Stove that will last without replacement parts?

[kennis.koldewyn]

I currently own a Vermont Castings Encore Non-Catalytic 1450 wood stove that I've been using for three years. It's a great stove that has served me well, but I'm not satisfied with how it's holding up. Granted, the first year it was regularly over-fired, because my house had not yet been properly insulated, but since then, I've been very careful with it. The biggest trouble is that its refractory brick parts are crumbling.

Don't get me wrong--I understand that any stove will require proper care and maintenance, but for various reasons, I'm looking for a wood stove that (assuming it is well cared for) will last for a very long time (20+ years) without requiring any replacement parts at all (as far as possible). The Encore 1450 doesn't meet this requirement because it's got a huge number of parts that require regular replacement. I spoke with a Vermont Castings technician who told me that moving gaskets will last 1 to 2 years, stationary gaskets will last 2 to 6 years, and "operating parts" (such as the refractory brick) will last 1 to 10 years, depending on the part. I was amazed to discover that the Encore 1450 contains about 80 feet of gaskets!

Are there any stoves out there that burn relatively cleanly and won't require a regular infusion of replacement parts (or for which the only necessary replacement parts will be a limited amount of gaskets)?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

- Kennis

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Firebricks are $1.50 each so I wouldn't worry about them going every 10 years or so. Look into steel stoves. My Century only had 2 gaskets... One around the door and one around the glass. Everything else was steel or brick.

VC has had its issues, but the regular overfiring did you in for maintenance.



Matt

 

[cycloxer]

Jotul Castine.

 

[BrotherBart]

Even the heavy plate steel pre-EPA tank I heated with for 21 years had to have a new baffle every few years. The guys at the local iron works kept a sketch of it on file for me. Because it would get so warped they couldn't get accurate measurements. And I had to put a floor jack in the stove to bend it enough to get it back out of the brackets.

 

[webbie]

Some steel stoves may require less care over the long run.
In terms of cast stoves, many Jotuls have had this life span but chances are you will need some parts....not as many as a complicated VC, though. VCs have a lot of parts and features and that can mean more to replace.
Woodstock (one of our sponsors) stoves tend to last for decades...and possibly generations.
In steel stoves, look for a good track record from the company - Lopi and Avalon have been around a long time - the big englanders have a great price/performance value, etc. etc.

No matter what, some parts will be needed, but there is a big difference between $15 a year and $150 a year.

 

[Hanko]

Jotul Castine.

why a Jotul Castine?

 

[argus66]

any jotul, friend of mine has oslo thats 8 yrs old no new parts or fixes at all.

 

[cycloxer]

...because Jotul makes simple cast iron stoves w/ a small part count. no exposed firebrick in the Castine = you have to be a real moron to damage this stove. all you'll have to replace are gaskets and glass (if you are moronic & smash it). same for F3CB and smaller stoves. Oslo & larger have some exposed firebrick, but still quite bomber.