Which of these local dealer offerings?

[Sprinter]

My next step is to visit the two dealers in my area to eyeball some stoves. Can you comment on the brand names in general and the models I would most likely choose? I'm still considering non-local options, but this is what my dealers have and I'd like to have an idea of what you all think of each.

Quadrafire - probably Millenium 3100 or other 2 cf size.

Lennox Grandview 230 or so.

Ennerzone Solution 1.8

Harmon Oakleaf (1.7 cf) or TL 20 (2 cf) or TLC2000

Avalon Ranier (1.8 cf)

and how might these compare with the other favorites on Hearth?

 

[Pallet Pete]

My next step is to visit the two dealers in my area to eyeball some stoves. Can you comment on the brand names in general and the models I would most likely choose? I'm still considering non-local options, but this is what my dealers have and I'd like to have an idea of what you all think of each.

Quadrafire - probably Millenium 3100 or other 2 cf size.

Lennox Grandview 230 or so.

Ennerzone Solution 1.8

Harmon Oakleaf (1.7 cf) or TL 20 (2 cf) or TLC2000

Avalon Ranier (1.8 cf)

and how might these compare with the other favorites on Hearth?

I have some experience with Harman and they are not so good on the customer service end of things however there stoves are not to bad. The Oakleaf is a downdraft stove and depending on your setup they can be either the best experience of your life or more likely a royal pain in the tush as we discovered. I do not know much on the Quadrafire line other than they are the same parent company as Harman. Avalon Makes some very nice stoves as well they are built well and perform well.

What is your square footage ? are you insulated ? 1 or 2 stories basement ? What kind of burn times are you after ? These questions will help other members help you out.

Pete

 

[Pallet Pete]

The next thing is do you have a good dry wood supply ? Acctually that should be the first thing . If it is less than a year you will most likely have some burn issues no matter what stove IE low burn times low heat lots of creosote buildup. If you buy it and they say it is dry for a year that does not mean cut split stacked chances are it won't even be close to ready for a good clean burn.

Pete

 

[Sprinter]

My situation is Pacific Northwest, mild climate (30's winters, unending shoulder seasons), 1750 sf single story, well insulated house, we will be home to tend the stove days, stove can wind down overnight, but coals would be nice after at least 6 or 7 hours. I can deal with tending and maintaining. We have an electric furnace for supplement. Shoulder season behavior is going to be important, I think. The stove doesn't have to be fancy or frilly. Cooking ability is nice, but it looks to me like most of those features are better at giving the sales guy something to talk to the women about. [Being a hopeless romantic, if my wife ever saw a real classic-style wood cook stove, the game would be over, but fortunately, they are all EPA exempt so unavailable in Washington or California.]

I have been reading other threads and I'm getting an idea of what to look for now. These stoves are the ones the local stores have and most of them don't get much play here. These will be the first I will be able to see firsthand and talk to the dealers about. I hate dealer showrooms in general, but I'm going to have to do it. But I need objective advice from experienced users. I'll be pretty skeptical of dealer talk alone.

I have about 6 cords drying out now, mostly alder which I think dries pretty fast and some of it seemed pretty good already. One cord was cut two days ago and you could ring it out like a sponge, its so wet, but I'm trying to get about 3 years ahead. I have a moisture meter on order. I still don't know how much I'll burn but I'm guessing about 2, maybe 3 cords with these efficient stoves. We'll see.

 

[Pallet Pete]

My situation is Pacific Northwest, mild climate (30's winters, unending shoulder seasons), 1750 sf single story, well insulated house, we will be home to tend the stove days, stove can wind down overnight, but coals would be nice after at least 6 or 7 hours. I can deal with tending and maintaining. We have an electric furnace for supplement. Shoulder season behavior is going to be important, I think. The stove doesn't have to be fancy or frilly. Cooking ability is nice, but it looks to me like most of those features are better at giving the sales guy something to talk to the women about. [Being a hopeless romantic, if my wife ever saw a real classic-style wood cook stove, the game would be over, but fortunately, they are all EPA exempt so unavailable in Washington or California.]

I have been reading other threads and I'm getting an idea of what to look for now. These stoves are the ones the local stores have and most of them don't get much play here. These will be the first I will be able to see firsthand and talk to the dealers about. I hate dealer showrooms in general, but I'm going to have to do it. But I need objective advice from experienced users. I'll be pretty skeptical of dealer talk alone.

I have about 6 cords drying out now, mostly alder which I think dries pretty fast and some of it seemed pretty good already. One cord was cut two days ago and you could ring it out like a sponge, its so wet, but I'm trying to get about 3 years ahead. I have a moisture meter on order. I still don't know how much I'll burn but I'm guessing about 2, maybe 3 cords with these efficient stoves. We'll see.

It sounds like your really on the ball good job. If you have not looked at them already englander makes some great stoves that fit the budget with high quality, performance and customer service. They are not dealer stove however englander is one of the most loved stove companies on this forum. May be worth a look for you.

(broken link removed to http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/Search?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&keyword=englander&Ns=None&Ntpr=1&Ntpc=1&selectedCatgry=SEARCH+ALL)

I have a friend who uses an Avalon Spokane and it is amazing

(broken link removed)


Pete

 

[BrotherBart]

The Quad and the Enerzone are fine stoves. If they will fit in your heating requirements, clearances and budget. I wouldn't touch a Lennox with a ten foot pole due to a history of high parts prices and dropping stove lines often.

But with any of them the dealer is the key. Get references just like you would with any major purchase. And get it in writing who pays the freight if a warranty situation arises.