PE: Super 27 or Alderlea?

[Sprinter]

I understand that the Alderlea T5 is basically a Super 27 with a cast iron sleeve. It looks very nice and has the moveable trivets. Other than that, what advantages does the Alderlea offer? For example, does that extra mass actually make significant difference in how it feels in the home, and does it convect and transfer heat to the air any better than the super27?

I think it's going to be one of the two for me at this point and I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the extra dough for the Alderlea, other than looks. Thanks.

 

[BrowningBAR]

The Super 27 is also $600 cheaper.

 

[begreen]

I think the extra mass helps reduce temperature swings. My neighbor's Spectrum feels a bit warmer along side and does not hold the heat quite as well when the fire dies down. The trivets are great and very flexible depending on how one wants to use them. The ashpan, IMO is a joke though due to the little ash hole. That said, they're both good stoves and good performers. The $600 difference over the life of the stove is trivial. Get the one the she likes.

 

[fossil]

Yup, if you've got it narrowed down to one of those two stoves, and the $600 isn't a showstopper for you, then buy the stove you all want to have in your home for a long time. You're long past all the tech stuff & performance specs...now just look at them for a spell, and pick the one of these two that you get the most pleasure out of looking at. Rick

 

[Sprinter]

I think the extra mass helps reduce temperature swings. My neighbor's Spectrum feels a bit warmer along side and does not hold the heat quite as well when the fire dies down. The trivets are great and very flexible depending on how one wants to use them. The ashpan, IMO is a joke though due to the little ash hole. That said, they're both good stoves and good performers. The $600 difference over the life of the stove is trivial. Get the one the she likes.

Trivial to you, maybe But, I understand about it being a long term investment and something you have to look at and possibly bump into every day for the next whatever years. I went through the same thing with my new ZTR mower that I spent over 5k on. I hated doing it, but it only hurt for a little while and I'm glad I got a good one every time I use it.

Ironically, the wife seems to prefer the plain jane version, but I'm not sure if she is just being practical. Oh, regarding the trivets, is the top of the trivets actually hot enough to cook on? It seems like it would be much cooler there than the top of the steel. In other words, it this a practical feature, or just something to give the sales people something to talk about?

 

[begreen]

The trivet tops are great for simmering, swing them out and they make good bun warmers and bread dough risers. For high heat, swing the trivet open and cook directly on the stove top. When swung out, they also make great mitten warmers and boot driers.

 

[Highbeam]

There's also the two window options now. Which one do you like, the sunburst or the clear? Since you've decided on the super firebox there is also the third option, the one with colored tin for yet another look. Oh and there is the super 27 steptop. All use the same firebox and for a non-cat it is about the best there is.

 

[Sprinter]

There's also the two window options now. Which one do you like, the sunburst or the clear? Since you've decided on the super firebox there is also the third option, the one with colored tin for yet another look. Oh and there is the super 27 steptop. All use the same firebox and for a non-cat it is about the best there is.

Hmm, I haven't looked into those options. Thanks.

I'd like to broach one other topic. A while back, there was some negative discussion about PE's warranty policy and also about quality control, mostly concerning cracks. What's the consensus here about all that? Much ado about nothing or should I be especially careful about inspecting mine before accepting it (anything in particular to look for)? I did notice something I didn't like about the dealer's display model. Just inside the door on top of the box, there is a thick steel L-bracket on both sides. On their model the one on the right was not bent at 90*, more like 70* which was very obvious. The other ones I've looked at were normal. It may not have been a serious thing in itself, but makes me wonder a bit about QC at the factory. I just don't know what to make of it.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Hmm, I haven't looked into those options. Thanks.

I'd like to broach one other topic. A while back, there was some negative discussion about PE's warranty policy and also about quality control, mostly concerning cracks. What's the consensus here about all that? Much ado about nothing or should I be especially careful about inspecting mine before accepting it (anything in particular to look for)? I did notice something I didn't like about the dealer's display model. Just inside the door on top of the box, there is a thick steel L-bracket on both sides. On their model the one on the right was not bent at 90*, more like 70* which was very obvious. The other ones I've looked at were normal. It may not have been a serious thing in itself, but makes me wonder a bit about QC at the factory. I just don't know what to make of it.

All of the cracks involved their inserts, if I recall correctly. The fact is, dealing with any stove company is going to be a pain when it comes to the warranty policy. You will see complaints regarding quality control, parts, and customer service for nearly every stove manufacturer. The only two that come to mind that have avoided this are Englander and Woodstock.

But, even those two companies will have the occasional issue with quality control. I remember a few threads regarding cracked stones and other issues for Woodstock. They handled the problems well, but quality control issues will pop up for every line at some point.

 

[rideau]

All of the cracks involved their inserts, if I recall correctly. The fact is, dealing with any stove company is going to be a pain when it comes to the warranty policy. You will see complaints regarding quality control, parts, and customer service for nearly every stove manufacturer. The only two that come to mind that have avoided this are Englander and Woodstock.

But, even those two companies will have the occasional issue with quality control. I remember a few threads regarding cracked stones and other issues for Woodstock. They handled the problems well, but quality control issues will pop up for every line at some point.

for the record, the cracked stones were on the original design tops for the PH. A beautiful top, but it required a single, very large and quite thick piece of soapstone. The quarry was unable to consistently provide a a single, large, thick piece of soapstone that would not crack. Only some cracked. Initially Woodstock replaced them, but, after a few cracked, Woodstock redesigned the top. A great company, and great quality control and customer service and response and courtesy. A pleasure dealing with the good folks.

 

[BrowningBAR]

for the record, the cracked stones were on the original design tops for the PH. A beautiful top, but it required a single, very large and quite thick piece of soapstone. The quarry was unable to consistently provide a a single, large, thick piece of soapstone that would not crack. Only some cracked. Initially Woodstock replaced them, but, after a few cracked, Woodstock redesigned the top. A great company, and great quality control and customer service and response and courtesy. A pleasure dealing with the good folks.

There were also a few posts in the past that had cracked stones in Fireviews. Again, like all stove companies, this will happen.

 

[albertj03]

I've been extremely happy with my Super 27. I'm going on my third season with it and it's stood up to everything I've thrown at it with no signs of any cracks or other issues. I have mine in my basement but if I had it in a living room or something I probably would have gone with the T5 for the extra looks.

 

[stovelark]

Both stoves are nice. From a stove shop perspective, the Alderleas are very nice to look at. I think they are a little softer delivering heat into the shop too, we have a T5 on the floor to burn, the 27 steel isn't hooked up. That might help sales. A stove burning helps people decide easier, if you can see them burning, it would be a plus. I think you'll be happy with either. Don't know about warrantee issues, last 2 years haven't had any... Haven't sold them long enough to tell.

Stovelark
Enviro EF3 FS pellet
Enviro Empress FPI AC pellet
Enviro Kodiak 1700 FS wood

 

[Grinnell]

I looked at a range of PE stoves and decided on the T5. Great stove heats a 1600sq ft log cabin, get the blower

 

[madison]

Hmm, I haven't looked into those options. Thanks.

I'd like to broach one other topic. A while back, there was some negative discussion about PE's warranty policy ....

Regarding the warranty. IMHO it will be the dealer who will honor/inforce the PE warranty -- make sure the dealer is reputable and been around a while. Expect nothing from the company regarding warranty service. Also, if possible, I would personally inspect the stove at the dealer prior to delivery/installation.

2nd the above comments: get the one she wants, and get the blower.

Regarding the trivets, if you must, you will cook on the stove top, not the trivets. the trivets are great for keeping food warm -- we basically park the holiday meals on the trivets until serving time. Warning, pots, pans, spills etc will affect the stove top steel surface.

 

[begreen]

One thing nice about the trivet top I forgot to mention is that it's just right for a steamer. We have a 4 quart pot we keep on top of the trivet. I fill to about the 3 quart level once a day. It never boils over, but steadily releases moisture into the air.

 

[Sprinter]

Regarding the warranty. IMHO it will be the dealer who will honor/inforce the PE warranty -- make sure the dealer is reputable and been around a while. Expect nothing from the company regarding warranty service.

As I recall, the person that had the most dramatic problem in the earlier thread had bought his stove through a distributor rather than a dealer. Shouldn't have been anything wrong with that, but it was a messy issue and ended up a real snafu because there was no dealer involved. It took the better part of a year to solve the problem if I'm not mistaken. It sounded like PE could have done a much better job on that one issue, but I'm not losing sleep over it. One thing I like about these models is the large installed base and the positive reviews seem to far exceed any negative ones.

Also, if possible, I would personally inspect the stove at the dealer prior to delivery/installation.

Good idea. I'll see about running up there when it comes in.

 

[DuckDog]

I went with the S27 and cannot say a single bad thing about it. More heat on much less wood over the old "air tight". Went with a pedistal version with a nickle door. We do not plan to be in this house for more than 5-7 years so the stove will left behind. Next house will be our last house. Alderlea for the next house based on looks.