Long time reader, short time poster here! I've used this site as a valuable learning tool for making my decision. Thanks to all who have posted for those of us that don't have much to contribute but a lot to learn.
I've been using an old "slide in" insert the past 7 years. By slide in, I mean there is no direst chimney connection or liner. This sucker, unknown name, is from 1977 as I recall and obviously not real efficient. I usually burn about 3 cords a year and can never get longer than a 3 hour burn time.
So I've been researching inserts for my masonry chimney and looked at Osburn, Pacific Energy, Hampton, Harmin, Quads and Drolet....oh and Regency. I spoke with all the dealers and asked a lot of what I considered "education" questions thanks to this site. I was shopping for a dealer as much as a stove.
Yes I thought about doing the liner myself and I am handy enough to do it without too much of a problem as my chimney is mostly a 25' straight shot, but in the end, I chose to have the dealer install it. For $500 I just couldn't justify my time.
I had my decision narrowed down to the Regency I3100, a Harmon (Exception i think it was) and the Hampton HI300. The best dealer was the Harmon. I loved the insert but found out I'd have to pull it out every time I wanted to clean the chimney because of how the damper design it. Cross that off the list.
Next was the Hampton. It wins hands down in the looks department, but I wasn't buying a piece of furniture. The price for matte black was pretty even with the large Regency. Stats were similar, 75k v. 80k as far as heating capacity. I guess the problem I had was one was cast iron and the other steel.
Sure, I like the look of the cast iron, but from what I read here, cast iron stoves are bolted and seam sealed which MAY eventually need to be repaired. Also cast iron is much more difficult and costly to repair than steel. The dealer sold both and I quizzed him on both. He didn't sway my decision one way or another. He basically said the majority of stove problems are caused by the user, not the material or manufacturer. OK, I agree with that. For some reason though, In my mind a cast stove has a smaller room for error than a steel stove. No, I'm not basing this on "scientific evidence", I just know my cast iron chiminea broke from my error and the man above knows I make errors. LOL.
The second thing I thought about was fire box size....2.3 for the Hampton compared to 2.9 for the Regency. Again, from what I've learned here, the larger fire box will offer longer burn times. I don't mind loading wood, but my better half hates it. She almost needs a buzzer to go off for her to throw a log on when I'm not here.
So in the end, I opted for the Regency. A friend has the same model and loves it. But I'm still second guessing myself about that beautiful Hampton. I just think I'm too much of a klutz to own anything cast iron. Hope I made the right decision.....
The install is set for mid January.
BTW, my wife left the decision solely to me. We'll see how that goes to!
So for reference and those looking at posts in the future, here's what I paid:
Regency I3100, blower, stainless liner (no insulation), freight, and install....$3,650 plus tax.
I've been using an old "slide in" insert the past 7 years. By slide in, I mean there is no direst chimney connection or liner. This sucker, unknown name, is from 1977 as I recall and obviously not real efficient. I usually burn about 3 cords a year and can never get longer than a 3 hour burn time.
So I've been researching inserts for my masonry chimney and looked at Osburn, Pacific Energy, Hampton, Harmin, Quads and Drolet....oh and Regency. I spoke with all the dealers and asked a lot of what I considered "education" questions thanks to this site. I was shopping for a dealer as much as a stove.
Yes I thought about doing the liner myself and I am handy enough to do it without too much of a problem as my chimney is mostly a 25' straight shot, but in the end, I chose to have the dealer install it. For $500 I just couldn't justify my time.
I had my decision narrowed down to the Regency I3100, a Harmon (Exception i think it was) and the Hampton HI300. The best dealer was the Harmon. I loved the insert but found out I'd have to pull it out every time I wanted to clean the chimney because of how the damper design it. Cross that off the list.
Next was the Hampton. It wins hands down in the looks department, but I wasn't buying a piece of furniture. The price for matte black was pretty even with the large Regency. Stats were similar, 75k v. 80k as far as heating capacity. I guess the problem I had was one was cast iron and the other steel.
Sure, I like the look of the cast iron, but from what I read here, cast iron stoves are bolted and seam sealed which MAY eventually need to be repaired. Also cast iron is much more difficult and costly to repair than steel. The dealer sold both and I quizzed him on both. He didn't sway my decision one way or another. He basically said the majority of stove problems are caused by the user, not the material or manufacturer. OK, I agree with that. For some reason though, In my mind a cast stove has a smaller room for error than a steel stove. No, I'm not basing this on "scientific evidence", I just know my cast iron chiminea broke from my error and the man above knows I make errors. LOL.
The second thing I thought about was fire box size....2.3 for the Hampton compared to 2.9 for the Regency. Again, from what I've learned here, the larger fire box will offer longer burn times. I don't mind loading wood, but my better half hates it. She almost needs a buzzer to go off for her to throw a log on when I'm not here.
So in the end, I opted for the Regency. A friend has the same model and loves it. But I'm still second guessing myself about that beautiful Hampton. I just think I'm too much of a klutz to own anything cast iron. Hope I made the right decision.....
The install is set for mid January.
BTW, my wife left the decision solely to me. We'll see how that goes to!
So for reference and those looking at posts in the future, here's what I paid:
Regency I3100, blower, stainless liner (no insulation), freight, and install....$3,650 plus tax.
Good luck and enjoy.
