Your opions on stove manufacturers

[TAC_Double]

OK, after listening to what everyone has to say about my old All Nighter, I am going to purchase a new stove. I checked around to see what was avalible in my area and there seems to be 3 main brands sold.

Morso
US Stove
Vogelzang


From what I have read the Morso stoves are great, but expensive. My wife is leaning towards the other 2 brands because of price. Does any one have any experience with any for the brands that would help me make a good purchase. I want to do this right the first time. Or can any one recommend another brand thats even better at a good price?

I am open to ideas here..


Thanks!

 

[Detector$]

Jotul www.jotul.com

 

[Mandoo]

https://www.hearth.com/ratings/search.php

 

[webbie]

Vogelzang is probably going backwards from the All nighter - they are not well regarded stoves. The company is known for chinese knock-offs and kits to convert 55 gal drums.

US Stove is ok - a working persons stove - but it is hard to compare to Jotul or Morso, etc.

A lot depends on your exact budget and size needs. If you are looking for "stove for the buck" (budget) and can use the size, then the US Stove or a model like Englander 30 (Lowes, Home Depot) or Century will do the job. Some of these reportedly are on sale for 25% to 50% off. But if your budget goes north of $1000, you can start looking at some fancier units. Although I don't usually suggest mail order (internet buying), if you are going to buy a US Stove, Vogelzang or Englander/Century, etc....well then you might as well look on the net because these brands often do not have dealer service anyway.

Another question would be if you are going to need installation. If so, a local dealer would definitely be a good way to go. If you ask, you may find that some models in your local dealer are on sale at this time of year.

Read the article about choosing a stove in my signature and then try to get an idea of size, etc.

 

[swestall]

Of those, the Morso is by far the best product. But, you can get other brands shipped to you no matter where you live. Yes, you wouldn't have a dealer to support you; other than the one you purchased from. I would recommend that you take a look at chimneysweeponline.com to see PE and Hearthstone products and also like Jotul, Quadrafire in high end.(there are others)

If you really need to keep on a budget then I would suggest you try to see if a Home Depot in your area has an England 30; they are on sale (about 100-200 off) and they are great stoves.

I would also second what Craig said in a little more detail. If you go out and purchase a stove on price only and get one of the very low priced units coming from who knows where you will most likely end up getting rid of it when you save up for a quality product. So, the quality product is really a better deal up front.

Don't forget to factor in the need for a chimney liner when you do all this work.

 

[babalu87]

I can attest that the Morso is a GREAT stove and I dont regret spending $1800 on it for a second.

Remember this, no matter what you buy your going to have to look at it too

 

[savageactor7]

I have a quadra-fire 4300 steptop with a blower 1 or 2 logs in that burning hot puts out more heat than my full Shenandoah. Great stove just wish we had gotten the next larger model. Lots of good stoves out there my only recommendation is get one so that the logs go NS or front to back.

 

[SlyFerret]

If you can find an Englander 30 clearance at Home Depot, you'll be hard pressed to find a better stove for the money.

I was at Home Depot yesterday and they have them at $799 on sale right now for the 30NC (the big one), and less for the smaller Englander stoves.

-SF

 

[brooktrout]

You should be able to find a Buckstove dealer in Ohio. They have a great reputation for making solid stoves, and they're not into the advertising and image hype. A good company with a quiet nature.

 

[TAC_Double]

I was able to get out and do some shopping lastnight. We have narrowed it down to 3 choices. I am hoping that your thoughts will help use make the right choice.

1. Morso 3610 - $1,889

2. Quadra-Fire Cumberland Gap - $1690

3. Lexington Forge Windsor W1004 - $1250


Any thoughts on these? I am leaning towards the Morso, the wife likes the cumberland gap but also likes the Windsor for the price.

 

[BrotherBart]

I am curious about the Lexington Forge stove. They don't list a "Windsor" in their line-up.

 

[STOVEGUY11]

Warranty, Read carefully. You get alot better bang for your buck when you purchase a more reputable product. Try to stay away from the bix box stores, they usually offer very little or nothing at all. Plus what do you do when you need parts for your stove that was bought at a big box store.

 

[TAC_Double]

Well, I called the dealer about the Windsor... says that model has been on the market for years, and is very popular. But I can't find anything on that model or #. searched and searched. My only guess is that it is a discontinued model or something. They have knocked $900 off the price, so i am wondering how long they have had it in stock?

Maybe I'll stay away from that one.

 

[TMonter]

I can speak well of Quadrafire's warranty from personal experience and I know of several people who swear by the big sister of the Cumberland gap. I've been very happy with my Quad and would recommend it to others.

 

[grizzly2]

Jotul Jotul JOTUL

 

[jtp10181]

I know the Quad Cumberland Gap would be a great stove, and I have seen others post about their Morso stoves which seems to be a great brand as well. Probably either would be a good choice. I would pick out one for the looks and also pick your dealer. If you have problems its always nice to have a dealer with good support. If you are having trouble using it or can;t quite figure it out are they going to come out to your house and spend an hour with you explaining the controls and making a fire? I know I will but I don't know about other dealers.

One other thing to check out is features like how the air control systems work, ash removal, blowers, outside air (required or optional?), colors to pick from, etc...

 

[stoveguy2esw]

Warranty, Read carefully. You get alot better bang for your buck when you purchase a more reputable product. Try to stay away from the bix box stores, they usually offer very little or nothing at all. Plus what do you do when you need parts for your stove that was bought at a big box store.

im not going to get drawn into an arguement about which service model is better than the other. but i will say this , we support our products very well TYVM we do our support at the factory level , now granted our model may not be for everyone , we sell though the "DIY" market , and we do help folks in most cases correct problems themselves, in virtually every case we will have either the stove running , or a part keyed to ship before we finish the call but i have to admit if you want "in home service" you should shop for a "dealer based" product.

as far as initial quality we are as good as anyone on the market and better than some. as far as parts , they are available online , or by contacting us at the factory , if you are in a hurry , i can have a part to any location in the lower 48 by the next buisness day, and the customer can install it with no worry of "voiding their warranty" with dealer based service this may not be the case, and in some instances the customer may have to wait for a technician to come out to install a part , or wait for a dealer to get one in from the factory.

mind you im not bashing dealer support , some folks simply prefer it or may not be mechanically inclined, some folks though may prefer that they just get the part and install it without waiting for an appointment with a tech to do it for them , different strokes. i do sir , take exception to the suggestion that our product or company is not "reputable"simply because we sell in "big box" stores and would be remiss if i didnt mention that good products can be sold by less than "reputible" dealers. not suggesting that anyone who takes the time to participate in this forum falls under that category far from it , i applaud each and every one of the dealers who do. shows that they care about the industry they work in, but ive been in this industry for 15 years and i have heard the stories, i work very hard to ensure that those stories dont include me or my product line.

finally,i do not bash other lines in this forum personally, i think its in poor taste as a manufacturer to do so.

 

[crazy_dan]

Well said Mike
The only thing I will add is I see about the same # of help posts for the higher dollar stoves as I do for the Englander stoves on here. Corie and Mike help as much as they can being over the Internet, but they do get the problem resolved.

 

[Bill]

I think the help requests for different priced stoves is often the learning curve, wet wood, and not ideal installations. I have the 3610 and highly recommend it.

 

[btj1031]

Very smart move on the part of Englander to have someone from the company on this site to respond to people's questions/comments/concerns. I admit I have been surprised by the number of folks who speak highly Englander's products. I'm sure Englander knows that part of the tradeoff that comes with a having a relationship with a box store that will move a lot of product is that people might be skeptical of a product that is often found in specialty shops available in mass quantities at a box store, and maybe the box store doesn't always treat customers the way the vendor would like it to.

That said, I've got a Jotul, and I'm very happy with it. Can't speak about the quality of any other stove.

 

[swestall]

Well folks, this year, I went for the Hearthstone Mansfield and I bought one of the Englander's from HD for my brother. Both of these stoves are doing an excellent job; we have both been burning for a lifetime and our learning curve was short.

I like the look of the Mansfield because it is not just a stove, it is in our living space and is also a piece of furniture, very expensive furniture. But, my wife liked how it looks.

My brother's Englander is in his basement and is a heating stove; it cranks. In fact it gets hotter than my Mansfield. But, the Mansfield radiates very nice 24/7.

The folks from Englander on this forum make a real contribution, not just when it is their stoves but they help with everyone's stoves, installations, chimney's and all. Let's give them credit where it is due.

And, for choosing stoves; consider our family situation, one wanted heat and the furniture aspect, the other just heat and a good quality product: we both got what we wanted. We are lucky to have so many good choices, aren't we?

 

[justcollectingdust]

Warranty, Read carefully. You get alot better bang for your buck when you purchase a more reputable product. Try to stay away from the bix box stores, they usually offer very little or nothing at all. Plus what do you do when you need parts for your stove that was bought at a big box store.

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum.....My wife and I are shopping at this time for a pellet stove and have just looked at a used Englander that was built in 1994....heats 2200
sq ft and the owner is a friend of my wife.....they have never had to do any repairs to their stove and that's not bad for a stove that is 14 years old! When we
went to visit them they fired it right up and I must say it was impressive. We are still considering new.
After reading various comments by the StoveGuy11....I don't know if I would even consider buying a stove that he/she recommends. Seems every time
I read one of his/her articles their is always a slam on the box stores.....and the Englander stove .....
By the way, I really feel for those companies like Vermont Castings etc that are having trouble staying in business....they make a great looking product.
As for my wife and I.....we will be stopping by Home Depot on Thursday to hopefully make a deal on a 10-CDV.......unless someone here can tell me that I
should be buying the 25PDV?
anyway, thank you all for helping with our decision.....
Sincerely,
Lou

 

[raybonz]

Warranty, Read carefully. You get alot better bang for your buck when you purchase a more reputable product. Try to stay away from the bix box stores, they usually offer very little or nothing at all. Plus what do you do when you need parts for your stove that was bought at a big box store.

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum.....My wife and I are shopping at this time for a pellet stove and have just looked at a used Englander that was built in 1994....heats 2200
sq ft and the owner is a friend of my wife.....they have never had to do any repairs to their stove and that's not bad for a stove that is 14 years old! When we
went to visit them they fired it right up and I must say it was impressive. We are still considering new.
After reading various comments by the StoveGuy11....I don't know if I would even consider buying a stove that he/she recommends. Seems every time
I read one of his/her articles their is always a slam on the box stores.....and the Englander stove .....
By the way, I really feel for those companies like Vermont Castings etc that are having trouble staying in business....they make a great looking product.
As for my wife and I.....we will be stopping by Home Depot on Thursday to hopefully make a deal on a 10-CDV.......unless someone here can tell me that I
should be buying the 25PDV?
anyway, thank you all for helping with our decision.....
Sincerely,
Lou

Hi Lou,
In my opinion if the stove has never needed a repair in 14 years and it is in good condition I'd say buy it as long as the price is right.. Englander has been around for quite a while and I suggest you check out their site to ensure parts are still available in case you need any.. From what I have read here they have good tech support too.. Some people here are biased (I own a 20 yr. old Consolidated Dutchwest which some slam here but has served me well) and offer unsolicited opinions.. There are many Englander fans here and they know what value they offer..

Ray

 

[justcollectingdust]

thanks Ray! your post is very much appreciated.
Lou

 

[drizler]

Stoveguy Is right. What really is the difference? All I hear around here is bashing big box stores no matter what the name. I for one am damned glad to have a couple around and I wish we had more. All this dealer backing hoopla reminds me of the old saying, "for a few dollars more you can go first class". Well guess what you couldn't then just like now. True you don't get all the hand holding you MIGHT get from a dealer but on the other hand they sell the same stuff. A lot of us can and do take care of most of our issues and push come to shove rest assured that dealer will be as happy to take my money as anyone else's. Same stuff 20 or more percent off for me its a no brainer. With the resources found on the internet there is little you can't learn if you know how to ask and repair with a few mechanical skills. Long live the big box stores!