Thinking about a woodstock?

[avanderheuel]

What are people thoughts on this stove and its price?

(broken link removed to http://nmi.craigslist.org/for/4656438656.html)

Is 7 inch pipe more $ or hard to find?

I will be using it to heat a 950 SQft block house...

 

[DougA]

I'm buying a Woodstock soapstone and the only downside compared to steel is that it takes longer to warm up a room initially, but the heat will last longer after the fire dies. If you are using the stove as I am as your main heat source, the stove is on almost all the time and the 'delay' is irrelevant. If you are burning only the odd time, it may matter. Check the cat and count on the added cost of replacing it.

I found larger pipe is hard to find at dealers but not a problem on-line.

 

[avanderheuel]

Can I reduce it down to 6 inch some how?

 

[DougA]

Not supposed to. The difference in cost is not a big deal, just finding it on the shelf at a store is difficult. All dealers will order it for you, just not stock it.

 

[ridemgis]

Check the woodstock website for the keystone manual. I think you can run 6 inch on that model but it will increase the clearance to combustible distance from the back of the stove.

 

[SteveKG]

I bought a Keystone last fall. I talked with Woodstock about the stove when my wife and I visited their facility later on, we happened to be in New England. I asked about the 7" thing, and they told me that it works great with six-inch pipe. The seven-inch thing had to do with product development or something, I don't really recall what. They sell a 7 to 6" reducer and I bought one from them. Our stove works perfectly with the six-inch pipe.

By the way, if you didn't know, you can run the pipe either from the stovetop, if you want straight up, or from the rear, as the stove advertised there is set up. Four screws and you switch a couple pieces and it might take you as long as five minutes.

Call Woodstock if you want this verified by the source....

 

[avanderheuel]

How long does it take for the stove to hear up when totally cold?

 

[DougA]

Woodmiser posted this a few years ago on the Equinox from 'stone cold' to hot. I saw it while searching for Equinox info and the answer is probably very similar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCx5WKk-0Ss

 

[jeff_t]

That stove has some pretty hefty rear clearance requirements. That is somewhat offset by not so hefty front clearance because of the side loading door.

Considering the block house, that point may be moo.

Look carefully at the cat and haggle. I'm not sure what other parts are in there that could be damaged, but I'm sure there are some.

 

[Woody Stover]

The stove is an easy breather; Works fine here on 16' with a 7 to 6" reducer. Look inside at the cast iron combustor scoop for signs of overfiring (doesn't look like it has the newer stainless scoop.) You may be able to see something looking in through the back with a flashlight, such as the bypass frame, etc.The date of manufacture should be on the metal tag. The stove should be in really good shape for that money. It doesn't look immaculate in the pics... You may be able to determine by asking how they started the stove and how long it takes to cruise it, if the stove was run in a prudent manner or started with the ash door open, etc. Check the ash grate and bottom of the frame. OTOH, Woodstock parts are some of the most reasonably priced of any brand, so it won't break the bank if you have to replace a couple things. The combustor is only $125.

How long does it take for the stove to hear up when totally cold?

Probably not as long as the Equinox, since it's not as big. 30-40 min. until you have it lit off and cruising, an hour until it's tossing big heat. But if you can load it within 12 hrs. or so, it will still be warm so it won't take quite as long to be generating good heat. It can be done faster, but I don't like to stress the stove or pipe unnecessarily...

 

[avanderheuel]

It's 12 years old! Thoughts?

 

[Woody Stover]

Nothing wrong with that, if it's been treated right. Might be able to use the age as a bargaining chip...

 

[jeff_t]

I think it is overpriced. I've seen several around here the last few years in the $800 range, and we're not that far apart.

I'd go look at it for you if it was a couple weeks from now. Looks like it's in the Cheboygan area from the map.

 

[Woody Stover]

I think it is overpriced. I've seen several around here the last few years in the $800 range

Yeah, 1/3 of retail I would consider a good deal...