VC Defiant Encore 0028 - should I sell it??

[AustinBankert]

Hello all!

I've been reading a few threads on here for some time about this stove and I think I am ready to get rid of it. Here's the quick story:

- Moved into the house back in March so I don't have a lot of experience using it yet
- No issues getting it to fire and operate correctly, just follow the directions...
- Just replaced the CAT and refractory chamber
- The heat exchanger was warped pretty good and I straightened it best I could
- The lower fireback looks to be warped... it is concave looking at from the front of stove, took a lot to tighten the bolts to get it to sit flush
- 2 bolts are stripped out that hold the back on
- one very very small, hairline crack in the right side fire back, 1/2' long at most

Besides all of that it looks to be in "good" shape

Bottom line is after having this thing apart I don't want to do it again . With 3 small kids in the house I also don't like the fact of what it takes to get it started and having to come back to it to close the damper (I get distracted easy lol)

I am thinking of selling it and getting a simpler, non-cat stove. I would like to get 50% of our heat from it (we do have a heat pump as well)

Am I a fool for selling it and moving on??
...it sure is pretty

 

[begreen]

Nope, you're not a fool. It is a beautiful stove, but there are simpler, better alternatives.

If you want a simpler non-cat that still looks good, there are several options. Take a look at the Enviro Boston 1700, Quadrafire Explorer III, Pacific Energy T6, Jotul F600 and F55 for starters.

If you like a thermostatic operation stove then look at the Blaze King Ashford 30.1. It's a cat stove, but it has a much simpler and easier to service construction.

 

[AustinBankert]

Thanks @ begreen! Been looking at the Jotul but wasn't sure what else was quality out there. I do some digging on the others!