Woodstock Soapstone Stoves

[sandie]

I have a Vermont Castings Resolute circa 1978 I think. Two doors. I am trying to heat the first floor of a Cape house so the two rooms upstairs are with closed doors. The stove is at one end of a 25x15ft room that has two openings one into the kitchen and one into the dining room and wall betw those openings that is about 12ft on. On the opposite wall are two huge windows and a door. The ceiling is a low one so maybe 7 or 8 ft. WE have trouble getting the room up to 70 degrees and if we do it takes some hours to do that. I am thinking that maybe the back of this stove is clogged(where secondary smoke goes through?) WE love the heat that a wood stove provides so am thinking maybe it is time for a new stove. Saw a Woodstock Soapstone stove and like the idea but not sure it is the stove for me. They have new models that are hybrid and they have a steel stove that you can have soapstone sides and firebox. I would say our home is about 1800 sq ft, no basement or attic and want to be able to warm the downstairs to 68 at least. Soapstone seems to warm up slower but then keeps the heat longer so wonder if it s even a choice for me. You experts are great and welcome your thoughts.

 

[JA600L]

I have the Woodstock Soapstone Ideal Steel Hybrid In my 1640 sqft rancher heating from the basement. It is a heat monster when you want it to be. I have no problem heating my bedrooms in the opposite corner of the house. This thing is a beast and easily keeps my house in the low to mid 70's all winter. For it to work properly though, you need very dry wood and an optimized flue system. It does not breathe easy. It has a huge loading door which encourages smoke spillage.

What is your flue and wood supply like?

 

[DougA]

Your Resolute is probably 40,000 BTU (mfg specs) so you can use that to compare with anything current.

What tempature was the Resolute normally burning at in operation? Many people think 350 to 400 is optimum but you're only getting a fraction of the heat that you should be. I used to burn mine at 550 to 600 on cold nights. I'm wondering if your wood was dry enough and as mentioned, newer stoves will be even more touchy with wood that is not dry.

 

[quotejso]

You can't go wrong with Woodstock. All their soapstone cast iron stoves are very pleasant to look at like the old VC stoves. I was able to raise the temp in my room by five degrees with the sliding door open during a break in burn with a small fire in the progress hybrid.

 

[sandie]

I have the Woodstock Soapstone Ideal Steel Hybrid In my 1640 sqft rancher heating from the basement. It is a heat monster when you want it to be. I have no problem heating my bedrooms in the opposite corner of the house. This thing is a beast and easily keeps my house in the low to mid 70's all winter. For it to work properly though, you need very dry wood and an optimized flue system. It does not breathe easy. It has a huge loading door which encourages smoke spillage.

What is your flue and wood supply like?

wood supply - I am at the mercy of the guy who sells it to me and there are times it is NOT great but most times it is ok, Not sure by what you mean as "optimized flue system". Chimney sweep comes and cleans out the pipe of creosote etc. I will try running the stove hotter, I usually bring it up to 600 or so and let it cook for a little while but then close the flue and and she cruises at about 450 or so for a few hours (2-3) then reload.

 

[sandie]

Thanks every one. Maybe I do not have what is needed for a Soapstone stove since I do not store the wood until it is delivered etc. No space too put and season for a season on my property so depend on it being seasoned before it is delivered. So not sure how really dry it is although when I test it most is about 18% or 20%. So far as the flue design, I am not sure, I wanted to just disengage my VC and hook up the Soapstone (have someone to do for me of course) so will it need new venting and pipe etc.? I might just live with the VC that I know and love. Got to try to see if we can get the top piece off so we can look at the back baffling to make sure it clear. LOVE WOOD HEAT!!

 

[begreen]

There appears to be a little confusion here. Modern stoves are a bit more sensitive to wood seasoning than old, pre-EPA stoves. They really need fully seasoned wood to perform well. This is true whether it's a metal or soapstone stove. With wood in the 18-20% range you will be fine. Stop by and chat with the folks at Woodstock. They make good products and support their customers well.

If you decide that a soapstone stove is not what you would prefer, no problem. There are many other good stove brands and choices available.

 

[brad wilton]

Buy what you want and enjoy

 

[Rearscreen]

Ah the Resolute. I love that stove. Had one for years. Served me well. Pancakes on the griddle. Moved and bought a Hearthstone soapstone chipped porcelain and got a discount at factory, wonderful stove and introduction to soapstone. Moved again to the house I constructed (in Avatar) and bought a Mansfield. Great stove never a problem. Moved again (Mafia neighbor shooting semi automatic weapons any time of day or night) and bought the Progress. 3 less cords over the existing Oslo that was there. Yup. Moved again bringing my Progress with me and...lo and behold, A Resolute was in the fireplace! Fired it up a few times just for nostalgia. Still love it. But out it went and the PH now sits proudly in it's spot. I will never buy another non soapstone as the heat is softer, forget the ramp up time, there's always a cold beer. And as of now, I would never consider buying another stove. This thing is incredible.