Woodstove Advice - WETT Inspector Bias?

[Greenmarker]

I have no experience with woodstoves however have a question I'm hoping that some people with experience could give me some unbiased advice.

I have a Drolet Whistler woodstove that I plan on installing in my home. Prior to installation I created a CAD model and asked if the WETT inspector could come by and review the CAD with me to hopefully avoid any issues with installation.

While here, the inspector mentioned that the stove that I have is "junk" and if I installed it then he would never agree to clean my chimney because the stove does not have a removable baffle. He encouraged me to purchase a new stove from him and suggested the Enviro 1700.

I'm struggling answering the question if the Drolet stove really is as bad as he says it is. I've looked at the reviews on this site and did not find any for the Drolet Whistler however the other Drolet stoves seemed to have okay ratings. The Enviro 1700 reviews on this site were all fantastic so I'm thinking that the Enviro 1700 would be a better stove. The question is whether the fact that it's "better" is worth about $1800?

Thanks for any opinions/advice.

 

[BrotherBart]

He is right about the chimney being harder to clean because you can't remove the baffle and just sweep the crud down into the firebox. But the stove is defiantly not "junk". The bottom section of the stove pipe just needs to be removed to clean the chimney. Find a different chimney sweep.

But the Enviro is one nice wood stove. And a lot more efficient in wood usage and heat production than the Whistler.

 

[Greenmarker]

Thanks for your reply BrotherBart. Appreciate the feedback.

He is right about the chimney being harder to clean because you can't remove the baffle and just sweep the crud down into the firebox. But the stove is defiantly not "junk". The bottom section of the stove pipe just needs to be removed to clean the chimney. Find a different chimney sweep.

But the Enviro is one nice wood stove. And a lot more efficient in wood usage and heat production than the Whistler.

 

[sumpnz]

Even if he's right about the sweeping and comparative stove qualities I'd find a different sweep. He's trying to get business unethically. Personally I'd pay more for a sweep that wasn't trying to pressure sell me on a much more expensive item.

 

[webby3650]

There are many stoves out there without removable baffles. High end as well as low end. He sounds inexperienced and pushy to me. I'd find someone else without a doubt! Nothing wrong with drolet.

 

[skinanbones]

depending on were you are in canada and what the age and size of your house, the drolet might be not up to the task of heating all your house. As a long term dealer of enviro stoves that 1700 will heat like you wouldn't believe and has alot of nice touches to it.