Progress hybrid owners, Do you like your stove?

[fespo]

I found a very nice used Progress hybrid stove, about a hour away. I would like to hear what owners have to say about this stove? Any problems that I should look for? They are asking 2000 but the owner told me he is willing to go down some to move the stove out. They have it on a pallet and can load with forks, even have the receipt for what they paid for it. I just don't want to jump the gun without doing my homework. Thank everyone.
Fespo

 

[trguitar]

No, I don't like mine...I love it!!

I had the insert version of the Liberty (Freedom), and the Progress Hybrid is such a better stove, there's really no comparison. It's like comparing a Ford Escort to a BMW 5-series. And what's amazing is that the Freedom is more expensive than the PH I'm heating 2400 sf, and unless it is below 20, I'm on a 12 hour burn cycle. The Freedom could never do that. And it was a wood eater. I'm not trying to diss the Freedom. It was a good stove, and it met our needs. But, getting the PH was a major upgrade. It really is a night and day difference.

When was the stove built? Does it have an ash pan? There were issues with early models with smoke smells and the cat, which have been rectified. Depending on when the stove was built, you should verify that all the fixes have been applied.

 

[3fordasho]

I purchased one of the initial Progress Hybrids that they offered at introductory pricing. I had some of the smoke smell issues the early stoves had, but now looking back it could have been partially due to draft issues. Woodstock's support is unmatched, they ended up replacing the stove with an updated version and also would update things like the cooktop and top stone set up.

The PH went in place of a Fireview which is also a great stove. The PH is a better heater, has a great ash pan available, better view of the fire and is a overall great looking stove. I also prefer the smoke path through the PH over the set up on the Fireview. With the bypass open on the Fireview the flames will shoot right up the chimney and you can overheat the chimney quickly. Not an issue on the PH because of the convoluted smoke path-bypass open or closed. The PH puts out more heat at 400F stove top than the Fireview did at 600F so I don't have the need to push it as hard.

I do like the air inlet better on the Fireview, more linear control. Also the PH being a hybrid stove seems to mean you can't do a low cat only burn. - At some point those secondary's kick in big time no matter how closed off the air inlet is.

Things to look out for? make sure the stove has all the updates. Get the ash pan if it does not already have it. Don't install on a chimney that has weak draft.

 

[fire_man]

3fordasho ripped all the words right out of my mouth - I could not agree more with his comments.

I had a FV and much prefer the PH. The ashpan keeps the room dust down a lot and makes life so much easier. The PH is practically impossible to overfire compared w/ the FV. I have to reload much less frequently which is why I replaced the FV. My PH is one of the originals with some updates and I love this stove. The draft lever is a little too coarse at controlling the air.

Not much I would change with this stove other than the air control.

 

[weatherguy]

Unless they dropped the stove off the roof I'd grab it, I love mine, upgraded from an insert and this baby throws some major heat when needed. If it doesn't have the ash pan I'd consider getting one before you set it up, I have the short leg kit or I would have one. Doesn't hurt to try and knock a couple of hundred off the price. What's the reason they're selling? They moving or getting out of wood?

 

[Woody Stover]

what's amazing is that the Freedom is more expensive than the PH

I would never have guessed that...the PH ain't exactly cheap. Inserts are usually more expensive, though.

 

[Highbeam]

Lopis are very expensive for a plate steel non-cat. I too had a Lopi liberty bay insert before tearing down the masonry.

 

[toddnic]

Why are the people selling the PH? That would be my first question.... We ABSOLUTELY LOVE our PH, the even heat distribution, the look, the fewer trips to the wood pile, and the list could go on and on. For $2,000 or less, that is a great deal. I think I paid just over $3,000 for ours.

Like others have said, I would definitely get the ash pan if it is not already on the PH. Good draft is necessary and dry wood. Other than that, the stove is amazing!

 

[fespo]

Thanks everyone, I was going to call Woodstock today but I was just to busy . They gave me the owner name, I was going to ask if this stove was updated at all.

Weatherguy, the owners son-in-law is selling for his mother in law. They SAY, she is 80 and tried of burning wood now.

They only info I have so far is it's a Progress Hybrid model 209

 

[Woody Stover]

the owners son-in-law is selling for his mother in law. They SAY, she is 80 and tried of burning wood now.

Did she only burn it after she got home from church on Sunday? Seriously, I would definitely take a look at it and see if it's in good shape. If you can talk to whoever was running it and ask their procedure, you should be able to get an idea if they knew what they were doing and avoided an overfire.

 

[Mitchhorne8]

Not gonna repeat everyone. But yeah, love mine. I could copy and paste any or all the above comments.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

 

[georgepds]

Not gonna repeat everyone. But yeah, love mine. I could copy and paste any or all the above comments.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

First thought I had... it's like asking a young newly wed if they like hootchie kootchie

Yes, I like my PH

 

[fespo]

I called Woodstock today, Its a newer stove a 2013. Everything is ok from Woodstock point of view as for change or updates. Im going Sunday to look at the stove

 

[webby3650]

No, I don't like mine...I love it!!

I had the insert version of the Liberty (Freedom), and the Progress Hybrid is such a better stove, there's really no comparison. It's like comparing a Ford Escort to a BMW 5-series. And what's amazing is that the Freedom is more expensive than the PH I'm heating 2400 sf, and unless it is below 20, I'm on a 12 hour burn cycle. The Freedom could never do that. And it was a wood eater. I'm not trying to diss the Freedom. It was a good stove, and it met our needs. But, getting the PH was a major upgrade. It really is a night and day difference.

When was the stove built? Does it have an ash pan? There were issues with early models with smoke smells and the cat, which have been rectified. Depending on when the stove was built, you should verify that all the fixes have been applied.

I'm pretty sure it's an accepted fact that a stove will out heat an insert anyday of the week. Your experience doesn't surprised me at all. The PH is less than $2,300 these days?

 

[begreen]

I'm pretty sure it's an accepted fact that a stove will out heat an insert anyday of the week. Your experience doesn't surprised me at all. The PH is less than $2,300 these days?

The PH is selling at around $3 grand these days. The IS is in the $2,000+ range.

 

[webby3650]

The PH is selling at around $3 grand these days. The IS is in the $2,000+ range.

That's certainly not cheaper than a Freedom in this area anyway.
My freedom was a monster heater, for a short amount of time unfortunately. Well built anyway.

 

[Rearscreen]

I hate my PH. Can you send me the link where I can buy that one for only $2,000?

 

[trguitar]

That's certainly not cheaper than a Freedom in this area anyway.
My freedom was a monster heater, for a short amount of time unfortunately. Well built anyway.

In Mass a new Freedom goes for around $3200.

I was talking specifically about burn time. On cold days (< 20) I could only get 6 hours of useful heat out of the Freedom. That's just not acceptable, especially overnight. It was a wood eater. But, it was a monster heater; I will definitely agree with you on that. The literature for the Freedom claimed you could "heat your house for 12 hours on one load of wood." Maybe if it was 50 degrees out!

Like I said in my previous post, I'm not dissing the Freedom. It was a good heater, and it met our needs (except for burn time). But, I also stand by my statement that comparing the Freedom/Liberty to the PH is like comparing a Ford Escort to a BMW 5-series. There is a HUGE difference. I know other PH owners who have experience with other stoves will agree with this.

 

[Woody Stover]

a new Freedom goes for around $3200.

Havard, "your fair city," sounds a bit unfair.

 

[toddnic]

I hate my PH. Can you send me the link where I can buy that one for only $2,000?

yep, that makes 2 of us.... Send the link please

 

[fespo]

If I don't buy it tomorrow, I will share the link

 

[Woody Stover]

If I don't buy it tomorrow, I will share the link

More likely, you'll get a link to a Liberty for sale.

 

[fespo]

Well, I went and checked out the stove. It has a rear heat shield, brand new never used along with the instructions, still sealed in the plastic bag .Ash pan and tall legs, very minor surface rust on the top from sitting in the pole barn. I took a look at the catalytic combustor, the little squares are not so square, maybe needs to be replaced.I only thing I did notice and tried tolook up the part on the web site is. In side the stove, on the top plate next to the glass. There is some kind off screen or something that is attached to the top, it looked loose. I don't know what that is. I took some pictures of the stove and now the wife and I need to talk about it. He did come down some in price. I will post pictures later tonight.

 

[toddnic]

Well, I went and checked out the stove. It has a rear heat shield, brand new never used along with the instructions, still sealed in the plastic bag .Ash pan and tall legs, very minor surface rust on the top from sitting in the pole barn. I took a look at the catalytic combustor, the little squares are not so square, maybe needs to be replaced.I only thing I did notice and tried tolook up the part on the web site is. In side the stove, on the top plate next to the glass. There is some kind off screen or something that is attached to the top, it looked loose. I don't know what that is. I took some pictures of the stove and now the wife and I need to talk about it. He did come down some in price. I will post pictures later tonight.

Great to hear that you went and saw the stove. The catalytic combustor is probably not a problem. I can't imagine that sitting in a pole barn would affect it. Also, the screen that you refer to was recommended to be removed by Woodstock. It was a shield to help prevent dust and ash from being sucked into the catalytic combustor. It did not do much good and would prevent airflow if it got clogged. I removed mine this past year and it has not been a problem whatsoever. It sounds like you have all of the accessories including the ash pan and the rear heat shield. Having the rear heat shield means that you can get to within 7 inches of a wall. It sounds like the stove is in good condition and that you have the additional accessories.

If the owner is sub $2,000.....purchase the stove. That is a great price!

 

[fespo]

Well who wants the link for the stove? You can get it for $1800. Im out.