New Ideal Steel vs. Fireview 201

[motorsargeT]

I am having a bit of a conundrum. I have an ideal steel from Woodstock on order scheduled to be built the last week of December which my wife is not absolutely in love with. Since I ordered it I have come across an older fireview 201 (1994 build date) that is in amazing shape for $500 and my wife likes the fireview. New combuster this spring, old couple that used it for primary heat for the last 12 years. I have checked the stove myself and it is in amazing shape. I would pull it apart and rebuild it before I put it in service in my house just to be safe but I'm not sure I want to buy a 20 year old stove. If it was a 205 we would probably be picking it up this weekend. I wanted the IS due to its size, not necessarily for our current home but more for our "after kids move out" house we are going to be building. They both are capable of heating the space but the IS is overkill for our current setup whereas a fireview will be a bit small in the new house. Does anybody think it would be worth getting the old Fireview and fixing it up (probably $7-800 total) or should I keep sweet talking the IS up. Buying a new Fireview is not an option because if we are going to spend the money, we are getting the bigger stove.

 

[BrotherBart]

Why not cancel the IS and give the Fireview a go? You can always sell the Fireview later and reorder an IS. And not have to sleep on the couch.

 

[motorsargeT]

[BrotherBart, post: 1810338, member: 6"]Why not cancel the IS and give the Fireview a go? You can always sell the Fireview later and reorder an IS. And not have to sleep on the couch.[/quote]


That was my original idea but I am worried the IS price will go up once they have been in production for a while.

 

[begreen]

Agreed. If you build a new empty nester house later, who knows what new stove tech might attract you then? Regardless the house might be smaller and being new, could be very well insulated. If so, in both cases the Fireview should be up to the task.

 

[motorsargeT]

Thanks guys. That makes it easier. More money in my pocket. I just needed to hear it from some one else.

 

[DougA]

I personally like the design of the Woodstock IS but it is not for everyone. Those who don't like it seem to hate it - a big problem if you want to keep your wife happy. If you are building a new home, it will probably be much more insulated (and air tight) and not require as much heat as you might think. As begreen says, at that time you might find all kinds of new designs that are more advanced.

 

[JA600L]

I know nothing about the Fireview, but I can speak for the Ideal steel. The Ideal Steel puts out an incredible amount of heat. With good dry wood, this stove creates a very satisfying heat with a nice secondary flame show. I burnt cherry and soft maple last night and woke up to 74 degrees upstairs (basement install) with plenty of fuel left over. It was 25 degrees. I can't wait to run my 3 year old oak through it .

 

[ddddddden]

+1 for the Fireview.

If it is in amazing shape, you might be able to just freshen up the easy gaskets and get through the season just fine, then if you decide it's a keeper, do the full rebuild next year. I *think* it's even possible to retrofit the 205 baffle+plumbing to the 201, but I dunno if it would be worth it. Woodstock's efficiency numbers for the 201/200 Classic are almost as good as those for the 205. . .biggest advantage to the 205 is probably that the airwash works better and keeps the glass clean. If all goes well, the Mrs. will love it and will "work with you" when it's time for the next stove.

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[NewStoveGuy]

I have not used the IS, but love the concept and like the look. That being said the all the soapstone in the Fireview is just awesome. It does take a little longer to get that mass heated up, but once you do it's downright shocking how long and evenly it radiates, all while you sit (almost) right next to it. I'm spoiled on soapstone now.

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