I would not choose the Encore. The Encore cat is a decent stove when used lightly to medium, but those that are used full-time often need extensive parts replacement or remodeling after 5-8 years. Of course, it is normal for used equipment to need work, but in this case even a relatively minor refurb (cat, ceramics, gaskets, labor) could easily run $5-600 or more.
WEB you are so full of Chit here.
if I had to be on a desert island and had the choice of a used Cat Encore or a new non-cat (or cat, for that matter) stove......I would not choose the Encore.
Why would one need a wood stove on a desert island nothing to burn and baking in a desert, So Full of chit here. Ok how many Hearth Com members have had problems with their Encores on a Desert island? Do you have trouble cutting the wood splitting and stacking it? in a desert how long does it take to dry Which chainsaw is best in the sand? We do know you only run it recreational because no need using it day time
I'm heating 24/7 is that recreational? Can you advise me how I could burn more and not be recreational I'd real interested in that response
Well my 1999 Encore must be falling apart by now according to Web. I use it bit more than recreation. I have not replaced the cat yet, nor one interior part, but have done some gasket cost me all of about $20 bucks at Ace hardware store. Back 15 years ago what weB is telling was true when he type on his Apple IIe. We have been down this road before and the ownership web is speaking of at VC are no longer in the game. If there was an issue with that used stove ,either it would have been discovered by now or IT is well past the 5 year break down, And must have one of the 49,500 good one manufactured that year. Actually take web advice buy used it is easy to see if it is damaged and by now probably replaced with the modified parts superior to the originals and you should not have a problem My other VC Intrepid 20 year old intrepid is on its second Cat and has not needed one interior replacement part. Stove combustor Cats are $140
What web is also not telling you is in all probability the need for replacement is usually from abuse over firing. Which will equate to expensive repair in any stove Like Jotuls.
I'm not advising you not to buy Englander stoves but correcting a zealous Web dissing the crap out of a manufacturer time and time again , For things that happened in the last decade under different ownership Yeah an Jap cars use to rust out, so don't buy any of them or you will have costly autobody repairs
Web, if these stoves are so bad, then please explain why there are more VC stoves sitting in peoples home than any other manufacturer? Web when is the last time you burned a modern VC stove? was it in this decade? Tell us your recent personal experience you draw upon? At least when I talk about a product I have it here and opperate 24/7 far beyond recreational use
I draw my info from direct hands on operations ,Not some decade old BS.
Sir do you really want to know about that stove what to look for to determine its condition? From a person that has recently rebuilt those stoves? My post is trying to help the person and disclaim BS ,that is of no help. I can tell you what to look for where to place straight edges Where to shine a flash light to expose casting joint and if you post pictures make a very good educated guess upon that stove's condition I offering constructive help and advice. What one would have expected from the Webmaster but did not. He would rather diss the crap out of a product than offer help or be constructive
