US Stove/Logwood Cast Iron

[bholler]

I assume most of the replied members never owned or used an US Stove 900 and just reflected their own opinions like cars they never drive. As a starter, I bought an US Stove 900 in early 2021 from Home Depot. It is labeled EPA certified and legally sold. I have a 2000+sf two-story home and was originally looking for a stove fitting in my existing fireplace. Turned out most of the wood burning stoves wouldn't fit or they just cost too much in the thousands for a 2000 sf home.

The only one that fit and reasonably priced is the US Stove 900. It is being sold in many places, indicating that they are quite popular. After bring it home, the set-up was straight-forward and the cast iron assembly was quite sturdy. Nonetheless, it was heavy to move around. Fitting the stove pipe was the most critical part in setting up a wood burning stove. And it turned out the more expensive parts were the pipes and adapters.

This is my first winter season I will use wood stove instead of electric radiant heater. So for a few more weeks I learned how to start the fire and control the draft to keep the fire going. Many above talked about air control like automatic window openers in modern cars. I believe most of them don't know what they are talking about. I have no problem with "hand crank" windows in a car. So this traditional cast iron stove has no problem keeping the fire going and smoke drafting up the stove pipe and chimney if the air drafting is controlled via the amount of door opening. I never had issue with smoke since the air circulation will suck smoke up the chimney. The stove keeps the logs burning and heating out with a heat activated fan. This works like a charm and eventually the whole house is nice and comfortable. To me those large size stoves are probably over-rated (and over-priced).

Many fancied a push button wood burning stove like a 8 year old kid in a tree house. No, not knowing how to use a wood burning stove does not mean needing to bad mouth about it if you haven't used one.

No way will I spend $6000 just to have an stove-chimney installer selling me their marked up insert and pipes, besides the already high labor cost. Those stove contractors, just like a car mechanic, or most of the contractors, are there to make money for button pushers like many here. Air controls and dampers, LOL. I spent $400 for the stove itself and then about $200 total for the pipes, fans, and an ash vacuum. Money worth spent and saved from electricity heater. That said, I don't buy cords of firewood like the button pushers. I have timber ranch with unlimited firewood. And did I mention I also have a chainsaw to cut my own woods in the national forests with permit?

What other stoves have you used?

What pushbutton stoves are you referring to.

But you are right most of us commenting have not owned or really run one of these stoves. But as a pro I have seen many. And many of them had cracked sides the customers always complained of lack of control. I am glad you like it and I hope you installed it properly so it is as safe as it can be. But from my experience it is without question the worst stove on the market now.

 

[john26]

I assume most of the replied members never owned or used an US Stove 900 and just reflected their own opinions like cars they never drive. As a starter, I bought an US Stove 900 in early 2021 from Home Depot. It is labeled EPA certified and legally sold. I have a 2000+sf two-story home and was originally looking for a stove fitting in my existing fireplace. Turned out most of the wood burning stoves wouldn't fit or they just cost too much in the thousands for a 2000 sf home.

You are correct I have never owned an US stove 900 and there is a very good reason for that. Years ago I sold and delivered the pre epa version of this stove marketed under the Vogelzang name. I did not install any of these stoves but I exchanged and refunded money on numerous stoves. It got so bad we would not send a stove out in a crate they all had to be inspected before they left the store. We would throw them in the dumpster and receive credit from you supplier. Even the stoves that made it through our inspection would sometimes get returned because the refractory cement that was covering the cracks would fall off. Despite this I did by a US stove product last year an Ashley AF700. I believe the steel stoves made by US stove are better or at least safer than the cast iron stove, but still inferior to many name brand stoves. My Ashley furnace seems to be a copy of PSE Caddy may even be made by PSE for Ashley is made with thinner metal than any of my inserts and considerably thinner than my woodchuck furnace.

 

[IRJ]

What other stoves have you used?

What pushbutton stoves are you referring to.

But you are right most of us commenting have not owned or really run one of these stoves. But as a pro I have seen many. And many of them had cracked sides the customers always complained of lack of control. I am glad you like it and I hope you installed it properly so it is as safe as it can be. But from my experience it is without question the worst stove on the market now.

US Stove 900 and I recommend it. I am sure the company has taken feedback and kept on improving because it's still selling well despite of operator issues. From a consumer point of view with DIY capability, this cast iron stove appears tough yet simple. It's like owning a Dodge Truck with mechanical know hows vs. hands-off Lexus SUV push button types. The Dodge truck will do more versatile work with higher mileages than Lexus beeper mode. Consider push button types don't even know how to unlock car doors without a push button fob.

Was more disappointed that many chimney pros would install only if I bought their inserts or stoves. They are becoming a used car salesman in my opinion. One of them even try to sell me gas stove with remote control! Now that's push button too much to bear with salt added to injury. I am used to salesman of all trades selling with scaring tactics - tire salesman will say "this tire will blow up in less than 100 miles if you don't buy new ones", or auto mechanic will say "this car will stall within a week if you don't do my 100-pt inspection", or a doctor will say "you will die if you don't take these pills and come back for more check-ups". The last one was "you will burn your house if you don't use my stove with my pipes and labor".

Time to roll up sleeves, learn how things work and make it work. If you don't let'er rip yourself, the contractors will rip you.

I have a haunch that many members here are not consumers but those work with chimney for money trying to act as salesmen by offering not genuine advice but commercializing.

Do you think $6000 for a stove system is moral?

 

[IRJ]

You are correct I have never owned an US stove 900 and there is a very good reason for that. Years ago I sold and delivered the pre epa version of this stove marketed under the Vogelzang name. I did not install any of these stoves but I exchanged and refunded money on numerous stoves. It got so bad we would not send a stove out in a crate they all had to be inspected before they left the store. We would throw them in the dumpster and receive credit from you supplier. Even the stoves that made it through our inspection would sometimes get returned because the refractory cement that was covering the cracks would fall off. Despite this I did by a US stove product last year an Ashley AF700. I believe the steel stoves made by US stove are better or at least safer than the cast iron stove, but still inferior to many name brand stoves. My Ashley furnace seems to be a copy of PSE Caddy may even be made by PSE for Ashley is made with thinner metal than any of my inserts and considerably thinner than my woodchuck furnace.

Well then I consider myself lucky. US Stove Co complied and made their stoves better foolproof. That's the way good company works. Anyone not knowing what they are doing will manage to break any stove by over-firing. I believe a pro race driver in a Ford Escort will out race a soccer mom in Porsche. Branding here is irrelevant, but a basic knowledge of operating a stove is.

Until this US Stove 900 cast-iron cracks, then I am happy with it with many uses that keeps the house warm and my logs burning.

 

[bholler]

US Stove 900 and I recommend it. I am sure the company has taken feedback and kept on improving because it's still selling well despite of operator issues. From a consumer point of view with DIY capability, this cast iron stove appears tough yet simple. It's like owning a Dodge Truck with mechanical know hows vs. hands-off Lexus SUV push button types. The Dodge truck will do more versatile work with higher mileages than Lexus beeper mode. Consider push button types don't even know how to unlock car doors without a push button fob.

Was more disappointed that many chimney pros would install only if I bought their inserts or stoves. They are becoming a used car salesman in my opinion. One of them even try to sell me gas stove with remote control! Now that's push button too much to bear with salt added to injury. I am used to salesman of all trades selling with scaring tactics - tire salesman will say "this tire will blow up in less than 100 miles if you don't buy new ones", or auto mechanic will say "this car will stall within a week if you don't do my 100-pt inspection", or a doctor will say "you will die if you don't take these pills and come back for more check-ups". The last one was "you will burn your house if you don't use my stove with my pipes and labor".

Time to roll up sleeves, learn how things work and make it work. If you don't let'er rip yourself, the contractors will rip you.

I have a haunch that many members here are not consumers but those work with chimney for money trying to act as salesmen by offering not genuine advice but commercializing.

Do you think $6000 for a stove system is moral?

Again what pushbutton stoves were you talking about? What other stoves do you have experience with to compare to? How long have you used this stove?

US stove imports cheap Chinese stoves that for the most part are bad copies of other stoves that actually put the money into research and development.

I will gladly install just about any stove a customer asks me to. Not one of those.

So yes I am a chimney professional. One of the few on this site. I suggest doing some reading here so you understand a bit more about what actually makes for a good woodstove.

 

[bholler]

Until this US Stove 900 cast-iron cracks, then I am happy with it

You won't be waiting long

 

[kennyp2339]

@IRJ glad your happy with your stove, just inspect it to make sure the cast iron doesn't develop any cracks. You may also want to take the sheet metal screws out that hold the secondary reburn tubes in and replace them with stainless steel tappers, eventually the sheet metal ones will sheer and its a pia to re-tap the holes, removal is done to remove the sensitive (cheap) baffle plate during chimney cleanings.
Btw, what kind of chimney are you using, just curious to the length and type, if its a shorter run then the single rate stove should do you fne as opposed to people with runs 20ft and or more.
(broken link removed to https://www.usstove.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/US1269E-Owners-Manual.pdf)

 

[bholler]

@IRJ glad your happy with your stove, just inspect it to make sure the cast iron doesn't develop any cracks. You may also want to take the sheet metal screws out that hold the secondary reburn tubes in and replace them with stainless steel tappers, eventually the sheet metal ones will sheer and its a pia to re-tap the holes, removal is done to remove the sensitive (cheap) baffle plate during chimney cleanings.
Btw, what kind of chimney are you using, just curious to the length and type, if its a shorter run then the single rate stove should do you fne as opposed to people with runs 20ft and or more.
(broken link removed to https://www.usstove.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/US1269E-Owners-Manual.pdf)

I have never seen manuals from other stove companies warn not to operate the stove unattended.

 

[begreen]

Do you think $6000 for a stove system is moral?

Not a question of morals unless the question is about installing an unsafe system.

 

[bholler]

Not a question of morals unless the question is about installing an unsafe system.

I really can't think of many stoves that cost $6000

 

[begreen]

I really can't think of many stoves that cost $6000

I was thinking of the system installation costs. It's not that hard if the chimney setup costs $3000, connector + hearth costs $500 and the stove costs $2500.

 

[bholler]

I was thinking of the system installation costs. It's not that hard if the chimney setup costs $3000, connector + hearth costs $500 and the stove costs $2500.

Yes absolutely with install etc

 

[john26]

I have a haunch that many members here are not consumers but those work with chimney for money trying to act as salesmen by offering not genuine advice but commercializing.

I am not a professional in the stove/fireplace or chimney field how ever I was a salesman for a store that carried US Stove, I wouldn't say we were a dealer and we did not install them, but sold everything for DIY installs. I am no longer in that profession just a stove enthusiast and user. I have installed all my own stoves and inserts I have used much advice from many other consumers and professionals here.

Well then I consider myself lucky. US Stove Co complied and made their stoves better foolproof. That's the way good company works. Anyone not knowing what they are doing will manage to break any stove by over-firing. I believe a pro race driver in a Ford Escort will out race a soccer mom in Porsche. Branding here is irrelevant, but a basic knowledge of operating a stove is.

Until this US Stove 900 cast-iron cracks, then I am happy with it with many uses that keeps the house warm and my logs burning.

I have recently looked at the Logwwood stove the quality has not seemed to change any since I sold them its the same rough crude castings. The only change I seen is the adaptation of a primitive secondary burn system and the change to single burn rate. I suspect these changes were made to meet US EPA requirements so they could be sold in the United States.
A few major problem I see in the manual are "NEVER OPERATE THIS PRODUCT UNATTENEDED" and " THIS HEATER SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A PRIMARY SOURCE OF HEAT." "THIS SINGLE BURN RATE WOOD HEATER IS NOT APPROVED FOR USE WITH A FLUE DAMPER. but before that the manual sates "If the chimney drafts excessively, purchase and use a Barometric Draft Regulator (DR6 available from factory)."
I understand not using a manual damper on an epa stove to slow burn rate even though I don't agree with it if you have excessive draft but talk about up selling use OUR AUTOMATIC BAROMETERIC DAMPER that will reduce draft, will slow burn rate and will cool chimney gasses, and will lead to build up of creosote. A barometric should not be used on a wood burning device, I know a they work and will burn clean on certain hi efficiency gasification units but no what we have here.
Talk about an automatic stove for a "Button Pusher" build fire top down method, close door, do not cut back air control, why because we don't have one, now don't leave stove, don't look at fire, why no glass, wait for wood to burn down and start over.

 

[SpaceBus]

I assume most of the replied members never owned or used an US Stove 900 and just reflected their own opinions like cars they never drive. As a starter, I bought an US Stove 900 in early 2021 from Home Depot. It is labeled EPA certified and legally sold. I have a 2000+sf two-story home and was originally looking for a stove fitting in my existing fireplace. Turned out most of the wood burning stoves wouldn't fit or they just cost too much in the thousands for a 2000 sf home.

The only one that fit and reasonably priced is the US Stove 900. It is being sold in many places, indicating that they are quite popular. After bring it home, the set-up was straight-forward and the cast iron assembly was quite sturdy. Nonetheless, it was heavy to move around. Fitting the stove pipe was the most critical part in setting up a wood burning stove. And it turned out the more expensive parts were the pipes and adapters.

This is my first winter season I will use wood stove instead of electric radiant heater. So for a few more weeks I learned how to start the fire and control the draft to keep the fire going. Many above talked about air control like automatic window openers in modern cars. I believe most of them don't know what they are talking about. I have no problem with "hand crank" windows in a car. So this traditional cast iron stove has no problem keeping the fire going and smoke drafting up the stove pipe and chimney if the air drafting is controlled via the amount of door opening. I never had issue with smoke since the air circulation will suck smoke up the chimney. The stove keeps the logs burning and heating out with a heat activated fan. This works like a charm and eventually the whole house is nice and comfortable. To me those large size stoves are probably over-rated (and over-priced).

Many fancied a push button wood burning stove like a 8 year old kid in a tree house. No, not knowing how to use a wood burning stove does not mean needing to bad mouth about it if you haven't used one.

No way will I spend $6000 just to have an stove-chimney installer selling me their marked up insert and pipes, besides the already high labor cost. Those stove contractors, just like a car mechanic, or most of the contractors, are there to make money for button pushers like many here. Air controls and dampers, LOL. I spent $400 for the stove itself and then about $200 total for the pipes, fans, and an ash vacuum. Money worth spent and saved from electricity heater. That said, I don't buy cords of firewood like the button pushers. I have timber ranch with unlimited firewood. And did I mention I also have a chainsaw to cut my own woods in the national forests with permit?

How many stoves have you burned prior to this one? You say "just reflected their own opinions like cars they never drive" as if you are not doing the same.

A moped is a form of transportation, just like your US 900 is a wood stove, but I don't want to commute on a moped every day. If it works for you, that's fine, but to say us "button pushers" with dampers on our stoves are some how inferior to you is pretty funny.

Pretty much everyone that burns wood has a chainsaw, I have three.

I take it English isn't your first language.


You compared Dodge and Lexus in another post, but this US 900 is actually made in China and US Stove is actually a Chinese company. Lexus cars are also generally regarded and rated as being some of the most reliable cars, but Dodge is frequently not. I actually do own a Dodge truck mind you, but I also own my "push button" wood stoves.

 

[IRJ]

Again what pushbutton stoves were you talking about? What other stoves do you have experience with to compare to? How long have you used this stove?

US stove imports cheap Chinese stoves that for the most part are bad copies of other stoves that actually put the money into research and development.

I will gladly install just about any stove a customer asks me to. Not one of those.

So yes I am a chimney professional. One of the few on this site. I suggest doing some reading here so you understand a bit more about what actually makes for a good woodstove.

You will be impressed that you could be misled by the makers claiming their products to be US made. If you can prove that they are 100% US then I will be impressed. Even the contents on internet are 95% untrue. So reading them are just for reference and I have no obligation to believe what you have to say, too.

I do own both Lexus and Dodge (Jeep). I have heard more beeps from Lexus than the Jeep, which has more than 200,000 miles than that button pusher. However, I made sure I bought a Lexus that has VIN started with J, and the Jeep started with 4.

Many contractors also told that they will not install any wood stove not made in the US - all because they want to sell their marked up stoves that are most likely imported as well, or even OEM'ed under different brand.

 

[IRJ]

You compared Dodge and Lexus in another post, but this US 900 is actually made in China and US Stove is actually a Chinese company. Lexus cars are also generally regarded and rated as being some of the most reliable cars, but Dodge is frequently not. I actually do own a Dodge truck mind you, but I also own my "push button" wood stoves.

Prove what you had to say.

 

[bholler]

You will be impressed that you could be misled by the makers claiming their products to be US made. If you can prove that they are 100% US then I will be impressed. Even the contents on internet are 95% untrue. So reading them are just for reference and I have no obligation to believe what you have to say, too.

I do own both Lexus and Dodge (Jeep). I have heard more beeps from Lexus than the Jeep, which has more than 200,000 miles than that button pusher. However, I made sure I bought a Lexus that has VIN started with J, and the Jeep started with 4.

Many contractors also told that they will not install any wood stove not made in the US - all because they want to sell their marked up stoves that are most likely imported as well, or even OEM'ed under different brand.

I absolutely will not say stoves are 100% made in the USA. Some buy their cast legs from over seas. Most with blower use imported blowers. But most of the stoves here are made at least in north America. (Many are Canadian) some European stuff very few are imported from china.

Me refusing to install stoves like yours has nothing at all to do with their country of origin. I refuse to install something I don't feel is safe.

 

[bholler]

Prove what you had to say.

What push bottom stoves are you referring to? What other stoves have you used to compare to this one?

Did you say you control the air by opening and closing the door???

 

[SpaceBus]

Prove what you had to say.

Prove what?

 

[stoveliker]

I think this debate is somewhat useless. Or trolling. It does not really help folks reading it - people read here to learn about reliability. While there could be correlations w/ mfg location, in the end that does not matter if a stove is known to be "good" or "bad".

 

[john26]

Many contractors also told that they will not install any wood stove not made in the US - all because they want to sell their marked up stoves that are most likely imported as well, or even OEM'ed under different brand.

I worked for several electrical contractors none would install any materials furnished by the customer. It had nothing to do with country of origin and more with accountability we knew we were installing quality equipment approved by engineers, architects and the authority having jurisdiction. Most auto repair shops will not install customer supplied parts this because they don't want to warranty a substandard part and eat the install cost also the accountability if there is an accident and its not a DOT part. I would Imagine a lot of stove shops are the same way. If you want a US stove installed find a dealer or install yourself. I am installing my Ashley AF700 made by US stove myself.

 

[begreen]

I think this debate is somewhat useless. Or trolling. It does not really help folks reading it - people read here to learn about reliability. While there could be correlations w/ mfg location, in the end that does not matter if a stove is known to be "good" or "bad".

And on that note, this one has run off the tracks.


3 yr old thread being put to rest.