Looking for a New Stove

[Tennessee.Pilgrim]

Hello all, I have been scouring these forums for months and finally decided to join in.
I'm researching my next stove and I have not been able to decide on one yet.
Here is my situation, please feel free to offer your advice and opinions.

I am building a new home in Northern/Middle Tennessee, just outside of Ft Campbell, KY.
Winters are light 20s/30s with some nights in the teens. My old home had an Appalachian Stove in the basement and it heated a 3 story, 3,000 square ft home.

My new home will be one level at about 2,000 sq. ft. Nothing fancy, but I will splurge on the bones of the home. Things like windows, doors, and insulation.

My stove will be in the corner of the main room of the home. I have locked down all the details so that it should operate at max efficiently. All I need now is the stove. Here are some of my considerations.

Looks: It will be in our main room and I want it to look good.
- I prefer the look of Cast Iron, but I have found some steel that I like
- I really like the white porcelain look (as long as it cleans up easily)

So, I am looking for advice on Iron vs. Steel, and Finish considerations

Here are some that I have considered, but have not been completely sold on.

- Vermont Castings Encore

- Quadra Fire Explorer

- Pacific Energy Super Classic

- Hearthstone Shelburne

- Blaze King Ashford 30.2

Do any of these stoves stand out over the rest?

Money is always a consideration, I will pay for what I want, but I’m not interested in paying for a name.

So please share with me you recommendations for a good looking, efficient, and low maintenance stove.

 

[begreen]

The PE Alderlea T5 has the same guts as the Super but with the cast iron jacket. While you are looking consider add the Enviro Boston to the list.

 

[lsucet]

I will say that if it has good insulation, doors and windows, the Ashford can be a good choice. Also if temps are not bad during winter as you mentioned, the low and slow burn can be a good choice. Of course, many other stoves to look into it.

 

[Rickb]

From everything I have ever read on these forums stay away from the Vermont Castings.

All the others look like quality stoves. Out of all the stoves on your list the Ashford has the ability to be turned down to a lower output then the rest, therefor longer burns more then any of the others. However requires good wood supply. Also if your chimney length my be something that will alter what stove will be best. Some stoves do not work well on short chimneys. How tall will your stack be from the top of the stove?

 

[Woodsplitter67]

The VC encore is a good stove. Able to burn low and long. I get 12 hours with enough coles to easily relight. The top loading feature is great, just open the top and put in your splits with no worries. Iv had mine for a number of years with only basic maintenance so far. Im actually going to do the gaskets for the doors Ash pan and griddle this September. I know a number of people in my area that have them and with no issues eather. I get my chimney swept yearly and the sweep dosent see any more creosote than any of the other stoves that he sweeps on a regular basis. I heat 24/7 with my stove, havent had an issue. Go look at the stove, if you like it buy it. Dont let the naysayers sway you with the old wives tails. There was a time and a few models that we're not great and the Refractories did not hold up well thats true. Those models are well in the past and not available anymore. The 2040 is a quality stove. Iv read the the stff on the fourms about VC. I was not deterred from Vermont Castings because of the number of people that I know have the stove and they have been reliable.

 

[bholler]

I agree the new vc stoves are certainly a step up from the past. But still have a long way to go in terms of durability and ease of use when compared to most other stoves on the market.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I'd check out the Pacific Energy T5 that BG mentioned. It's been an excellent stove.

 

[darktower007]

Blaze King Is the route I went. Call Hearth Appliance and Sales in Portland Tn. Ask for Mary. She arranged a great deal on my Ashford 25. (I live in Chattanooga). Good luck!


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[Tennessee.Pilgrim]

I’m looking hard at the Ashford 20 & Boston 1200.
I can’t find a price on either and that could push one to the top.

 

[jetsam]

I remember someone saying that the prices they got quoted on the ashford 20 and ashford 30 were pretty similar. You won't be sorry you got the bigger firebox with the BK- those stoves turn WAY down.

 

[Ashful]

- Vermont Castings Encore

- Quadra Fire Explorer

- Pacific Energy Super Classic

- Hearthstone Shelburne

- Blaze King Ashford 30.2

Do any of these stoves stand out over the rest?

I wouldn’t install a new VC in my house if it was free, it’s just not worth the frustration, based on what owners have been reporting here over the last half dozen years.

If looking at PE, I’d be shopping the Alderlea. Beautiful stove, and I’ve never read a complaint about them. I don’t know their Super Classic.

If you want longest burn time and widest range of output, you can’t beat the BK Ashford with anything else on your list, but do be aware some have had smoke smell issues with that model. I have two Ashford 30’s, and haven’t had this issue, but there are about a dozen others here who have.

 

[begreen]

The PE Super is their original and most time-proven design. This is the core engine in the T5 as well.

 

[Tennessee.Pilgrim]

Ok, so I settled on the Boston 1200. But as I’m trying to find one, I discovered that Enviro will stop making stoves due to the new 2020 EPA standards.

 

[Tennessee.Pilgrim]

I just came across a Hearthstone Manchester new in the crate for $1500. Can anyone give me any reason why I shouldn’t jump on this?

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Would you be loading from the front or side? It looks like a fairly shallow stove if you don't load from the side.

 

[Tennessee.Pilgrim]

I can load it either way. It has a 2.9 cu ft box.

 

[tadmaz]

If the Hearthstone falls through, look also at the Hampton H300.

 

[begreen]

The Manchester should be fine if in excellent condition. The very earliest models had door latch and hinge issues. Check to see when the stove was made. If it is an early model (2013?) check whether these parts were updated.

 

[Tennessee.Pilgrim]

Thank you all for your input. In the end price became the determining factor on my final selection. I just picked up a Hearthstone Manchester for $1,500.

 

[begreen]

Congratulations, that's a great price on a handsome stove. Is it the brown porcelain-enameled model that is in the picture? Did you find out when it was made?

 

[Tennessee.Pilgrim]

It is Brown Porcelain. I haven’t located the date yet but it is still in the original crate from the distributor, and it is the 8360 model.

 

[begreen]

That's the original. The 8361 has the upgrades. Might be good to see if the upgrade parts for the side door and latches are still offered.

 

[Tennessee.Pilgrim]

I stand corrected. It is actually an 8361 built in 2018.

 

[begreen]

Great. You scored really well then. That stove sells for well over twice what you paid.

 

[timfromohio]

You got a smokin' deal !

That is a gorgeous stove. Happy burning.