I've finally purchased a house where I can heat with wood. The house comes with an old Jotul 602, and I have a pre 80 Vermont Castings Defiant. Both are in good condition. Is it worth reconditioning these two beauties, or should I be looking at replacing them with something newer?
Value of reconditioning old stoves
- Thread starter vtfly
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Woodhawker
ArboristSite Lurker
IMO I would replace them with something more efficient. Most of the newer stoves are way more efficient than stoves that were made 20 years ago and the emissions controls are much improved. I'd keep the better of the two and upgrade when you can afford it. Right now I've got an old Fisher Momma Bear that was brought out of retirement for this past winter. It always worked well and I have no complaints but the efficiency rating is probably 30% whereas some of the newer stoves are at 60-70% I believe. I'm in the process of upgrading for this Fall/Winter.
jerseydevil
ArboristSite Operative
laynes69
Addicted to ArboristSite
I myself would rebuild or repair the vermont castings and keep it in service. Does it have a cat in it? They are great stoves. The jotul I would consider replacing. Both stoves are great stoves though.
Replace gaskets on "All Nighter" stove
Have the "Tiny Moe" stove from the series built by All Nighter Stove Works in the 70's-80's. Love this little thing. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Very clean burning once stack gets up to temp. Cast iron door is held on by two large black pins maybe 2 inches long. Is there a simple way to pull those (w/o damage) so I could have a professional fit door with a new gasket? Otherwise, some pointers on replacing a door gasket myself would be appreciated. Would love to hear from anyone using one of the "Moes". Wish the company was still around so could talk with them, but can't find them listed anywhere.
Have the "Tiny Moe" stove from the series built by All Nighter Stove Works in the 70's-80's. Love this little thing. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Very clean burning once stack gets up to temp. Cast iron door is held on by two large black pins maybe 2 inches long. Is there a simple way to pull those (w/o damage) so I could have a professional fit door with a new gasket? Otherwise, some pointers on replacing a door gasket myself would be appreciated. Would love to hear from anyone using one of the "Moes". Wish the company was still around so could talk with them, but can't find them listed anywhere.
logbutcher
Addicted to ArboristSite
Great Old Stoves
Both stoves were the best of the cast wood stoves in their day. The Defiant will heat a barn, the 602 a room.
Check out:
1. ALL gaskets. Check the size online or at a good stove shop and replace ALL of them.
2. In the dark stick a drop light in the stoves to look for cracks in the cast iron panels, doors, internal plates ( 602 has 2 on the sides and smoke "deflector" above), and especially the joints all around. Messy, but finger in stove cement into all joints.
3. Be sure the mechanical operate: doors, internal damper, thermostatic air control (Defiant).
4. You can get a smoke pellet from a dealer to check air tightness. Do it it with your windows open !
Remember that those stoves were a good but older pre-EPA technology. The post EPA (1989) stoves, catalytic and non-cat, not only burn cleaner WHEN BURNT CORRECTLY, but burn much more efficiently. When we changed over in the early 90's to EPA stoves, we cut our cord use by at least 1/3. Not shabby. Our Jotul 602 was in the sauna until sold just last year.
Good stove brands: Woodstock, Hearthstone, Morso, Jotul, Pacific Energy. The "Vermont Castings" branded stoves (CFM/Majestic)do have quality problems according to users, and warranty and repair difficulties.
Look at your lifestyle, what you need to heat, and aesthetics (e.g. looks, color, loading).
Both stoves were the best of the cast wood stoves in their day. The Defiant will heat a barn, the 602 a room.
Check out:
1. ALL gaskets. Check the size online or at a good stove shop and replace ALL of them.
2. In the dark stick a drop light in the stoves to look for cracks in the cast iron panels, doors, internal plates ( 602 has 2 on the sides and smoke "deflector" above), and especially the joints all around. Messy, but finger in stove cement into all joints.
3. Be sure the mechanical operate: doors, internal damper, thermostatic air control (Defiant).
4. You can get a smoke pellet from a dealer to check air tightness. Do it it with your windows open !
Remember that those stoves were a good but older pre-EPA technology. The post EPA (1989) stoves, catalytic and non-cat, not only burn cleaner WHEN BURNT CORRECTLY, but burn much more efficiently. When we changed over in the early 90's to EPA stoves, we cut our cord use by at least 1/3. Not shabby. Our Jotul 602 was in the sauna until sold just last year.
Good stove brands: Woodstock, Hearthstone, Morso, Jotul, Pacific Energy. The "Vermont Castings" branded stoves (CFM/Majestic)do have quality problems according to users, and warranty and repair difficulties.
Look at your lifestyle, what you need to heat, and aesthetics (e.g. looks, color, loading).
