The VC is gone. Now what?

[RoundHouse]

It's been a while! If you read my previous posts, I have the weird house with the circular middle and "wings" of rooms coming off each side. The Defiant was hauled away and now it's time to make a decision. Still plenty of winter left here in Upstate NY. Of course, now there is the EPA 2020 thing. I have narrowed down my choices to these two stoves, but tell me if there is something else I should consider or what you think of these stoves/companies:
1. Regency 3100
2. PE Summit Classic LE

 

[bholler]

It's been a while! If you read my previous posts, I have the weird house with the circular middle and "wings" of rooms coming off each side. The Defiant was hauled away and now it's time to make a decision. Still plenty of winter left here in Upstate NY. Of course, now there is the EPA 2020 thing. I have narrowed down my choices to these two stoves, but tell me if there is something else I should consider or what you think of these stoves/companies:
1. Regency 3100
2. PE Summit Classic LE

Well if you can find a 3100 they are good stoves but they have been out of production since about October. The pe is a good stove as well I wouldn't hesitate to get either stove

 

[silver78]

FWIW - As someone who ran a Defiant for almost 20 years. I just replaced it last month with a Drolet HT 3000. While I miss the top load feature oon the defiant I am very happy with my new stove. It cranks and is 2020 compliant to boot.

 

[RoundHouse]

Well if you can find a 3100 they are good stoves but they have been out of production since about October. The pe is a good stove as well I wouldn't hesitate to get either stove

Good to know; thanks! My dealer says he can get a 3100. He keeps talking about how Regency is the only company that truly has a lifetime warranty. That's good, if true, but PE appears to have a lot more things that come standard, which Regency charges extra for.

I've been meaning to ask what folks here think of legs vs. pedestal. I figure it's just a matter of personal preference, but is there any positive or negative to either, practically speaking?

 

[RoundHouse]

FWIW - As someone who ran a Defiant for almost 20 years. I just replaced it last month with a Drolet HT 3000. While I miss the top load feature oon the defiant I am very happy with my new stove. It cranks and is 2020 compliant to boot.

 

[bholler]

Good to know; thanks! My dealer says he can get a 3100. He keeps talking about how Regency is the only company that truly has a lifetime warranty. That's good, if true, but PE appears to have a lot more things that come standard, which Regency charges extra for.

I've been meaning to ask what folks here think of legs vs. pedestal. I figure it's just a matter of personal preference, but is there any positive or negative to either, practically speaking?

He can't get one from regency. I picked up the last one regency had in stock for a customer about a month ago.

 

[RoundHouse]

Thank you. It looks almost identical to the Regency 3100. Does it have an airwash system for the glass?

 

[RoundHouse]

He can't get one from regency. I picked up the last one regency had in stock for a customer about a month ago.

Well then! I guess that settles it. My dealer has some 2400s in stock, but I think I need something bigger. I was leaning toward the PE anyway. What do you think about Drolet HT- 3000? I do want something that is going to look good in that space. Not sure a big black monster on a pedestal is the right thing.

 

[Mech e]

What looks good to someone is definitely a personal preference. I am influenced by price when it comes to aesthetics.

 

[MoDoug]

I've been meaning to ask what folks here think of legs vs. pedestal. I figure it's just a matter of personal preference, but is there any positive or negative to either, practically speaking?

I went with legs because my hearth is built with natural stone of uneven thickness, and each of the legs have adjustable feet on them.

 

[silver78]

The Drolet 3000 is in my basement and for us it looks just fine. But the PE Summit is a beautiful stove. If my budget was unlimited I might have chosen it over the Drolet. I was able to buy the Drolet for $1,300 shipped and I got it installed for $500 with old stove moved upstairs. My guess is that a Summit will cost a good bit more.

 

[mark cline]

I never liked a pedestal,I bought a used Quadra Fire Isle Royale for loghome man cave, it’s truly a beautiful stove , classic old world styling . You can not get that look with a pedestal.

You tell me which looks better.

 

[Mech e]

I don't know. Setting that pretty stove on 2x4s is like wearing an Armani suit with work boots.

 

[rScotty]

It's been a while! If you read my previous posts, I have the weird house with the circular middle and "wings" of rooms coming off each side. The Defiant was hauled away and now it's time to make a decision. Still plenty of winter left here in Upstate NY. Of course, now there is the EPA 2020 thing. I have narrowed down my choices to these two stoves, but tell me if there is something else I should consider or what you think of these stoves/companies:
1. Regency 3100
2. PE Summit Classic LE

Just reading through the literature, the PE seems to have put a lot of thought into durability. That scores big points with me.
Perhaps the Regency has as well, but if so they don't make a point of it in their literature.

Lets see....I confess to being way out of date on modern wood stove offerings. The last wood stoves I've had here since the 1970s were an old American pot belly, then a wood cook stove of the Great Majestic brand, followed by a VC Vigilant, a Jotul "Easter Island", a Vermont Castings Resolute, and now a Lopi Leyden.

They all had their own quirks and features. The Lopi has been no exception in that regard.
None have been what I'd call simple "plug & play" - except maybe the Jotul Kon Tiki - and it was the one we were most glad to see go away.

But here's is my question for you.... Did the Defiant work well for you? What did you like and what not?
And why not simply replace your old Defiant with a new one?
rScotty

 

[shoot-straight]

I might Have missed if you said you wanted a steel vs cast- but jotul makes some very nice looking big- but cast stones. Never heard much bad about them either.

 

[mark cline]

Those are firebricks which are only temporary until I got a longer 6” pipe.

 

[begreen]

Well then! I guess that settles it. My dealer has some 2400s in stock, but I think I need something bigger. I was leaning toward the PE anyway. What do you think about Drolet HT- 3000? I do want something that is going to look good in that space. Not sure a big black monster on a pedestal is the right thing.

The PE Summit has a lifetime warranty for all non-wearing components, plus 5yr parts and labor. It's a good heater. I like their firebox design. So is the Drolet HT3000 and that is bound to be less expensive, plus it has a little bit larger firebox.

Less expensive yet would be the Drolet Baltic/Myriad/Austral. These are the same stove, but with different trim and bases. I would consider the Drolet Myriad II because it is the most radiant, similar to the Defiant, due to the lack of side shielding. Note that it will have larger clearances, but it sounds like there is room.

 

[silver78]

As someone who got rid of my Defiant here is why I did not replace it with another Defiant. I considered it. I mean the Defiant did work for me for many years and the piping was there for a drop in replacement. But:
1) It's an expensive stove to replace. The lowest quote I got from a local dealer was $4k.
2) Reading about the Defiant on this forum I discovered that it's a complex stove.
3) A couple of years after I installed the Defiant I installed a Jotul fireplace insert. Non catalytic model. I really liked it.
4) This was a stove for my basement. The price/value for the Drolet worked for me.

 

[rScotty]

Totally off subject, but I remember the Defiant from maybe 40 years ago & wonder how the Defiant has changed through the years.
Are the castings the same? Made by the same foundary?
Were they were different then. For one thing, cats were still in the future.
Is there a Hearth.com historian or archives?

 

[bholler]

Just reading through the literature, the PE seems to have put a lot of thought into durability. That scores big points with me.
Perhaps the Regency has as well, but if so they don't make a point of it in their literature.

Lets see....I confess to being way out of date on modern wood stove offerings. The last wood stoves I've had here since the 1970s were an old American pot belly, then a wood cook stove of the Great Majestic brand, followed by a VC Vigilant, a Jotul "Easter Island", a Vermont Castings Resolute, and now a Lopi Leyden.

They all had their own quirks and features. The Lopi has been no exception in that regard.
None have been what I'd call simple "plug & play" - except maybe the Jotul Kon Tiki - and it was the one we were most glad to see go away.

But here's is my question for you.... Did the Defiant work well for you? What did you like and what not?
And why not simply replace your old Defiant with a new one?
rScotty

He never even installed the defiant.

 

[bholler]

Totally off subject, but I remember the Defiant from maybe 40 years ago & wonder how the Defiant has changed through the years.
Are the castings the same? Made by the same foundary?
Were they were different then. For one thing, cats were still in the future.
Is there a Hearth.com historian or archives?

The casting quality is still as good if not better than any other. But their engineering fell way behind the rest of the market for many years. They were not easy to use and took lots of expensive maintenance. They have improved some in the past few years but honestly I think they still have a long way to go

 

[RoundHouse]

He can't get one from regency. I picked up the last one regency had in stock for a customer about a month ago.

His dealer in Maryland has a few left. But, I have decided to go with the PE.

 

[bholler]

His dealer in Maryland has a few left. But, I have decided to go with the PE.

The warehouse in Maryland is where I picked up that stove from. They actually had one stove body left but no door for it. The pe is a very good stove. My father just got one I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[RoundHouse]

The Drolet 3000 is in my basement and for us it looks just fine. But the PE Summit is a beautiful stove. If my budget was unlimited I might have chosen it over the Drolet. I was able to buy the Drolet for $1,300 shipped and I got it installed for $500 with old stove moved upstairs. My guess is that a Summit will cost a good bit more.

My dealer didn't show or mention Drolets. I am not opposed, but they do look more industrial than I want. The PE is pricey. Manufacturers don't post prices on their websites, do they? I haven't been able to find anything, but it looks like the base price is around $2200 without the door, legs, chimney liner, or install. I think I'm looking at $6200 when all's said and done.

 

[RoundHouse]

The warehouse in Maryland is where I picked up that stove from. They actually had one stove body left but no door for it. The pe is a very good stove. My father just got one I don't think you will be disappointed.

Oh man, that is funny! I do feel good about my choice, thanks to all of you!