How To Present Case For Wood Stove on Hearth...

[velvetfoot]

...to the wife that is.

She's pretty convinced that only a flush unit, similar to the insert in a z.c. prefab will do.
I'd love to go free standing.

Are there really pretty looking stoves, as in irresistable?
I was at the Jotul place at lunch, and there was a real nice looking brown enameled one.

Then there's the backstop: tile, cultured stone, nothing, etc.

I mean, I shudder to think if I have to take dancing classes, learn how to cook, etc, as a tradeoff. Uggh.

 

[BrowningBAR]

...to the wife that is.

She's pretty convinced that only a flush unit, similar to the insert in a z.c. prefab will do.
I'd love to go free standing.

Are there really pretty looking stoves, as in irresistable?
I was at the Jotul place at lunch, and there was a real nice looking brown enameled one.

Then there's the backstop: tile, cultured stone, nothing, etc.

I mean, I shudder to think if I have to take dancing classes, learn how to cook, etc, as a tradeoff. Uggh.

Pretty is in the eye of the beholder. Some love steel stoves, some like cast, some like stone. Then there is modern versus classic designs. What style does your wife like.

And, I've taken dancing classes with the wife and I've taken cooking classes by myself... so... can't help you there.

 

[velvetfoot]

thanks, but there must be something you'd hate to do...

 

[Pagey]

Jotul Castine in blue/black enamel. Anything made by Woodstock or Hearthstone.

 

[velvetfoot]

It was indeed a Castine I saw in brown. Blue/Black sounds great.
Do you have to go cast iron or soap stone for a real pretty stove?

 

[Pagey]

It was indeed a Castine I saw in brown. Blue/Black sounds great.
Do you have to go cast iron or soap stone for a real pretty stove?

Well, that's obviously subjective, but in my opinion: yes. Soapstone is pretty in and of itself, and you can just get prettier designs in the castings with a cast iron stove. Now, I think my Endeavor looks fine, but you can only do so much with a plate steel box, IMO.

 

[begreen]

There are several cast iron jacketed steel stove on the market by PE, Napoleon, Quadrafire and its an option on the Jotul Rangeley.

 

[Pagey]

There are several cast iron jacketed steel stove on the market by PE, Napoleon, Quadrafire and its an option on the Jotul Rangeley.

That's a great point, BG, and one I often forget. I'd easily put a PE Alderlea up against a soapstone or a "true" cast iron!

 

[BrowningBAR]

There are several cast iron jacketed steel stove on the market by PE, Napoleon, Quadrafire and its an option on the Jotul Rangeley.

That's a great point, BG, and one I often forget. I'd easily put a PE Alderlea up against a soapstone or a "true" cast iron!

We still haven't figured out if the poster's wife likes the cast iron look. Some feel the cast stoves are too Gothic looking.

 

[Wade A.]

My wife loves the look of our Jotul Castine in blue/black. I would have preferred to go with something a little more...ummm....utilitarian, but I can't deny that it is the focal point of our living space. I tore out the gas insert and tricked out the alcove with travertine, and a limestone slab for a hearth. (Not that it really happened, because I haven't posted a picture yet...) Point is, it is sometimes not just the stove, but the whole hearth/backer/surround package. Yeah, you can drop a stove pad down, run the connector and it WILL heat your room. In my necka, we look at a cold stove 8 months out of they year, so special attention should be paid. Let's face it also: Some stoves have nicer lines than others. The Jotul Castine and Oslo have very feminine lines....lots of curves and arches. You can't really compare it favorably for LOOKS, to a welded box with a door. Heat output and burn times? Oh yeah, there are some better. The Castine is a sportscar, not a tractor and gondola trailer. Mileage varies considerably.

 

[barwick11]

thanks, but there must be something you'd hate to do...

HA! Yeah, if you have to pick a "punishment" for getting your way on the stove, pick dance lessons. They're actually pretty good...

 

[ddddddden]

Does the Mrs. like to cook? No cook top on a flush insert. Also not much heat without the fan. . .might be a factor in power outages. Mr. Green is going to tell you that a few inserts will convect well without the fan, but she doesn't have to know this. :cheese: p.s. ATM, Woodstock is having a crazy sale on their exceptionally pretty stoves.

 

[jimbom]

My wife liked a plain black Vermont Castings Encore. She called it cute.

 

[begreen]

My wife liked a plain black Vermont Castings Encore. She called it cute.

Hmm, let her rebuild one.

 

[ddddddden]

. . .oh yeah, the fan on an insert makes noise. Some more, some less, none silent while moving significant air, AFAIK.

 

[begreen]

There are several cast iron jacketed steel stove on the market by PE, Napoleon, Quadrafire and its an option on the Jotul Rangeley.

That's a great point, BG, and one I often forget. I'd easily put a PE Alderlea up against a soapstone or a "true" cast iron!

We still haven't figured out if the poster's wife likes the cast iron look. Some feel the cast stoves are too Gothic looking.

Lots of other choices in this market. The Hearthstone, Quadrafire, Hampton, Napoleon, Morso and PE units don't have the gothic arches of the Jotul line.

 

[velvetfoot]

Great ideas all.
Have to do some research and picture-hunting to put on a presentation.

 

[BrowningBAR]

My wife liked a plain black Vermont Castings Encore. She called it cute.

Hmm, let her rebuild one.

Honey, here's 300 yards of gaskets and six tubes of furnace cement. Let me know when you're done.

 

[begreen]

I'm with you BBar. The F3CB and F400 were beautiful stoves to look at, but I was the one constantly stoking them. The Alderlea was my decision. At first it was "a bit fat", but now she loves it for ease of loading and less refills.

 

[BrowningBAR]

I'm with you BBar. The F3CB and F400 were beautiful stoves to look at, but I was the one constantly stoking them. The Alderlea was my decision. At first it was "a bit fat", but now she loves it for ease of loading and less refills.

Now a days new stoves just appear without discussion.

 

[begreen]

Almost monthly!

 

[Hass]

Blaze king stoves are absolutely the most pretty stoves you can find.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Almost monthly!

:red:

If I keep this up I'll just move stoves around and cancel the gym membership.

 

[jimbom]

My wife liked a plain black Vermont Castings Encore. She called it cute.

Hmm, let her rebuild one.

Honey, here's 300 yards of gaskets and six tubes of furnace cement. Let me know when you're done.

So true. It is a complex little booger. I took out the fireback and checked out the cat and refractory. They were mint. Hope I have 4 or 5 years before those go. At that point, this stove will probably be replaced. No rebuild for me because of the parts cost. Just have to find another stove she thinks is cute.

The Atlanta stove has two gaskets and works like a charm. However, she does not think it is cute. It is a toad. Therefore, it is in the basement with the other outcasts like me, my junk, and the critters. But I love it.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Blaze king stoves are absolutely the most pretty stoves you can find.

It does laundry AND heats your home! :lol: