Newbi happy I found this site

[greenmtnman]

to start we had a minus -4 f or minus -22 c.
Another reason I'm happy to have found this site. Hoping I could get some good advice.
I have a WESO coal/wood stove. It looks great but I don't believe it is a very effecent wood stove.
I saw a VC Encore for sale that is about 8 years old.
I have no idea if vc encore is a good stove or not......I don't believe what VC says I want to hear what you folks belive is a good stove. I'm seeing the VC this weekend. I don't like buying new. So used is the way to go.
Any ideas about the VC or is the weso still better?
there are two VC encores 4 sale one with and one with out converter
thanx

 

[swestall]

The VC Encore with CAT is a good stove. You have to make sure nothing is warped by good inspection and you have to make sure there are no air leaks. Most folks who buy one end up rebuilding. Which is take apart and replace gaskets, cement on seams and possibly the CAT. The CAT costs aprox $200.00, gaskets and cement are not much. But if you need to replace any parts due to warping or cracking that can get expensive quickly. If you put a trouble light in the stove in a dark room, you can usually see light if the seams are leaking. Also, look down the place where the flue pipe attaches and make sure the refractory box (made from soft insulation type fiberboard) is not dammaged.
The Encore will put out a lot of heat and burns very clean. It would heat aprox 2000SQ/FT of space depending on insulation/windows being good.

 

[webbie]

I would be wary of an Encore in VT because it may have had heavy use. This would mean many hundreds in replacement parts.

BUT, if it turns out that it is a "cream puff" that some flatlanders put in for decoration and ran a cord a year through it, you will be OK.

In general, though, I would only buy used if you get a great deal....you can spend 3-400 on a new converter and the ceramic that surrounds it - add gasketing and a few other parts and you can see why only a "primo" stove is a good deal.

If you are very handy and don't mind a rebuild...and can get something real cheap (and therefore figure on all the parts and time), then it may be a different story.

In general, this stove will cost you more to operate over the years than a steel stove or a simple non-cat cast. I liken it to a Mercedes - the service and parts will be higher.

In terms of the Weso, it might be designed for mostly coal (smaller firebox).

 

[greenmtnman]

Thanks for your reply Firestarter sounds like you understand the encore.
Craig what I understand about the stoves is that they are 8 years old the person selling them moved out of NY area year ago, back to the city. She did mention that the stoves were their main source of heat. and the one in the basement was used when they were down there watching a game. This is a n/c model. The one upstairs in the main level was use all the time. She mention that it worked great. it heated a 2400+ sf log home. I will remember what both of you said and will take a flash light to check them out. The price is below 700. Its not that far from me so 30 min drive and will check them out.
Craig what would you suggest is the best stove for VT as a main heat

 

[Webwidow]

Is your Weso the brown tile unit? Craig is correct the Weso was designed primarily as a coal unit.

 

[greenmtnman]

Yes it is the brown tile. It works / looks great but not so sure if it is worth the amount of wood