What is your opinion of the lastest versions of the Dutchwest Cat stoves? I know they are made by VC and have read mixed reviews of the older ones, but what about the stove and it's design today?
I like that they are cast iron, have a cat, glass window, offer models with large capacity, front/side load, top or rear stove pipe set-up and ash pan - all in my opinion are good features. They are a pretty nice looking stove from their website.
How do they differ from the VC Defiant, etc., type offerings? Do they have refactory material parts that are subject to cracking and costly repair? Is the cat replacement an expensive item? Is the cat hard to service/clean/replace? Does the glass stay clean when burning via a decent airwash system? Is this a lifetime stove or can I expect to replace it or rebuild it after 10 years of hard burning?
They appear to be a convection vs radiant stove. Is a blower required? There must be some radiant heat output, how does it feel standing beside one?
The extra large model uses an 8 inch flue. Anyone hooked one up to a 6 inch?
I notice in their manual, there are two air controls, one for the firebox (primary) and one for the cat. How does that work - simple or a pain in the buttox?
Finally, what kind of prices do these things cost new?
Thanks!
Bill
I like that they are cast iron, have a cat, glass window, offer models with large capacity, front/side load, top or rear stove pipe set-up and ash pan - all in my opinion are good features. They are a pretty nice looking stove from their website.
How do they differ from the VC Defiant, etc., type offerings? Do they have refactory material parts that are subject to cracking and costly repair? Is the cat replacement an expensive item? Is the cat hard to service/clean/replace? Does the glass stay clean when burning via a decent airwash system? Is this a lifetime stove or can I expect to replace it or rebuild it after 10 years of hard burning?
They appear to be a convection vs radiant stove. Is a blower required? There must be some radiant heat output, how does it feel standing beside one?
The extra large model uses an 8 inch flue. Anyone hooked one up to a 6 inch?
I notice in their manual, there are two air controls, one for the firebox (primary) and one for the cat. How does that work - simple or a pain in the buttox?
Finally, what kind of prices do these things cost new?
Thanks!
Bill