Newbie Question - Should I replace this stove? Is it safe to operate?

[Cyxelsid]

OK, so I am a REAL newbie here... recovering city dweller moving out to the country. I have never owned or operated a wood stove, so I have a lot of learning to do.

This question may have already been asked, but I am up against a deadline in the purchase of a home with a wood stove, and I have to make a decision very soon (24 hours) on whether or not I need to ask the Seller of the house to pay for a new stove or not. I will peruse through the threads, but I thought I would try and save some time and ask a quick question.

We did the home inspection today, and the home inspector said he saw cracking/damage in the fireplace fire wall. According to the inspector, this could lead to "chimney damage or toxic fumes entering the home".

As you can see, there is a Mickey Mouse wiring job on the attached blower, I know that is going to have to be redone, obviously. Inspector also recommended the stove be thoroughly cleaned. (I will be looking for a thread on proper maintenance of a wood stove!)

The immediate question is this: Is the inspector being overly cautious or is this a real issue? If this is a real issue, then rather than play games with safety, I will just ask for concessions to replace the stove. If it is not that big of a deal, then I may not address this, as there are other items that need to be addressed as well. It is all about spreading limited resources as far as possible. But safety issues take first priority.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[bholler]

OK, so I am a REAL newbie here... recovering city dweller moving out to the country. I have never owned or operated a wood stove, so I have a lot of learning to do.

This question may have already been asked, but I am up against a deadline in the purchase of a home with a wood stove, and I have to make a decision very soon (24 hours) on whether or not I need to ask the Seller of the house to pay for a new stove or not. I will peruse through the threads, but I thought I would try and save some time and ask a quick question.

We did the home inspection today, and the home inspector said he saw cracking/damage in the fireplace fire wall. According to the inspector, this could lead to "chimney damage or toxic fumes entering the home".

As you can see, there is a Mickey Mouse wiring job on the attached blower, I know that is going to have to be redone, obviously. Inspector also recommended the stove be thoroughly cleaned. (I will be looking for a thread on proper maintenance of a wood stove!)

The immediate question is this: Is the inspector being overly cautious or is this a real issue? If this is a real issue, then rather than play games with safety, I will just ask for concessions to replace the stove. If it is not that big of a deal, then I may not address this, as there are other items that need to be addressed as well. It is all about spreading limited resources as far as possible. But safety issues take first priority.

Any help would be appreciated.

View attachment 328551View attachment 328552

There is absolutely no way to know without a full on-site inspection sorry

 

[EatenByLimestone]

That looks like a Consolidated Dutchwest. A good stove for the 80s, but there’s better out now. I’d see if the seller would give you a credit and you can find a stove that meets your needs. Worst they can say is no.

 

[Cyxelsid]

That looks like a Consolidated Dutchwest. A good stove for the 80s, but there’s better out now. I’d see if the seller would give you a credit and you can find a stove that meets your needs. Worst they can say is no.

You are probably right, better safe than sorry!

 

[stovelark]

That is an old CDW, never a great stove to start with. Find something more modern, you'll appreciate your investment.

 

[bholler]

That is an old CDW, never a great stove to start with. Find something more modern, you'll appreciate your investment.

They actually were fantastic stoves for their day and can still work quite well

 

[stovelark]

Totally disagree, which is allowed I believe. Their cat operation was not great, the door handles were questionable and when VC owned them at least, their support wasn't the best. Modern non cats and even new cat models are probably better for a person not familiar with that unit. Just my opinion...

 

[Wisco Shepherd]

If its a smaller home you could look at Drolet who makes really nice affordable stuff. Might cause less headaches. Get ahead on wood now you will not be able to order it dry. Still time for solar kiln or maybe drying out softwoods.

 

[stovelark]

Good advice, a steel stove is easier to use, burns clean but does need good dry seasoned wood like all stoves to work well.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Get the credit. Spend the time deciding which stove to buy that suits your needs. Don’t let the seller decide what to put in there.

 

[John Galt]

Realize that the inspection report is for you to understand what issues you may face if you bought this house. It is not a repair list that the seller must resolve. All you can do is ask if they are willing to fix an issue or discount the price, it's all a negotiation. They can say yes, no, or something in between.

 

[begreen]

Totally disagree, which is allowed I believe. Their cat operation was not great, the door handles were questionable and when VC owned them at least, their support wasn't the best. Modern non cats and even new cat models are probably better for a person not familiar with that unit. Just my opinion...

There are various generations of the Dutchwest stoves. The cat versions weren't bad stoves. The VC non-cat version was not a good design and quickly earned the phrase "neverburn" as a takeoff of the everburn marketing name. We had a new one here in the early days that self-destructed in 3 years.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

If it were me, I would get a new modern stove. Do some research/continue asking questions on this forum, and you feel much more informed in no time. There’s the crack the inspector mentioned but I’d be curious how the overall chimney set up is. I would not assume that that is ok. After do some research, hopefully you have access to a reputable installer. The folks on this site can walk you through what a new set up should look like from top to bottom. You’re in good hands.

The part you should be doing right now however is getting a good wood supply going. If you’re burning the whole winter, figure on 4 cords, maybe 5 if it’s really cold there. If you are feeling like you’re in this for the long haul, order 10 cords of wood now, to ensure dry wood at least for 2 winters from now. Sounds excessive but it’s not.

Beginning wood burning is tough, but you will gain knowledge steadily and be a firewood master before you know it.

 

[Cyxelsid]

Thank you to all who have responded, I greatly appreciate it! I have been in the field all week for work and the house, so I have not had a lot of time to jump online.

I think you are all correct, and we should just ask for the credit and find our own modern stove. I will be searching here on the forum for recommendations, and I may start a new string.

The issue of seasoned wood is definitely going to be something to address. We don't take possession until 8/30 and we will be behind the figurative 8-ball. The house has electric baseboard heating, so we won't freeze to death, but the electric bill will be HUGE. They have about 1/2 cord of seasoned wood that is coming with the house... but that isn't going to last long I imagine. Especially if you are all saying 4 cords for a winter! Temps in this area of Colorado are cold to moderate, with the worst winter days averaging in the low teens, but occasionally going a few degrees negative for a several days between January and March. I will start looking for firewood ASAP. Even if I have to buy it now and have them hold it until 9/1.

I THINK the stove pipe set up is OK, it is a straight up shot through the ceiling. (See Photo). But i will certainly get someone in to clean it out before winter. I assumed that installing a stove would be RELATIVELY easy for a DIY guy... but maybe I am wrong? If anyone can save me time by pointing to specific posts I can review, it would be greatly appreciated.

All of your expertise is also appreciated! The one good thing about the social internet is shared knowledge through forums like this!

 

[bigealta]

If you are a good diy guy you should be able to handle a new stove replacement. Assuming the chimney and stove pipe check out ok. If that's 6" pipe you will have lots of stove options. You can start looking online for used stoves if you want to go that way.

 

[Todd]

With that high ceiling and open floor plan I’d look into a more radiant stove than a shielded convective stove like that Dutchwest.