Wilkening develops EPA-approved fireplace

[MishMouse]

Do not know if anyone posted this yet.

http://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/business/3924276-wilkening-develops-epa-approved-fireplace

Good for a local company to take the challenge the EPA offered and excel at it.
Creating a product that is better for the environment, produces more heat and looks good.

 

[mellow]

Ha, another intensifire. (broken link removed to http://wilkeningfireplace.com/intensafyre.htm)

 

[Jeff From NJ]

Not EVER wanting to be a guinea pig, I don't see much discussion on the board about Wilkening. I see they have VERY few dealers, and would be VERY concerned that a new to market product would be worth taking a chance on. That being said, I like the story, but unfortunately absent a free trial, why would anyone jump on this when there are plenty of established and proven products on the market, and discussed on this very forum.

Wilkening would do well getting a bunch of these units into the marketplace, perhaps giving them away at cost, to start getting the word out. To me, spending thousands on an unproven product by a company that may or may not be able to support it if/when the kinks begin to get worked out is a recipe for failure.

Am I missing something? Granted I'm new to this, but it seems this is a non starter ...

 

[simple.serf]

My father used to heat his place with a Wilkening "Ultragreat" heat exchanger type of thing. Ate wood like crazy, but was very well built. If I was in the market, I'd try one.

 

[begreen]

Interesting to see that the Intesafyre is a hybrid masonry design. It might be a nice heater in a central interior location.

Wish it didn't have a name so close to the Intensifire. Jason has his own challenges bringing a new product to market.

 

[Jeff From NJ]

My father used to heat his place with a Wilkening "Ultragreat" heat exchanger type of thing. Ate wood like crazy, but was very well built. If I was in the market, I'd try one.

Educate me a bit, why would you "try" it. If it was free, yes I agree, but why would you spend cash to take a gamble with so many sure things that we all know work as stated. Am I missing something?

 

[begreen]

I can't see offering a ZC fireplace for free, it's built in. But I can see starting with a discounted beta program. Bless the early adopter. Without them we would never see new stoves or technology in homes. Often with a smaller run mfg. you get better, personal support. They have a lot riding on their product reputation. Contrast this to an industry giant that say has flame impingement issues on the catalyst and does little to address them and no direct line.

 

[Jeff From NJ]

I can't see offering a ZC fireplace for free, it is built in. But I can see starting with a discounted beta program. Bless the early adopter. Without them we would never see new stoves or technology in homes.

That's my point. I'm now in the market to buy and will be purchasing in the next month or so. So I ask myself, what would make me take a shot at an unproven product, a discount. Not a hundred dollars off an inflated retail price, but a real, at cost, deal where the manufacturer makes nothing (doesn't lose anything either) and personally promises to assist with the install to make sure it goes in right and personally promises to make things right if things go wrong, rather then pushing the problem on a distributor or retailer.

Then, when the manufacturer puts a few units into service and the reviews begin to trickle in, we all have something to discuss. Absent that, I imagine sales of this unit will only come by financial incentives to retailers that will push the item onto uneducated buyers.

I hope I'm not stepping on toes here, but I have no horse in this race and I am simply giving my opinion, for what its worth ....

 

[MishMouse]

I do not think they have their new design for sale at their website. Looking through the window in the picture in the article, looks like the new model is going to start with a Gra...., the MAGNA-FYRE II (71%) and the Intens-A-Fyre (66.13) look like already existing models.

 

[begreen]

Making a big fireplace that meets 2020 standards is no small task. Kudo's for reaching this milestone.

If interested, give them a call, ask for references from other customers. Check their site to see if there are any local dealers and call them.

 

[Jeff From NJ]

Making a big fireplace that meets 2020 standards is no small task. Kudo's for reaching this milestone.

If interested, give them a call, ask for references from other customers. Check their site to see if there are any local dealers and call them.

I agree, on paper it is a great milestone and I am certain they didn't get certification just for asking. Clearly they have a product and clearly the product does what it says. My issue is, how well built would the item be, how long will it last, how well will it work in my personal home (and other homes rather then a lab), what parts will break, how easy will it be to get replacement parts, etc. etc. etc.

I know the answer to these questions for other manufacturers based on the reviews here and discussions I've had. These questions can not be answered for this product as it is just coming to market and has no track record, other than what the manufacturer has done in the past with other products.

 

[begreen]

Yes, it's hard when the product is less well known. Call several dealers, particularly ones that sell different brands and ask what they think. Ask them why buy a lesser known brand. Ask what the benefits are of the Wilkenings. Ask them about service and warranty. Eventually you should be able to get a better feel for their fireplaces.

If not satisfied, move on to one of the better known brands. There are several other good models to choose from that are time proven and have a good track record.

 

[Jeff From NJ]

Yes, it's hard when the product is less well known. Call several dealers, particularly ones that sell different brands and ask what they think. Ask them why buy a lesser known brand. Ask what the benefits are of the Wilkenings. Ask them about service and warranty. Eventually you should be able to get a better feel for their fireplaces.

If not satisfied, move on to one of the better known brands. There are several other good models to choose from that are time proven and have a good track record.

I've actually narrowed down my search to a few of the more popular units thanks to members of this forum and expect to pull the trigger over the next few weeks. I also took your, begreen's, suggestion and called over to Wilkening to see if they had a beta test that would make sense for me to participate in. I'm probably typical of most of the member here, willing to try something new just for the fun of it, but in the end, I don't want to go through the hassle if upper management gets upset. As Quentin Tarantino said, "Nothing is gonna make me forget that I love my wife."

 

[mellow]

I hope they do give you a discount for trying them out, but sadly some businesses do not see the value of online reviews.

Had I called Appalachian and told them I wanted a stove to review at cost they would have laughed and hung up on me, as it was they were not too thrilled with my review and the stuff I pointed out to them. I bought an Appalachian because I got the price reduced in the off season from one of their dealers who sold it at near cost, maybe try one their dealers to see if they would like a review of it online for more potential sales if Wilkening tells you no.

 

[Jeff From NJ]

I hope they do give you a discount for trying them out, but sadly some businesses do not see the value of online reviews.

Had I called Appalachian and told them I wanted a stove to review at cost they would have laughed and hung up on me, as it was they were not too thrilled with my review and the stuff I pointed out to them. I bought an Appalachian because I got the price reduced in the off season from one of their dealers who sold it at near cost, maybe try one their dealers to see if they would like a review of it online for more potential sales if Wilkening tells you no.

To be honest, I'm not going to kill myself on this. I think it would be fun to test the unit, would be happy to write a review after its installed and operating, for the benefit of the forum and potentially the manufacturer, and would be willing to pay a reasonable price to do that. Absent that, I'm going to buy one of the usual models that everyone on here knows as it is a safe purchase and works as promised in the real world.

 

[mellow]

More Details for Wilkening Fireplace CO
Categorized under Fireplaces. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of $1 to 2.5 million and employs a staff of approximately 10 to 19.

If that is true I don't think they are necessarily hurting for reviews. They do a have decent dealer network.

 

[Jeff From NJ]

There ares no reviews right here on this site that have any relevance to this product. The best I could find is some mention of door replacements, not exactly the kind of info that helps in a purchase decision.

 

[begreen]

There's about 3 pages of threads that come up on the company during a search. Many are for their doors but there are also some on their fireplaces. webbie may be able to give you some dealer perspective on the company.

 

[Jeff From NJ]

That's my point, there really aren't any real reviews on this or earlier units. Webbie did mention in passing Wilkening as one of the products to checkout when he gave suggestions on units, but it did not appear that he took a position on the quality nor discuss the company, only to check them out along with numerous other brands.

I'll give an update for the benefit of everyone when I hear back or conclude my research.

Thanks

 

[mminor]

Hey Jeff,

Which ZC fireplaces are on your short list out of curiosity?

Matt
NY

 

[Jeff From NJ]

Hey Jeff,

Which ZC fireplaces are on your short list out of curiosity?

Matt
NY

I was originally looking at the Opel 2 or 3, then looked a bit at the Valcourt FP12. Now, I'm wondering if I can/should get a larger unit and started looking at the Valcourt Versailles, Superior WCT 6840WS, Quadra-Fire 7100, Fireplacextrodinair 44 Elite (I really like this one), and then stumbled onto the Wilkenig Magna-Fyre II today.

I spoke to Wilenig today and the owner is out for the week. After we speak, and I see what he has to say, I may take the Wilkenig more seriously.

 

[mminor]

Many, many good reviews on here from owners of the Quadrafire 7100 and 44 Elite. I like both these units a lot as well, although for my smaller house I'll have to go with the smaller sister models - the Northstar or the 36 Elite. You definitely have done your homework - nice work!

 

[Jeff From NJ]

Many, many good reviews on here from owners of the Quadrafire 7100 and 44 Elite. I like both these units a lot as well, although for my smaller house I'll have to go with the smaller sister models - the Northstar or the 36 Elite. You definitely have done your homework - nice work!

Thanks. I've come to the conclusion that most of the models kicked around this site would offer a good experience. My thinking however is that the installation is really what makes one unit function at peak capacity in one home and just so-so in another.

Find the right installer and you reduce your risk.

Good luck with your purchase and pay it forward with a good review after you're all set up!

 

[simple.serf]

Educate me a bit, why would you "try" it. If it was free, yes I agree, but why would you spend cash to take a gamble with so many sure things that we all know work as stated. Am I missing something?

Well, I wouldn't just look online and decide. I'd want to see the unit in person. If it looks well designed, why not? I repair obsolete food equipment and industrial bakery ovens for a living. If it breaks, you fix it. I also have used a product that this company has built, I have purchased parts from them for my father. As a result of my past experience with the company, I would be comfortable spending money on one, again, if I was in the market.

Interestingly, when I was in the market for my current stove, it was between the Enerzone and a Regency. The Enerzone was $500 less and was a showroom display model. The Regency was new in the crate. At the end of the day, it's a steel box, and I can buy a lot of welding rod for $500.

 

[Jeff From NJ]

Well, I wouldn't just look online and decide. I'd want to see the unit in person. If it looks well designed, why not? I repair obsolete food equipment and industrial bakery ovens for a living. If it breaks, you fix it. I also have used a product that this company has built, I have purchased parts from them for my father. As a result of my past experience with the company, I would be comfortable spending money on one, again, if I was in the market.

Interestingly, when I was in the market for my current stove, it was between the Enerzone and a Regency. The Enerzone was $500 less and was a showroom display model. The Regency was new in the crate. At the end of the day, it's a steel box, and I can buy a lot of welding rod for $500.

Your answer explains your thinking well. For me, I don't want to own a problem, don't want to take apart the box and fix it, and don't want to be my own service adviser. I actually like this company and believe they are making a good product and trying to give it a go. However, while I may root from the sidelines for them to succeed, I still have to realize I am laying down real dollars to buy a product and need to get what I pay for.

Take the price of the parts, add to it all the components that go into it (rent, insurance, power, wages, etc), add the cost for warranty work/insurance (always added in, just usually invisible to the consumer), and add some profit. For me, to take a chance and not buy a known product from a company that has a track record of making these units, I would be willing to pay for the parts, most of the components, none of the warranty costs, and none of the profit. In exchange, I would take a chance, be willing to be a beta site and report back the issues, entertain the repairs and tweaking that inevitably will come from this, and be without heat from my fireplace for random periods now and then while things are being fixed, sent, reworked.

I have already spoken to the company and I think they are in a good place with a some good thoughts on moving forward. To be honest, I think they need to decide if they want to be a big fish in a small pond, or if this is the time to expand and think big. Either way, the product will be good. Its just a question on how much pain the consumer is willing to take to participate in assisting them and for me, it becomes a financial decision since the retail price of this unit is the same as the established and proven brands.