Woodstock extends sale.

[b121]

Well for those of you that couldn't make the 31 March deadline,
Woodstock Soapstone Stoves has extended their sale until 30 April.
Seems like we should hear pretty soon how the efficiency testing turned out !

 

[Highbeam]

Dang those guys. I was awfully tempted last week to buy one but the heritage just works so well. The heritage is equivalent to the woodstock in the Hearthstone lineup but costs at least 3000$ after our local sales tax, less the 30% fed incentive.

I only wish woostock would make a bigger one with a thermostat.

 

[Todd]

I knew they would extend the sale, they're prolly makin a killin on those stoves. I would also like to see a larger Woodstock, but maybe the new upgrade will help?

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Yes, I knew they were going to extend it but figured it best that they do the announcing. Like Todd, I'd still like to see one with a larger firebox. I think they would increase their sales a lot.

 

[Wet1]

I only wish woostock would make a bigger one with a thermostat.

I'd be all over that like stink on sh/t!

 

[Flatbedford]

I planned to go up there on the 13th to pick mine up. They told me that inventory was a little low, so I will be going in May when they will have plenty of all models in stock. We are still stuck between Fireview and Keystone. We like the looks of the Keystone and the output of the Fireveiw. They told me I could decide when I get there. The Woodstock customer service has been great and I haven't even bought anything yet.

 

[rob bennett]

The keystone I have ordered was pushed back 2 weeks because they are waiting on the castings to get shipped. It doesn't bother me though.

 

[Easyellis8]

I knew they would extend the sale, they're prolly makin a killin on those stoves. I would also like to see a larger Woodstock, but maybe the new upgrade will help?

Talked to Woodstock yesterday about the upgrade and was told "the upgrade will not increase the heat output of the stove, it will make the stove more efficient". I asked if efficient means more heat and was told no. Expect the upgrade to be ready for next season. Also, was told that there is a larger woodstock on paper but nothing will be done with it until the upgrade is completed. Again, I asked the question when will the larger stove hit the market...upgrade next year and a year or two after for the larger model. That will put the new model out in the 2010 earliest and 2011 latest if everything goes according to schedule.

 

[Slow1]

Anyone know if they would be willing to customize the build of one of these stoves? In particular my install location has a wall on the right side (and I'd like to stick close to the clearances) and an open left side so the side door to load really makes a lot more sense on the left - think they might entertain that swap? I'm not really close enough to deciding to buy one to actually call them, but wonder if anyone has ever asked such a thing.

 

[Todd]

Anyone know if they would be willing to customize the build of one of these stoves? In particular my install location has a wall on the right side (and I'd like to stick close to the clearances) and an open left side so the side door to load really makes a lot more sense on the left - think they might entertain that swap? I'm not really close enough to deciding to buy one to actually call them, but wonder if anyone has ever asked such a thing.

I wanted a left side door too, and got the reply that they don't do it because it hasn't been tested and approved that way.

 

[Todd]

I knew they would extend the sale, they're prolly makin a killin on those stoves. I would also like to see a larger Woodstock, but maybe the new upgrade will help?

Talked to Woodstock yesterday about the upgrade and was told "the upgrade will not increase the heat output of the stove, it will make the stove more efficient". I asked if efficient means more heat and was told no. Expect the upgrade to be ready for next season. Also, was told that there is a larger woodstock on paper but nothing will be done with it until the upgrade is completed. Again, I asked the question when will the larger stove hit the market...upgrade next year and a year or two after for the larger model. That will put the new model out in the 2010 earliest and 2011 latest if everything goes according to schedule.

Huh? How can making a stove more efficient not produce more heat? That makes no sense to me.

I hope your right about that larger Woodstock, every time I've asked I'm told there is nothing in the works.

 

[Flatbedford]

I think that rated heat output is a function of firebox size. Maybe what they are saying is that it will have the same output, but longer burn time?

 

[RS267]

Actually, we are seeing a small boost in the max BTUs. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 10%, but I would hesitate to speculate on end result when we don't have the final design, are working with prototype parts, and the ultimate arbiter will be the EPA cert test (the design change will necessitate recertification).

We actually can build the Model 205 Fireview with a left hand door as a cosmetic change. But there are caveats. We can put the door on the left but we currently cannot change the relationship between the door and the door frame, so the hinges would be toward the front of the stove and the door will open from back to front. The bypass and damper controls must remain on the right rear of the stove, so you would be working from both ends of the stove. Lastly, one of the internal parts, that should be removed periodically for cleaning, will become a bit more awkward. Currently, the access bolt is right inside the loading door. With a left door, you will need to reach across the firebox to remove it. Doable, but awkward. If you can live with those quirky bits, we can build a left door Fireview.

 

[Todd]

Ron,
Can you give any details on the larger Woodstock in the works, like how big of a fire box and overall weight?

 

[RS267]

Not really,no. It's conceptual at this point. Napkin doodlings, if you will, but definitely on the radar. We are 25 people. R & D consists of some of the same people who participate daily in our core business: the manufacture, customer service, and sales of our current product line. The wheels move slowly and nothing is set in stone (pun definitely intended).

 

[Easyellis8]

Not really,no. It's conceptual at this point. Napkin doodlings, if you will, but definitely on the radar. We are 25 people. R & D consists of some of the same people who participate daily in our core business: the manufacture, customer service, and sales of our current product line. The wheels move slowly and nothing is set in stone (pun definitely intended).

Todd,

Your question was answered, now how long are you willing to wait for the upgrade/larger model?

 

[Todd]

Not really,no. It's conceptual at this point. Napkin doodlings, if you will, but definitely on the radar. We are 25 people. R & D consists of some of the same people who participate daily in our core business: the manufacture, customer service, and sales of our current product line. The wheels move slowly and nothing is set in stone (pun definitely intended).

Todd,

Your question was answered, now how long are you willing to wait for the upgrade/larger model?

Well, if they ever get it off the drawing board and start production, I'm willing to wait 2 or 3 years. The wife already ok'd a bigger Woodstock as long as it has the same looks.

 

[Easyellis8]

The new home that we purchased is two-story and has 3,100 square feet; I think that I would be asking too much from the current fireview. I'm willing to wait for a larger stove, I'll use the coming years to stock up on wood and other wood burning purchases before getting the stove. My wife is on board for a stove, but she has definitely stated that she does not want a big black box sitting in the corner. She has been reading up on woodstock and the clearance requirements.

Ed

 

[Todd]

If I had 3100 sq ft I'd look into a wood burning furnace. Wood stoves are space heaters and there are not too many rated for 3100sq ft.

 

[Easyellis8]

I've done very little research into the wood furnaces, other options still need to be explored.

 

[begreen]

The alternative is to heat less area. Close off sections for the winter or add a second stove for dead of winter heating.

 

[Easyellis8]

The second stove is not an option, not enough space for another install. The home is set up with two heat pumps, one for the first floor and one for the second, the family room and living room is downstairs; this is the area that I want to heat. One issue that I'll have to contend with is a high, vaulted ceiling in the entrance of the home that leads to where the stove will be located; this room does not have a door. I'll take some pictures and post them in the near future, hopefully, this will show you what I'm trying to do.

 

[Wet1]

I'm grad to hear WS is FINALLY starting to think about a larger stove... I just wish this huge void in their lineup was addressed yesterday rather than a year or two in the future. One would hope this is going to be a 3.5+ cf box.

BTW, thanks for chiming in Ron!

 

[Highbeam]

I too am happy to see a large woodstock may be in the future. I can only hope and vote to add a thermostatic air supply too like BK and some other folks have done. Truly though, I would be expecting a 3CF model just to compete with the BK princess. Going bigger is going to limit the market. 3CF is the standard in "good sized" stoves and wil allow them to offer a stove rated to heat the average sized residence.

I am not surprised that an increase in efficiency has nothing to do with heat output. The stove still has the same max temp and is still the same size. An increase in the efficiency will only mean you must turn the intake air down to prevent overfire. A little less wood burned? Who cares? Start investing that time in making a larger stove. The current fireview is already vastly more efficient than the competition.

Thank you woodstock for developing new products and improvments. Now about that stat.....

 

[rob bennett]

how about a 3.25 cu foot keystone style stove with a big ashpan and a 3 way bypass.
1 setting for start up, 1 setting to run the cat slow and low, and one to bypass the damper and run the burn tubes for the pretty flames.