Vermont Castings Merrimack

[elevatorman]

Summit, From what I can tell you are a dealer or installer. Thanks for the clarification..... What are your thoughts about burn tubes?? I tried to look on though out the forum for more info but couldn't find anything. Here in NC ITs not as cold as PA or Maine for that matter do you think it is something worth while?? thanks for the feedback....

 

[elevatorman]

among all of the negative reviews with VC and this kind of stove I went for it anyways. I will update on how the install goes and pics hopefully of the finished product.

 

[allhandsworking]

First burn yet? How about some pics!

 

[weatherguy]

It sure is a nice looking stove, hope it performs as well as it looks.

 

[elevatorman]

Have not received the stove yet. I will update as soon as i get it installed and first burn under my belt. I may have some questions from some of you stove pros out there. to be continued....

 

[shayes8888]

I just joined this discussion. We ordered a VC Merrimack insert Sept 17th and it was shipped and will be installed at our place here in NW Oregon on November 9th. First one our local dealer has ordered or installed. Insert cost was $2,593, less $250 rebate from VC taken off by dealer. Got a steel surround for $229. Our install price is $1158 and includes labor ($550), venting & SS pipe ($488) and permit ($119). Labor is high because we are hillbillies, far from town; and the insert goes in our second story fireplace, requiring two GIANT guys to carry the beast. Then there is the 25' of SS liner due to our clearstory roof design. Oh, we will get a $1500 fed tax credit to offset cost. So I'm hoping to have a report on performance over the holidays.

 

[elevatorman]

sounds good, I paid the same for the stove and got the same steel surround. did you go with the gloss finish? We will have to share tips back and forth shayes8888, i think we are the only two on here that have this stove?

 

[shayes8888]

No, got the plain-Jane flat black color. Have not seen other posts on this stove. Have you burned yours yet? My sister and husband are visiting from Charlotte two days after our install. I'll post photos on this site; not of them, but of the stove! - Scott

 

[elevatorman]

ok good choice... I went with the gloss. I'm still waiting for the dealer to call me and tell me the stove has come in. It has been ten days but he said it was coming from VT not his dist. Ill keep you posted once mine is installed and burning as well. I live about 40miles outside of CLT small world I wish I lived in Oregon! maybe some day

 

[kbtoy68]

Please help -
I am trying to decide which insert to buy - the Merrimack from Vermont Castings or the HI300 from Hampton. I like the color of the timberline brown from Hampton ( Yes I'm female) but the veiwing area of the Merrimack as well as the firebox size. (2.3 cub. ft vs 3.0 cub ft for the VC) Of course I want a good product that will stand up to the test of time as well as an efficient source of heat for my home too. My local dealer who only sells Hampton/Regency is telling me there were some issues VC had with the quality of the cast iron they used - (its now made in Korea??) and the Hampton does appear to be a quality product. I have been told by others that the porcelain enamel coating on the HI300 will also chip. I can purchase the VC at a lower cost thru a friend who has a Direct Buy membership - close to $1000.00 cheaper. Any suggestions or helpful hints?? Thanks bunches : )

 

[allhandsworking]

VC has one of the last foundries in the US and has a high quality! It's not made in Korea! The Merrimack is a new product there are a few here that recently purchased it. I'm not sure if there are any reviews yet. I was one of the first to buy the Montpelier. I love it! It heats my 1800 sq ft home almost intirely. Hampton is a fine insert also. There was lots of VC bashing in the past and some of it was deserved. I think VC is making a comeback. It sounds like you can get a bargain it may be worth it! Good luck with your chose do lots of research!

 

[kbtoy68]

Thanks - i'm off today to do some more research I appreciate your help : )

 

[elevatorman]

kbtoy68, My Merrimack is being delivered on Wed. I will update you on how is heats and functions.

 

[Joseymack]

I will be looking to buy this stove and will post a reply when I get it setup

 

[shayes8888]

Our Merrimack was installed yesterday, 11/9/10, and the 480 pound beast is... stunning. Took the two installers, plus myself, to wheel it up the back yard route to the second story. Installers here from 10:30 until 2:30. Breaking out the old flue damper took an hour. But the All Fuel installer (Eirk in the photo) said it was the easiest stove to 'put back together', a job needed to get the flue attached.

We had our first light break-in burn starting at 3pm, and the house temp went from 67 to 70 with only 3 splits of dry Douglas fir. 44 outside and rainy. The stove is handsome, double doors open wide, firebox huge, automatic thermostat a great idea. It ran until 7:30pm as the fire died out, but the cast iron gave off heat.

After shoveling tons of firewood into the open fireplace for 10 years, this insert will definately be an improvement.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Our Merrimack was installed yesterday, 11/9/10, and the 480 pound beast is... stunning. Took the two installers, plus myself, to wheel it up the back yard route to the second story. Installers here from 10:30 until 2:30. Breaking out the old flue damper took an hour. But the All Fuel installer (Eirk in the photo) said it was the easiest stove to 'put back together', a job needed to get the flue attached.

We had our first light break-in burn starting at 3pm, and the house temp went from 67 to 70 with only 3 splits of dry Douglas fir. 44 outside and rainy. The stove is handsome, double doors open wide, firebox huge, automatic thermostat a great idea. It ran until 7:30pm as the fire died out, but the cast iron gave off heat.

After shoveling tons of firewood into the open fireplace for 10 years, this insert will definately be an improvement.

That's a nice looking insert. I hope VC is over the hump and headed in the right direction finally, because they have really nice looking stoves. I prefer the look of their stoves over most others.

 

[shayes8888]

Our installer, who has been in the business 19 years, says most VC issues he dealt with were gas fired units. Something to do with the foundry and fast heat from gas. The VC foundary in Vermont is supposed to be state of the art; our Merrimack came with a card "Made with Pride in Vermont" and quality controlled by a guy who actually signed his name: Brun Farnsworth.

 

[elevatorman]

My Merrimack is being installed as I type. same here though, Im going to help drag that beast of a stove in. They just broke the damper plate out after about an hour. Awesome pics shay..

 

[shayes8888]

Installer told us to follow break-in process of small burns. Important to "cure" the cast iron. We are waiting for the county inspector to arrive to approve the install. Then will do a second burn.

 

[Joseymack]

Got this stove on order.... Just a comment and a question,,

I keep hearing about VC being of less quality than the past. I had heard this comment 5 or 6 years ago when I purchased the VC Dutchwest Non-Cat stove.... I still have this stove and it has never ever given me a problem at all. The stove works and looks great to this day. Heated a 1500 sq/ft home exclusively with this stove and all the people told me it was gonna be junk. I found this to be the exact reason i am going to give the Merrimack a try. it is a great looking stove and I now have a new home to heat....

Question now.... What is the Automatic Thermostat thing mentioned above? is this the stove damper unit when starting a fire or trying to revive a fire?

joseymack

 

[shayes8888]

Quality of ours appears top notch. The fan automatically comes on when the unit reaches a certain operating temperature. It shuts off when the fire is off and the box cools down. You can adjust the fan speed from low to high with a dial in the bottom left side of the unit. The damper has an automatic open valve when the unit is first being fired up. When the unit is hot, it closes to the damper setting you want. Oh, handle for the damper comes off and is used to open the door. Keeps the handle out of the view of the fire; and it stays much cooler. Good design idea.

 

[summit]

Summit, From what I can tell you are a dealer or installer. Thanks for the clarification..... What are your thoughts about burn tubes?? I tried to look on though out the forum for more info but couldn't find anything. Here in NC ITs not as cold as PA or Maine for that matter do you think it is something worth while?? thanks for the feedback....

I like the burn tube type stoves the best... they are durable, easy to operate, and pretty trouble free. They are best for a wide range of burning: while you can eeek a little longer burn outta some cat stoves or downdraft types, the latter require more parts and maint.

 

[summit]

Please help -
I am trying to decide which insert to buy - the Merrimack from Vermont Castings or the HI300 from Hampton. I like the color of the timberline brown from Hampton ( Yes I'm female) but the veiwing area of the Merrimack as well as the firebox size. (2.3 cub. ft vs 3.0 cub ft for the VC) Of course I want a good product that will stand up to the test of time as well as an efficient source of heat for my home too. My local dealer who only sells Hampton/Regency is telling me there were some issues VC had with the quality of the cast iron they used - (its now made in Korea??) and the Hampton does appear to be a quality product. I have been told by others that the porcelain enamel coating on the HI300 will also chip. I can purchase the VC at a lower cost thru a friend who has a Direct Buy membership - close to $1000.00 cheaper. Any suggestions or helpful hints?? Thanks bunches : )

the Korea thing is bogus: VC still makes its own cast iron in VT, and they are very high quality.. Infact they also produce cast Iron for Harman and some Jotul units, now.

 

[shayes8888]

We have been burning the Merrimack for a week now. Love the auto fan. The unit takes at least an hour to come to temperature, but a light load burns 3 hours and the fan stays on 2 more. Have been building a fire in the am, when the upstairs great room is 65. 72 in 3 hours. No fire again until 5 or 6pm. Temp only in mid 50s with no sun (typical Oregon weather).

Only issue is trying to clean the glass. Our wood is 2 year old Douglas-fir, which casts the haze on the glass and it does not wipe off with water/soap. Have not tried a damp rag dipped in ash yet. Any home remedies?

 

[elevatorman]

Had the some hazed glass on my as well shayes, Try the newspaper and ash thing it works wonders!! I followed up by wiping with a rag.