I'm beginning to narrow down my search for a new stove. The current front runners are the Jotul Castine, Hearthstone Shelburne, and Woodstock Keystone.
For anyone who has one of these stoves, can you comment on how well it works? Does anything stand out as being especially nice about the stove? Or especially frustrating? I'm interested in stuff that matters day in and day out while you're using the stove, but wouldn't be apparent from a spec sheet or a photo.
For instance, is the door easy to open and close, with a comfy, sturdy handle? I've seen some models in the store (Craftsbury, Lopi Leyden) with really crummy handles that would be downright annoying to have to deal with every day.
Or, the Keystone has a side loading door that looks smaller than a typical front loader. Does this make it harder to light a fire, add new wood, or clean out old ashes?
Thanks again for all of your help!
For anyone who has one of these stoves, can you comment on how well it works? Does anything stand out as being especially nice about the stove? Or especially frustrating? I'm interested in stuff that matters day in and day out while you're using the stove, but wouldn't be apparent from a spec sheet or a photo.
For instance, is the door easy to open and close, with a comfy, sturdy handle? I've seen some models in the store (Craftsbury, Lopi Leyden) with really crummy handles that would be downright annoying to have to deal with every day.
Or, the Keystone has a side loading door that looks smaller than a typical front loader. Does this make it harder to light a fire, add new wood, or clean out old ashes?
Thanks again for all of your help!