Homestead vs Fireview

[-EOS-]

We have finally narrowed our decision down to a Hearthstone Homestead or a Woodstock Fireview.

Aside from one being a non-cat, and the other having a cat, would anyone care to share their suggestions and opinions to help our decision?

Thanks in advance.

PS - GREAT site!!

 

[Highbeam]

What is your desired burning style? all day every day? occasional weekend burner? What type of house? How big? insulation?

I own a Hearthstone heritage and it is a good 24/7 burner in my climate but to keep it cranking out major heat 24/7 means a lot of loading so I would not recommend the smaller Homestead. On the basis of maximizing burn time I would get the biggest catalytic stove I could find which means the big Woodstock.

Do note the very different installation requirements for these stoves. The Hearthstone stoves have small clearances and the Woodstock very large so if this is going into a smaller room be sure to lay it out on the floor.

 

[-EOS-]

Thanks for the reply.

We plan on starting off as weekend burners, but having read many posts here, it sounds like we'll quickly want to become all day every day burners.
Style is raised ranch, 1600sqft, insulated.

We'll be able to accomodate either clearance requirements.

 

[pinewoodburner]

The Woodstock does have a larger clearance requirement and I think it is do to the CAT. The CAT can give off more heat with the stove choked down, and that is why you see longer burn times with the CAT. Some people don't want to mess with the CAT stoves and other people don't mind. With the Woodstock, you will spend $125 about every 6 years on a new cat. Hearthstone makes a very nice stove also, but you need one of the bigger stoves to get the longer burn times.

 

[Vic99]

Welcome to the site!

Read as much as you can. Many people here know as much or more about our particular stove than some of the stove dealers out there . Probably because we are boarderline obsessed with wood burning.

I love soapstone's ability to hold heat. I, too, weighed the 2 stoves.

I chose the homestead. The homestead vents directly out my fireplace. Cats seem to be sensative to what can burn through them (Others that know will correct me if I'm wrong). Although you shouldn't burn anything treated with chemicals, a noncat is less fussy if you mess up with the odd piece of scrap lumber . . . I like burning pallet wood during the shoulder seasons.

The homestead's low clearances are definitely a plus. I recommend the 6 inch legs over the 4 inch.

For both, get the manuals online and compare . . . DON'T go by the brochures, some of those stats, although close, are incorrect.

Good luck.

 

[Randy S]

Hi,

I have the Woodstock Fireview, have enjoyed the stove very much. Glass stays clean, great heat output. The only challenge for me and this stove is that it takes me approx. 40 minutes to bring up to temp(which is 250 degrees) to engage the catalytic combustor, but this is from a cold start. I re-load the stove at 6 am, then when I get back home between 5:30 - 6 pm I still have good coals to re-start. My place is a little over 2000 SF, only cooler place is the MBR and bath, but I like it that way. Heats the rest of the house between 70-75 with ceiling fans and one box fan.

Good luck,

SG

 

[Todd]

I've burned both stoves. The Fireview is far superior in my opinion. The Homestead was finicky with the air controls, went through more firewood, and didn't put out as much heat and as long burns with a similar load compared to the Fireview. The Fireview works out much better for me as a 24/7 burner. The Homestead is a good little heater and puts out a good fire show, but it's a little small in my opinion for 24/7 burning unless someone is home all the time to tend the fire.

If your afraid of the catalyst, don't be. I was at first, but this stove turned out to easier to operate than my Homestead. The maintenance is a breeze. Just lift the top lid and lift out the cat, brush or vacuume out about once every cord of wood or so. The cat is also waranteed for the 1st 3 years, then pro rated up to 6 years.

 

[Hestia]

Our Woodstock Keystone is sitting in our LR, waiting patiently to be hooked up. We went with the Woodstock for the following reasons:

1) Customer support/staff knowledge was far superior to the local shops carrying the Hearthstones.

2) We liked the idea of the catalytic with longer burn times/using less wood over the time period.

2) When I looked at the Hearthstones, I was wondering about the stove cement showing on the inside - it looked like it had oozed during the putting together stage and wasn't cleaned up. There were two bits of the cement that flaked off in spots. The door was not fitted as tightly as the Jotul in the store - we hadn't seen any other soapstone stoves at that point, but we were not that impressed with the little details. We are both good craftsmen; we both create with our hands and have high standards. All the little details that were not quite right just made me feel as if there was not the care that I wanted put into a stove that I was going to spend a lot of money on, and trust for safety. I know that there are plenty of people here who love their Hearthstone Stoves, but we were really just not comfortable, though I loved the look of the stoves. We were impressed with the Morso stoves we looked at - they were very well made. We really wanted soapstone, however, and their soapstone stove takes very small pieces of wood. We drove 2 1/5 hours to look at the Woodstock and with all the other stoves that we had looked at, we were the most impressed with the way that the stoves in the display room were so carefully put together. It was great to see the actual stove that we were going to purchase, and my dh was convinced of the the quality and we put down our deposit. All of our calls have been thoughtfully answered - we even sent photos of our hearth set up and were able to ask questions. Very, very helpful. I wish that they could install!

However, I was interested to see that you see yourself as only a weekend burner to begin. The soapstone stoves could be frustrating for that, as they do take a while to heat up. They are more efficient for 24/7 burners. The cast iron stoves seem better for people who want faster heat ups. And yet, I have had no first hand experience burning. I just know that our stove fits very well, and has great reviews. I wish that the installers would come and hook it up!

Hestia

 

[bcnu]

First season with the Homestead and and it has done a good job. Reading back over the other posts I would pretty much agree on all that's been said. I did a lot of research before buying a stove and soapstone wasn't on the radar until we saw one in operation. I was not aware of the Woodstock stoves and may have been reluctant to buy direct(which is probably strange because that's exactly how I bought our pellet stove 8 years ago) We do have to feed the Homestead more often than I'd like - but I was aware of that going in, and since we are home most of the time regular feedings aren't much of a problem. I do like the idea a getting more heat out of less or equal wood burning but I was also predisposed against cats from my research. However, now think it wouldn't be a concern. The warmer "cold" months have been a challenge to get consistent heat, but we'll learn as we go. Perhaps it came down to having an excellent stove dealer who went the extra mile on sales and service.

 

[-EOS-]

Great replies. Thanks to everyone!!

While intitially looking at different stoves, we saw the soapstones, did some research, and decided that's what we want.

I just spoke with woodstock on the phone yesterday and they are pleasant to talk to and very knowledgable!

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Good luck to you in your purchase.

One work on Hearthstone vs. Woodstock. You will be hard pressed to find any bad postings on Woodstock but will find some on Hearthstone. We too looked strongly at the Hearthstone but ended up with the Fireview from Woodstock.

On how long it takes to heat up that stove. I personally believe it is the way people use the stove to heat it up is why it takes them that long. Leave that draft wide open and it will seem to take forever to get the stone up to 250 degrees. However, after a few minutes of open draft and we have a good flame, we then turn the draft to half open until the temperature gets up to 250 degrees. It certainly does not take 40 minutes to get it up there. At 40 minutes we can have our stove up to 500 degrees (the cat. will light at 250 degree stove top temperature).

You live in NH, so take a day to visit Woodstock and you will have many questions answered. We visited some folks who already owned a Woodstock stove and after listening to them were were really impressed.

 

[-EOS-]

Backwoods - You are right. Everything I've read about them has been positive so far, except for the time it takes some people to get it up to temp. But looks like you may have a lighting process that resolves that.

 

[swestall]

Let me start by saying I love my Hearthstone Mansfield. The reason I got it was that I needed more BTU's than the 55K/BTU rating that the Woodstock provides.
I really like the look of the Woodstock too; and would have tried it if the BTU output was greater. If the BTU's of the Woodstock are good for you then you should try it. Right now they are on sale and have extended their money back guarantee. You have nothing to lose whatsoever, and a lot to gain.
Don't be scared of the converter; they work well and when maintained correctly are fine. Some people say they may become scarce in the long run; who knows about that. A lot of folks thought VC would be around forever too.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Backwoods - You are right. Everything I've read about them has been positive so far, except for the time it takes some people to get it up to temp. But looks like you may have a lighting process that resolves that.

Thank you. Almost all say to leave the draft open fully until the stove gets up to temperature (or on refill, open for 10-15 minutes). However, we found if we leave the draft open like that all the heat goes right up the chimney. Our first few times with the stove were a bit frustrating because it did take a long time. However, I've been heating with wood for many, many moons now and have also used several different stoves. I soon figured out that the draft needs to be closed some once the wood has ignited good, which usually means has started to char just a tad.

The draft control is numbered 1-4. We use 4 when putting wood in but most times within 1-2 minutes start to dial it down. Usually go to 2 and then after maybe 5 minutes go to 1. When we engage the cat., we then dial it down to about 1/2 and that is where we leave it for long burns. A full firepot gives us a stove top temperature of 550 - 600 degrees; sometimes less sometimes a little more. We've yet to get the temperature over 650 but probably could if we tried. We don't.

We also wondered if this Fireview would give us the heat we needed and it really worried us. We had been heating with a large Ashley and that is considerably larger than the Fireview. After finally making the decision, we are amazed. They said we'd burn less wood but I did not believe that. I am now a believer! We burn a lot less wood and get even more heat than before! And we also cook on it too.

Good luck to you and if I can help further, do not hesitate to ask. Even send me a PM or email.

 

[paulie]

We heat 1400 sq ft easily with the Homestead, I am not experience with the Woodstock. But I do love my Homestead. When we speak of them taking a longer time to heat up, we are only talking about a few more minutes, but when they are heated, they put out very good heat, for a long time. they are also very attractive stoves...you have to look at this thing all year. With your sq ft, I would seirously look at the Mansfield. I don't think either way you go you will be diapionted. Get the one your wife like's because let's face it...if she likes it, it a great stove ! you win either way good luck !

 

[bcnu]

Just starting the Homestead from a cold start as the temps were in the low 60's today but cool overnight. I clocked it and the temp was at 250* on the stove top after 45 minutes. I had primary air wide open for about 15 minutes and then half open for another 20 and just went to about one forth open. That last adjustment knocked the flames down and I'm getting some secondary burn - plus temp has gone up to 275. This is where I usually have the most trouble getting up to the 400+ degrees. I'll see how fast it continues to climb and will open the air to half if it's slowed down too much. I can see how a CAT would give out more heat if it starts heating at 250*. Wish I could install a Woodstock next year just to see how it compares.

 

[jpl1nh]

Where do you live in NH? I have the Fireview's little bros, the Keystone. You mentioned craftsmanship and I couldn't agree with you more. Hopefully when you visited Woodstock's facility you had them give you a tour. They are all handmade, one at a time. I've had mine somewhat apart and its refreshingly easy to take it apart and put it back together, wonderful craftsmanship. I love this stove. Today I loaded at 8AM thinking it would be in the mid-40's and I'd be home at 6PM. Instead it was mid 30's and I was home at 8pm. 12 hours after a okay load of elm and red maple the house had dropped to 66 but I had a nice coal bed and was able to get a nice fire roaring within 5 minutes. Hour and a half later the house is 69 and warming nicely (the whole house that is). My wife just wants to be able to put wood in a stove and get heat, not a stove person. She's lives with several different stoves over the last 20 years and claims this cat stove is the easiest she's ever used. I know Hearthstone makes fine products but of the two, IMHO the Fireview wins hands down.

 

[webbie]

I have sold both, and certain models of Woodstock may be made a little better. Some of my customers eventually had to rebuild their HearthStones....whereas we rarely hear that about Woodstock. But, that said, Hearthstone has some stoves that are much larger, and also non-cat....and my experience does not cover the newer models, which are vastly improved. In fact, I sold the Phoneix and had great results with that.

Bottom line is that I would not hesitate to suggest either brand...and I would have either myself.

Besides, Woodstock is a "true" small business where the employees are treated like family and the owner works every day to make the product better - and NOT for $$$. Just because that is what he wants to do in life. That is an admirable way to do business, the success comes automatically.

 

[-EOS-]

Thank everyone so much for your opinions!!

Excellent forum you guys have here!!

 

[paulie]

Just starting the Homestead from a cold start as the temps were in the low 60's today but cool overnight. I clocked it and the temp was at 250* on the stove top after 45 minutes. I had primary air wide open for about 15 minutes and then half open for another 20 and just went to about one forth open. That last adjustment knocked the flames down and I'm getting some secondary burn - plus temp has gone up to 275. This is where I usually have the most trouble getting up to the 400+ degrees. I'll see how fast it continues to climb and will open the air to half if it's slowed down too much. I can see how a CAT would give out more heat if it starts heating at 250*. Wish I could install a Woodstock next year just to see how it compares.

check your wood, you shouldn't have no problem getting to 400*, and that seems a little long to get to 250*

 

[bcnu]

I agree that it's probably my wood, and even how I load it sometimes, that keeps me from getting the stove hot. It's been a real learning experience this first year.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

"A real learning experience this first year." Holy cow, I've heated with wood for 40+ years and am still learning! lol Actually, I hope I never stop learning.

 

[jpl1nh]

"A real learning experience this first year." Holy cow, I've heated with wood for 40+ years and am still learning! lol Actually, I hope I never stop learning.

I totally agree (though I've only heated with wood for a few years)