draw air. Here's my theory on them: I think they inadvertently had their air intake, which is on the bottom of the stove, blocked by the "listing plate" which is a sheet of paper sized piece of aluminum that is loosely tethered and clipped to the bottom as well. It could swing around and get in the way of the air intake. The way those reviews stated "as soon as the door closes the fire immediately goes out" makes me think that. Either that or super wet wood...

Quite the opposite, I would call our GM40 an "easy breather." In fact I needed to install a flue damper to dial it in for better control and longer burn times.

 

[cabinwarmer]

Thanks Nigel, I am leaning to the GM60. I have been hesitant because of the reviews or lack of them. I am encouraged by your response and sounds like the stove is serving you well. The GM 60 will fit perfectly on my current hearth as well. Might have to take the chance of the newer model. I have not seen any bad reviews around the Hearthstone cast iron stoves. I am also slowly warming up to the CAT idea. I am also thinking the flue damper is a good idea as I am replacing the current pipe with double wall to help keep the upper part of the chimney creosote level down.

 

[cabinwarmer]

Bought the GM 60 today. I think it will be a good stove moving forward.

 

[begreen]

Congratulations. Keep us posted on the install. Looking forward to seeing pictures of it with a good fire.

The way those reviews stated "as soon as the door closes the fire immediately goes out" makes me think that. Either that or super wet wood...

It's a really common complaint that we hear for all stove types with new users. You will see them popping up in a month. A good 75% of the time it is the wood even though the user will swear it's "seasoned". The question is how much?

 

[rosem]

Post some photos when you have it installed. I'm curious what you think about it. I was going to get a GM60 for a long time, but ended up with an F55.