Didn't penelope just bake a cake without trying? Woodstock rates the PH stove for 16 hours burntime as I recall. That's great if you are willing to settle for such a short burntime despite such a large load of fuel but some of us would rather the dang thing just burn all day and then 6 hours into the next.
If you can't get 24 hour burns, 12 hour cycles are second best. It makes burning an easy routine.
If you want lots of heat you can get all 3 cubic feet of wood to burn up in a short time period like 10 hours
What about creosote build-up with the cats? From what I read, as long as they are operated properly, it shouldn't be an issue? Are there cons? All I can come up with is that they are a little trickier to burn if you try to run? Why aren't all of the big stove mfg's selling a cat or cat hybrid?
After another week of searching, I've narrowed it down to the BK Princess, Buck 81, and Quadra-Fire Step Top 4300. I can get the 81 for about $2100, the 4300 for around $2550, and the BK for $3100. Price-wise, the 81 wins. We've gone to several dealers that sell the 4300, and they all had excellent things to say about it. Based on the reviews on this site, the BK is the way to go.
I have 2 more questions, and they go pretty much hand in hand.
1. Why are all (and when I say all, I mean 5-6) of my local dealers anti-cat? Even the ones that sell them didn't have much good to say. I know it's the end of the season, and most of them are pushing the models they have in stock so they can move them to make room for the grills and hot tubs they have coming in. It just seems odd that, even the places that sell the QF & BK, and know we are interested in both, have recommended the lower priced QF. What gives?
2. How do I convince my boyfriend to get the BK? I've gone through just about every thread on this site that covers the BK's and have read him rave review after rave review. The few negatives I've come across were from people that have never actually owned a BK. He puts a lot more stock into what the dealers are telling him than "some strangers on the internet" and doesn't think the BK is worth an extra $1000. Obviously, I'm the exact opposite, and put way more stock into people that actually own the stove and use it every day than a salesperson at a dealer whose #1 goal is to profit.
$3100 for a BK Princess is pretty high! depends on the options you want of course. I paid $2300 for my BK Chinook last fall, and the princess was less.
I am in western Canada ... But I believe the prices are similar in the western U.S.
If that's what you want, have you looked into buying it from a West Coast dealer and having it shipped? Shipping a Woodstock PH the other direction sure costs a lot less than the difference in prices you are being quoted.Eastern part of the US here (Ohio). If the Princess was $2300 we'd buy that one in a heartbeat. Both local dealers gave us the exact same quote ($3133) for the Ultra model.
If that's what you want, have you looked into buying it from a West Coast dealer and having it shipped? Shipping a Woodstock PH the other direction sure costs a lot less than the difference in prices you are being quoted.
When dealing with these anti-cat dealers the most important thing is to consider that they are trying to make a profit. The margin is higher on the non-cat brands. You've only got one or two brands that make cat stoves and they are sold at every little hardware store willing to peddle them so the profit margin is smaller. Then you have the problem of experience. Not many dealers or even people have used a modern cat stove to know the benefits. Finally, the non-cat is more forgiving of a novice burner. You can burn garbage in the non-cat and not make a warranty claim.
Ask the dealer why. Why do you push me away from cats? What is the actual problem? The dealer's inexperience and bias towards profit will show.
Lastly, the BK and the buck are pretty ugly. Especially at first and when compared to the non-cat alternatives. The ultra is the best looking princess and the bold look has grown on me but it is a factor with the offerings currently available.
How do I convince my boyfriend to get the BK? I've gone through just about every thread on this site that covers the BK's and have read him rave review after rave review. The few negatives I've come across were from people that have never actually owned a BK. He puts a lot more stock into what the dealers are telling him than "some strangers on the internet" and doesn't think the BK is worth an extra $1000. Obviously, I'm the exact opposite, and put way more stock into people that actually own the stove and use it every day than a salesperson at a dealer whose #1 goal is to profit.
How many sf are you heating with your BK? Were there any other cat brands/models that you considered? There is a store about an hour from me that carries the BK's - I may make a trip up there tomorrow to check them out.
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