What is comparable to a VC Encore Defiant?

[Jonny006]

My plans for a wood boiler have been put on the back burner for a while. I need to get a wood stove for my existing fireplace for next winter. These oil bills are downright obscene!
That said, up until last year I had a VC Encore that was an older unit which heated our old house perfectly. Unfortunately it went with the old house and I have yet to forgive myself for doing so. Wifey is also not thrilled. Anyway, I always liked the way that stove worked. Yes, it did require some new parts over the years, two catalysts and a new rear firebox as well as some gaskets, but small price to pay for gobs of heat.
I know that the company is in it's like, fourth ownership or whatever, and I'm not too keen on how talked down they are. But I really love the look of this stove and how easy it is to load and clean. Do you guys have any suggestions on a comparable stove? I'm heating a center hall colonial that's about 1800sq ft. The downside is that the fireplace is on the north side of the house and is in a room which is 24x14 with only one doorway leading in and out. I know the room will be hot but if I can move the air around I can make it work.
I have no interest in doing an insert although I like the look. What I don't like is having to get on my knees to load and clean one since the hearth is at floor level. I also would like to avoid a blower since the stove will be in the living room where the tv will be. Some of those fans make enough noise that you wind up blaring the tv. Volume which in turn wakes up the children which causes domestic distress in the household.
Honestly I'm not adverse to picking up another VC either new or used. I'm not sure how this forum community feels about that decision though. Another consideration is flue size. I have a guy who is willing to sell me 40' of stainless liner slightly used for like $200 but it's 8". Seems like most stoves now want a 6". I am trying to make this happen without coughing up too much dough.
So, thoughts? Suggestions?
Much appreciated.

 

[Charles1981]

There hasn't been too many gripes about the new VC 2in1 system but its still pretty new. Mine runs like a champ from the basement at that and heating just over 1800 sq feet. I kind of wish I had gotten a defiant instead of the encore, but it would have been extra bucks for an 8inch liner and the step-up to the defiant. But the Encore does heat my house well unless it is below 0 degrees.

Everyone says the refractory on the 2n1 is a new material that is "supposed" to be more durable and stronger. I won't believe it until I don't have to replace the refractory in the next 7-10 years...or sooner yikes.

Last year everything was GREAT. This year it was great until the heat dropped off a bit and I didn't see the catalyst igniting in its usual fashion. Well the cat has a big hole in it. looks like it cracked due to some thermal shock because there is a huge chunk that isn't degrade at bottom of the burn chamber. I am sure it is my fault somehow but still upset I have to try and get the catalyst replaced under warranty.

I wasn't reading these forums, I just bought a VC because as far as I knew at the time my parents had one, but grand parents had one, I had friends growing up that had one and they were the end all be all of wood stoves in my world growing up.

Well turns out it isn't that way anymore. Still love the stove but I may have been swayed otherwise had I been reading here first.

And while I have just over 1800 sq feet I do wish I got the 8' liner and gone with a monster stove after 2 years. So now I am looking at putting in a small stove upstairs....but I am going to see how next winter is first. The stove does great when it isn't below zero and last year there was only a handfull of those days and the house stayed toasty. This year it has really shown me that the stove only works so well down to such a temperature. Even at -15 degrees though the stove heating from the basement is wayyy better than trying to keep the house warm with baseboard electric heat.

 

[begreen]

Jotul F600 and the Quadrafire Isle Royale would be worth a look.

 

[Jonny006]

Jotul F600 and the Quadrafire Isle Royale would be worth a look.

That quadrafire is beautiful. And big. But not inexpensive!
I like the jotul as well but I don't know about that side loading bit. I'm really used to top loading and think its a lot easier. Also can't find a price on it.
So, I'm assuming that VC is not recommended? Some quality issues and not sufficient heat output?
I would be content with a used stove. My old one cost me $500 used and add probably another $600 over the four years I used it. Hard to find a used quad or jotul I think.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Hardly anyone here will recommend a VC, that doesn't mean you shouldn't check out what they are doing these days, I have a 2013 insert that works well and I have received great customer support.....just saying....

 

[begreen]

That quadrafire is beautiful. And big. But not inexpensive!
I like the jotul as well but I don't know about that side loading bit. I'm really used to top loading and think its a lot easier. Also can't find a price on it.
So, I'm assuming that VC is not recommended? Some quality issues and not sufficient heat output?
I would be content with a used stove. My old one cost me $500 used and add probably another $600 over the four years I used it. Hard to find a used quad or jotul I think.
Thanks for the replies.

The new VCs may be good, I just don't know how they will stand up and thus am hesitant to recommend. I certainly hope they have turned a corner and have a stove that doesn't need frequent, expensive rebuilds, but it takes time to find that out.

FWIW, I loved our Resolute top loader, and at first looked for that. But now that I have a bigass front loader I don't miss top loading at all. This is actually easier and safer. I still have arm hair with the T6.