Heating With Wood

Buying A Used Wood Stove, Cast Iron Or Heavy Gage Steel

Buying a used wood stove can be a great way to get the best stove for you money, but it requires some knowledge and understanding. If you just go by price, or what the seller tells you, it is setting you up for a possible disappointment.

Once you know your price range, your options are more clearly defined. You can spend anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, so it is important to know what you are looking for. Price is not the only issue, but is obviously important.

You must determine what you want the stove for. A hunting camp stove is one matter, a fireplace wood stove is another, and heating your new home is yet another. You may be looking for an outdoor wood stove, or a pellet stove insert, all require special knowledge.

Finding the right size stove is critical to having a successful heating experience. If your Jotul cast iron wood stove heats you out of the house, you are not going to be happy. On the other hand, you may buy a used Fisher wood stove that is just too small for you needs, you will not be happy with this either.

Should you buy a cast iron or heavy gage steel stove? This depends entirely on your personal preference and budget. Most people consider cast iron superior to steel, but steel works well in many stoves.

Cast iron tends to take longer to heat up, and longer to cool off. Steel heats up very quickly and will take the chill off a room faster than cast iron. Cast iron generally lasts longer and is not likely to warp, while the heavy gage steel is likely to discolor and warp. The heavier the stove, the better it is, somewhat, but not necessarily.

Some cast iron makers include Jotul, Vermont Castings, Morso, Hampton, and The Woodstock Soapstone Company. All of these stoves are beautiful and highly efficient.

High quality steel stove makers include Lopi, Vogelzang, Enviro, and Ashley. Many of these stoves are excellent buys and are made to high quality standards to last for many years.

A very good way to prepare and educate yourself is to visit a showroom and check out the different models. You can also do this online, but there is no substitute for actually touching and seeing one. Ask a lot of questions from knowledgeable salesmen and friends. The reputation of a stove means a lot, especially if it has been in production for many years. The European stoves have stood the test of many generations, plus they have very strict emission guidelines to adhere to.

The last used cast iron stove I bought was a Jotul Black Bear. I found it in the local Bargain News and paid $850. The receipt showed the owner had paid much more, and only used it for two seasons. I love this thing and have no complaints whatsoever.

You can do the same thing with wood stove or fireplace accessories, just educate yourself and check out the ads. Used chainsaws, chains, firewood, sheds and anything else associated with wood heat are usually available with a little effort.