Local Wood Stove Shop Sale - Any deals you would jump on?

[Young_Buck]

Hello,

The local wood stove shop is having their big annual tent sale. They claim this is their biggest sale of the year. They posted a pre-buy list of all of the stoves that are going on sale. I'm looking for a new stove for our unfinished basement. Yes, I know, it should be upstairs, but I'm planning on finishing the basement next year - no question.

(broken link removed)

I'm thinking about the large cast iron ducthwest stove (non-cat). Thoughts?

So, what do you all think? We have very few local stove shops in VT, so this is one of the few options we have for a dealer. Have heard not such great things about service after the sale, but...does that matter that much?

 

[teutonicking]

Hello,

The local wood stove shop is having their big annual tent sale. They claim this is their biggest sale of the year. They posted a pre-buy list of all of the stoves that are going on sale. I'm looking for a new stove for our unfinished basement. Yes, I know, it should be upstairs, but I'm planning on finishing the basement next year - no question.

(broken link removed)

I'm thinking about the large cast iron ducthwest stove (non-cat). Thoughts?

So, what do you all think? We have very few local stove shops in VT, so this is one of the few options we have for a dealer. Have heard not such great things about service after the sale, but...does that matter that much?

The Manchesters and Mansfields both look like good buys to me.
You may also want to check out a Quadrafire Isle Royale and Jotul F600.

 

[Sprinter]

Have heard not such great things about service after the sale, but...does that matter that much?

How bad? That may be a red flag to me and make me wonder about them. Yes, I would try to find a dealer with a good rep before and after sale.

My advice: Shop around.

Take a look at Woodstock. They are in NH, sell online only, with a stellar reputation for customer satisfaction and quality stoves. Many happy owners here. http://www.woodstove.com/

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

Joful fan here. Just keep an eye on the pricing, ,it may be a tent sale but I'm sure most shops will compete at this time of the year. Keep an eye out!

 

[Young_Buck]

How bad? That may be a red flag to me and make me wonder about them. Yes, I would try to find a dealer with a good rep before and after sale.

My advice: Shop around.

Take a look at Woodstock. They are in NH, sell online only, with a stellar reputation for customer satisfaction and quality stoves. Many happy owners here. http://www.woodstove.com/

Thanks for the advice. I am going on the few people that have written reviews on Google - only 3 - all negative. They probably sell hundreds of stoves per year.

 

[Young_Buck]

Thanks for the advice. I am going on the few people that have written reviews on Google - only 3 - all negative. They probably sell hundreds of stoves per year.

Also, I would like add that I'm only able to spend about 2k total. Woodstock stoves are really nice, but are a little to rich for my blood.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I bought my insert in February, I have not or don't have any intention of contacting the place where I have bought from...

 

[begreen]

Before going for a Dutchwest non-cat, you should read up on this stove. The downdraft version can be fussy. If this is your first stove, I would select another. If your wood isn't fully split and seasoned, avoid it. If your chimney is less than 16ft straight up, find another choice.

 

[webby3650]

You want to avoid that Non-cat Dutchwest like the plague! If you go for it, you will get to know that dealer VERY well! Their secondary combustion system is plagued with problems. See if they have a large Cat Dutchwest. The cat stove is pretty problem free and is a great heater.

I find it odd that he has so many Castleton's, they haven't even been released in full production. Dealers got 1 to display as far as I know. Maybe being in New England he can get them. If he has a black Castleton, check it out! They retail right at $2k.

 

[Grisu]

How bad? That may be a red flag to me and make me wonder about them. Yes, I would try to find a dealer with a good rep before and after sale.

My advice: Shop around.

Take a look at Woodstock. They are in NH, sell online only, with a stellar reputation for customer satisfaction and quality stoves. Many happy owners here. http://www.woodstove.com/

Not much to shop around here. I live in the most densely populated area in Vermont and we have 4 dealers here. If you want a specific brand you essentially have one choice. When I bought my PE I had one store to go to, the next one is 1.5 hours South of here. Nevertheless, it worked out ok. The guys who installed it were pretty nice and took good care of the floor etc. When I had problems with one blower they came within a few days checked it out and replaced it a few weeks later when they received the part from PE. Since then I have not needed to contact them. In fact, if you have solid stove I don't see much need for good dealer support beyond installation. If I would get a good deal on a stove I may take that gamble.

The question I would have for the OP is what size area he actually wants to heat? Maybe a mid-size Drolet or Lopi would work just fine and in the end be cheaper than any of the sale items.

P.S. Here you can compare some of the sale prices to standard pricing of another stove shop: (broken link removed to http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/fswood.htm)

 

[firecracker_77]

How bad? That may be a red flag to me and make me wonder about them. Yes, I would try to find a dealer with a good rep before and after sale.

My advice: Shop around.

Take a look at Woodstock. They are in NH, sell online only, with a stellar reputation for customer satisfaction and quality stoves. Many happy owners here. http://www.woodstove.com/

Woodstock has demo models for sale. I bought a Franklin gas in July 2011 for $1250...50% off list. This is the stove I have in an urban area where woodstoves are not allowed. The stone is not as pretty as Hearthstone as it's not polished the same way, but my family adores it. Woodstock was good to deal with factory direct, and I've had zero problems burning it 24/7 for two seasons.

 

[Young_Buck]

Not much to shop around here. I live in the most densely populated area in Vermont and we have 4 dealers here. If you want a specific brand you essentially have one choice. When I bought my PE I had one store to go to, the next one is 1.5 hours South of here. Nevertheless, it worked out ok. The guys who installed it were pretty nice and took good care of the floor etc. When I had problems with one blower they came within a few days checked it out and replaced it a few weeks later when they received the part from PE. Since then I have not needed to contact them. In fact, if you have solid stove I don't see much need for good dealer support beyond installation. If I would get a good deal on a stove I may take that gamble.

The question I would have for the OP is what size area he actually wants to heat? Maybe a mid-size Drolet or Lopi would work just fine and in the end be cheaper than any of the sale items.

P.S. Here you can compare some of the sale prices to standard pricing of another stove shop: (broken link removed to http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/fswood.htm)

Thank you, Grisu. It's nice to have a fellow Vermonter on here. I live in between Middlebury and Rutland and there are not a lot of choices for local stove shops. Can I ask which store you bought from?

Regarding the size of our home - it's a 1250 sq. ft rancher. The stove would be going in the basement which is partially finished and pretty well insulated. I am going to finishing the rest of it off next year. I have an old Shenandoah Heater now. It burns HOT but won't burn long. It has a thermostat on the front door that closes way too quickly and chokes the fire. I keep it open and control it as best I can with a pipe damper. Not sure the height of the chimney - 18-20 ft maybe?

I think I need a pretty good sized stove. The Shenandoah will get the basement into the 70s no problem, but I'd like a little more heat upstairs. Finishing the basement will help a lot, I think.

The wood is 1-2 year old split and stacked. A lot of black locust.

Thoughts here?

Thank you all.

 

[Todd]

I think I'd jump on the Shelburne or one of those Castletons. Stay away from the Dutchwest Neverburn!

 

[Ashful]

Joful fan here...

I have fans?



If I were looking at non-cat stoves, I don't think Dutchwest would be one of them. There are so many better choices. I would only consider a Dutchwest if I were shopping in the (much more limited) cat stove market.

 

[teutonicking]

I have fans?



If I were looking at non-cat stoves, I don't think Dutchwest would be one of them. There are so many better choices. I would only consider a Dutchwest if I were shopping in the (much more limited) cat stove market.

I'm a Joful fan.

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

I'm a Joful fan.

Time for a fan page. Jotul typos to joful all the time on my phone.

 

[Grisu]

Thank you, Grisu. It's nice to have a fellow Vermonter on here. I live in between Middlebury and Rutland and there are not a lot of choices for local stove shops. Can I ask which store you bought from?

Stove and Flag works in Williston/Montpelier. No frills, typical old-school VT shop but will do what is necessary. Were offering PE, Quadrafire and some other brand (maybe VC?) back then. The next closest PE dealer was in Rutland actually; maybe they are still there. Could be worth checking out. The other ones around here are:
The Chimneysweep from above, the Heating Alternatives in Jericho (if they still exist, was not too impressed with them), and Green Mountain Fireplaces in Williston (http://greenmountainfireplaces.com/). At that time they only had Enviro as wood stove brand, have added some since then.

Regarding the size of our home - it's a 1250 sq. ft rancher. The stove would be going in the basement which is partially finished and pretty well insulated. I am going to finishing the rest of it off next year. I have an old Shenandoah Heater now. It burns HOT but won't burn long. It has a thermostat on the front door that closes way too quickly and chokes the fire. I keep it open and control it as best I can with a pipe damper. Not sure the height of the chimney - 18-20 ft maybe?

I think I need a pretty good sized stove. The Shenandoah will get the basement into the 70s no problem, but I'd like a little more heat upstairs. Finishing the basement will help a lot, I think.

Is that 1200 sqft one level or both? That will determine whether you need a medium size stove (firebox ~2 cu ft) or a large one (~3 cu ft). How well does the heat travel upstairs? Are you thinking of doing the install yourself? Maybe you can order one through the internet. Is the diameter of your chimney 6 inches or 8?

The wood is 1-2 year old split and stacked. A lot of black locust.

Thoughts here?

Thank you all.

Black Locust, lucky guy. Have not found that one yet. When dry, only needs some lighter wood mixed in or a good coal bed to get started. Should be dry after 2 years in a good location. Given how much rain we were getting lately I like to top cover my stacks.

 

[Ashful]

Jotul typos to joful all the time on my phone.

You know you've "arrived" when the almighty spell checker recognizes you.

 

[Young_Buck]

Stove and Flag works in Williston/Montpelier. No frills, typical old-school VT shop but will do what is necessary. Were offering PE, Quadrafire and some other brand (maybe VC?) back then. The next closest PE dealer was in Rutland actually; maybe they are still there. Could be worth checking out. The other ones around here are:
The Chimneysweep from above, the Heating Alternatives in Jericho (if they still exist, was not too impressed with them), and Green Mountain Fireplaces in Williston (http://greenmountainfireplaces.com/). At that time they only had Enviro as wood stove brand, have added some since then.



Is that 1200 sqft one level or both? That will determine whether you need a medium size stove (firebox ~2 cu ft) or a large one (~3 cu ft). How well does the heat travel upstairs? Are you thinking of doing the install yourself? Maybe you can order one through the internet. Is the diameter of your chimney 6 inches or 8?



Black Locust, lucky guy. Have not found that one yet. When dry, only needs some lighter wood mixed in or a good coal bed to get started. Should be dry after 2 years in a good location. Given how much rain we were getting lately I like to top cover my stacks.

Thanks again for the info. The 1200 sq. ft. is each level - 2400 sq. ft. total. The heat travels upstairs ok, I'd like it to be better, but I don't have an option for putting a stove upstairs - no chimney to connect into, as it runs through the middle of our house. I don't think I would want to cut a hole in the ceiling/roof - too much of a PITA.

Regarding the intall, I was thinking of having whoever I order from do it - at least I will know it is done right (hopefully). The chimney size is 6 in.

I like the Drolet Myriad and also the Englander NC30, but there are no local options for either of them. A store in Middlebury carries Drolet, but they are a farm store that just happens to carries stoves - little knowledge or support there.

I will continue to look around. Thanks again.

-YB

 

[Young_Buck]

Thanks again for the info. The 1200 sq. ft. is each level - 2400 sq. ft. total. The heat travels upstairs ok, I'd like it to be better, but I don't have an option for putting a stove upstairs - no chimney to connect into, as it runs through the middle of our house. I don't think I would want to cut a hole in the ceiling/roof - too much of a PITA.

Regarding the intall, I was thinking of having whoever I order from do it - at least I will know it is done right (hopefully). The chimney size is 6 in.

I like the Drolet Myriad and also the Englander NC30, but there are no local options for either of them. A store in Middlebury carries Drolet, but they are a farm store that just happens to carries stoves - little knowledge or support there.

I will continue to look around. Thanks again.

-YB

Yeah, the Locust burns real good. My backyard is full of them...

 

[begreen]

I am not too excited by that sale, especially if you are looking for a good low cost heater. Englander 30NC, Drolet Myriad, Napoleon 1900, PE Summit, or an Osburn 2400 are all good workhorses. You'll be able to find the first two for around $1000.

 

[firecracker_77]

I am not too excited by that sale, especially if you are looking for a good low cost heater. Englander 30NC, Drolet Myriad, Napoleon 1900, PE Summit, or an Osburn 2400 are all good workhorses. You'll be able to find the first two for around $1000.

The Englander 30 and Huskee 22 ton splitter appear to be widely regarded on here as tremendous bang for the buck. A 3 cubic foot stove at $1,000 is hard to beat

 

[Grisu]

Thanks again for the info. The 1200 sq. ft. is each level - 2400 sq. ft. total. The heat travels upstairs ok, I'd like it to be better, but I don't have an option for putting a stove upstairs - no chimney to connect into, as it runs through the middle of our house. I don't think I would want to cut a hole in the ceiling/roof - too much of a PITA.

Regarding the intall, I was thinking of having whoever I order from do it - at least I will know it is done right (hopefully). The chimney size is 6 in.

I like the Drolet Myriad and also the Englander NC30, but there are no local options for either of them. A store in Middlebury carries Drolet, but they are a farm store that just happens to carries stoves - little knowledge or support there.

I will continue to look around. Thanks again.

-YB

Don't let your choice of stove be dictated by the stove shop. You can always just buy the stove, have it delivered and then hire a certified chimney sweep (http://www.csia.org/) to do the install for/with you. Given the stories that we see here about "professional" installs you may probably get a better job done going that route. He will also be able to check your chimney at the same time. The NC-30 can be had at Home Depot for usually $900 and the Drolet Myriad is also not a bad heater.
Maybe you would also be interested in a used one:
Avalon Olympic, $850: (broken link removed to http://burlington.craigslist.org/for/3951534030.html)
Various rebuilt stoves; maybe they have something in your size: (broken link removed to http://burlington.craigslist.org/for/3946951759.html)
Hearthstone Mansfield, $2000: (broken link removed to http://burlington.craigslist.org/for/3983739790.html) (It's a drive but if you like the look maybe worth checking out.)

 

[Young_Buck]

Don't let your choice of stove be dictated by the stove shop. You can always just buy the stove, have it delivered and then hire a certified chimney sweep (http://www.csia.org/) to do the install for/with you. Given the stories that we see here about "professional" installs you may probably get a better job done going that route. He will also be able to check your chimney at the same time. The NC-30 can be had at Home Depot for usually $900 and the Drolet Myriad is also not a bad heater.
Maybe you would also be interested in a used one:
Avalon Olympic, $850: (broken link removed to http://burlington.craigslist.org/for/3951534030.html)
Various rebuilt stoves; maybe they have something in your size: (broken link removed to http://burlington.craigslist.org/for/3946951759.html)
Hearthstone Mansfield, $2000: (broken link removed to http://burlington.craigslist.org/for/3983739790.html) (It's a drive but if you like the look maybe worth checking out.)

Thanks again, Grisu. I like to buy local when I can, but sometimes you cannot get what you need/want locally. I'm going to call around a bit on the PE Summit and Napolean 1900 that begreen mentioned earlier. Both of those look like nice stoves. Not sure on price yet, though.

Thanks again!

 

[begreen]

The basic Summit is about $2100 out here. The Napoleon 1900 should be a bit less in your area. It's made in Quebec.