Any Woodstove 26" or shorter - probably will replace current Vermont Castings Encore 2550

[Vermonter2011]

I have a Vermont Castings Encore that I probably will need to replace.

I keep hearing that Vermont Castings is not really a very good brand any more and that they require far more maintenance than other brands. Is that accurate? It would be easiest for me to simply replace it with another Encore or model with the same height.

If not, are there any other brands that are no taller than the Encore, which is listed at 25-3/4" high? My stovepipe goes at an almost perpendicular angle, and a taller stove would require a complex installation, requiring a mason, if I can get one to show up. I have a hearth and not a fireplace, by the way.

I have a large, long house, but because of the house's shape, it heats only three large rooms, which are about 700 square feet, and heats them well. Some heat seeps into the other rooms and probably through the flooring or through the doorways to the upstairs, but for the most part, I need to heat only those three rooms. Anything comparable to an Encore in BTU rating (approximately 48,000 BTU) would be fine.

I'm open to other brands, including less expensive brands. Does anyone have any ideas or current experience with Vermont Castings?

 

[begreen]

There are not a lot of options for low, rear-vented stoves these days. Hearthstone and Jotul are two other options. Getting another VC stove is an option. The company had a rough period, but is now well capitalized. There is a loyal group of owners here in the VC forum that can share their experiences with the new options.

What is the the height of the thimble that the stove connects to?

 

[Vermonter2011]

The height of the thimble is about 28.5" where it enters the brick wall / chimney. I can't imagine that I can go any higher than the 25-3/4" height that an Encore has.

If Vermont Castings is a reasonable option, that could be on the table. I haven't seen anything else that has clearance as low as the Encore thus far.

I read here that the Drolet stoves are a reasonable option (that's a new name to me), but they appear to be too tall. Jotuls cost a ton, even with the tax rebates, and I didn't see any that are low enough other than the Little Giant,, which seems to be too small, but I may have missed them.

 

[Vermonter2011]

As a follow on: The woodstove repairman told me that he's going to do a minor fix and tell me whether he thinks I should buy a new woodstove. Other than a minor repair on the damper, it definitely will need a new refractory, which costs $400. Not sure if it will need anything else to keep it going.

He said they have been able to set up/install some Jotuls so they have rear venting.

In doing some research, I've found the following have rear venting options - I haven't thoroughly checked them to see if they'll fit on my hearth, but I thought I'd put this (incomplete) list here in case anyone else is looking for rear venting:

Drolet - Cape Town only
Woodstock Soapstone - several models (beautiful stoves)
Jotul - some models
Hearthstone Castleton; probably some others that are larger and won't fit on my hearth
Vermont Castings - most, perhaps all

I haven't seen anything lower than $3000 thus far. Rear venting looks like a feature reserved for the more expensive models.

 

[EbS-P]

do you have a liner? I’d probably just bite the bullet and move the thimble. The choice are so much better if it were up higher.

 

[gthomas785]

I have the Encore 2040. If you are familiar with the older Encore you will not have a problem with this stove. The operating sequence can be a bit fussy for "untrained" operators but it gives a nice long and uniform heat output. I did switch to a steel catalyst after the ceramic ones kept crumbling on me.

ETA I'm on year 5 with the stove. So far my maintenance has been 1x griddle gasket, 2x door gaskets, 1x ashpan gasket, re tightening the window glass, and replacing catalysts (3x, because the ceramic ones did not last). I'm on my 2nd season with the steel cat and so far it is doing fine.

 

[stovelark]

If relocating the wall thimble to a higher spot, it would bring in a lot more choices for you, stove operation would be enhanced (upward lift before turning into thimble) too. But, if not there are a number of stoves still, mostly cast or soapstone that would fit the bill. If you like your present VC, then a new one seems like a good choice. BTW, the stoves are all expensive nowadays. Stay warm.