I've got a Consolidated Dutchwest FA267 (cat) in my camp that was purchased in 1983. The exterior of the stove is in good shape - joints seem to be tight. Interior is in rough shape and needs replacement. The top-plate and rear plate (interior) are in very rough condition and before I get into tearing it apart I'm wondering if it's worth rebuilding or just buying new. I use it to heat my seasonal camp and it does ok for this use so I'd rather not spend a lot on a new stove if I don't have to, but am unaware of how much replacement parts (if available) could run. This stove has never had a great draft, even with a long straight ss insulated chimney run, but has heated the camp alright. Thanks
rebuild 83 consolodated dutchwest or new?
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I would look for a new stove from Englander, Drolet or Century that will heat the cabin on a budget.
How large is the cabin?
Matt
How large is the cabin?
Matt
it's around 1200 sq'. Open floor plan, two floors. Half insulated but used primarily between April and October on weekends and an occasional week here and there so heating has been no problem with the Dutchwest. The dutchwest as is heats the camp well but as I said in my first post it needs some replacement parts.
Don't even know if you can get replacement parts or not. Have to contact the manufacturer and find out. No matter what you do, "do not use anything that is not made by the manufacturer or approved by the manufacturer". Better to be safe than sorry later
I would not undertake such a rebuilding in general....it would be another thing if most of it was good and only a small part or two were needed.
Here are two links for lots of parts:
(broken link removed to http://www.blackswanhome.com/category/consolidated-dutchwest)
(broken link removed)
Here are two links for lots of parts:
(broken link removed to http://www.blackswanhome.com/category/consolidated-dutchwest)
(broken link removed)
Webmaster said:
Because of the cost of parts weighed against the worth/age of the stove, or a safety issue?
Thanks for the links.
The parts I need are the baffle and back grate. Seems like fairly straightforward replacement, and since the stove is still airtight and in good shape wouldn't it be worthwhile? If it was a primary heater for a year-round home I'd certainly want to upgrade, but for a camp is the stove still not worth the work? I have to admit that this stove is not in the class of the jotuls I've used and it's draft, even with an ideal SS insulated straight run setup has been sub-par, but I've tolerated it because of it's seasonal and occasional use.
There are some really nice little simple EPA approved steel plate stoves available at very reasonable prices that would git 'er done for you in a seasonal cabin like that. They're gonna have 6" flue collars...dunno what your DW has. The draft problems we could address if you more fully described the installation...stovepipe configuration & chimney, total height, stuff like that. Does it (the cabin) have power to it? If so, a ceiling fan would be a nice touch. If no power, then no biggie. If it were me, I'd prob'ly just ditch the old stove and put a really simple steel one in its place. Rick
fossil said:
6" on the DW. The stove vents straight up - no turns. Total height is 26' with single wall from stove top to thru floor kit, and selkirk metalbestos insulated ss the rest of the way. The chimney ends well higher than the roofline. Clears the peak by at least 3'. We do use a ceiling fan and the stove heats the place easily in the teens and above.
26' straight up should give you plenty of draft. Have you had it cleaned lately? How long has your wood been seasoned?
Matt
Matt
EatenByLimestone said:
I sweep the chimney regularly keeping it particularly clean because of the poor draft. Always burning hardwood that's been cut and stacked for at least two years. Very dry. We've got some terrain issues that may be a contributing factor to poor draft - the place sits at the bottom of a steep hill whose top is equal in height to the camp's peak - the top of the hill and the peak of the house can't be more than 75' apart. Lake directly in front of the house so there's something probably going on with air currents. Though I can't say that the stove has design issues either.
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