Congrats man!! That is a great price for a very good stove. I may have missed it, but what's your plan for the Ashley? Retirement, workshop, or ?
I have a saying that comes into play when purchasing things: "the bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten". That mantra rarely fails, but in the case of my current stove, it did, big time. It would be one thing if the stoves that you and I purchased were low-priced no-name clunkers but they were not, they carried premium pricing and produced sub-par results. Drolet and Englander price their products fairly and in my opinion, based on reviews, Drolet and Englander punch above their weight. I could rail until the cows come home about the company that made my current stove but it doesn't matter as at this point, as my wife and I are picking colors and designs on an Ideal. Hindsight being 20/20, if the original stove was a Drolet Baltic, Woodstock probably wouldn't be getting an order from me. Best of luck with you new Drolet. It sounds like "so far, so good".
Dave, if you get some more real winter temps, I predict you will be very happy. Otherwise, you will be just plain happy. But then, you'll wonder...... The 30 was gonna be the stove I was gonna get for *that* place, until I found the Spectum. That thing turns out to be perfect, after the furnace helps bring the place up to temp. From what I have seen, people in Michigan are clueless when it comes to wood stoves. If you change your mind in a year or two, you'll make out okay. The next couple of weeks are gonna drag.
I don't think you are nuts at all. After reading your post about the price on the 30 I almost posted go for it Dave but I hate to voice my opinion when it comes to someone else. I thought about that a few times today through out the day. I think for the positive things that have been said about the 30's you made a good move and you can keep some cash in your pocket over some other choices. If you enjoy your new stove half as much as I have mine you'll be a happy man.
The stove is still showing as "being processed". As I said earlier, the funds are on hold at the C.U., so I'm still hopeful it'll go through.
Well, several scenarios present themselves. I could put it in the shop, and sell the HE furnace that's out there, or I could sell it to my sis-in-law (if she's interested), who is due to move up here in a couple years....she could install in her new addition, or I could put it on CL, or I could offer it here to someone who may need a stove on the cheap.
I got started on the 3 year plan back in 2007. Took me about 2-3 years to get there, but the wood is DRY. Last time I checked a fresh split of Oak, it was 14%. Even the Ashley likes dry wood. Next winter's wood has been c/s/s since 2011. You don't remember my stacks? Hmmm. I'll drag out some pics, if you like.
Your askin Papa if his wood is dry?? That's blasphemous... Congrats on the 30-NC Dave. It's a heck of a stove that heats like monster, or a mouse. Depends on how you load it.
Aww, golly gee you guys. Anyway, does anybody know how long it generally takes HD to finish "processing" an order? I'll check in the morning.
Well congrats Dave. I think you'll enjoy it, once you figure out that sweet spot for your setup. Its a solid stove and you got a excellent price.
I know of guys around my area still using the older designed ashleys as they dont want to worry all the time about the moisture content of their wood. (The ashleys that are like a square box shroud with a blower). My brother-in-law bought two a couple years back at a local Rural King. So I thought I would throw that in. Sorry PapaDave
An Ashley, is not an Ashley, is not an Ashley. I think I know the ones you're referring to, as I see them for sale all the time around here. Plenty of knockoffs "made by" Sears, Monkey Wards, and a few others. They look like a metal cabinet. Kind of what they are, wrapped around a firebox. No comparison to burning dry wood and attempting to burn water. I learned very quickly that water doesn't burn, so began my quest for dry wood. Bothers me when folks won't/don't see things they don't want to see (referring to a lot of things, but dry firewood being the object here). Mine is my avatar. N/M, here's a pic. No need to apologize Huntindog1. Full disclosure.....the hinges are less than ideal. The hinge pin holes have begun ( a long time ago) to oval out, so the door is slightly out of alignment. After almost 30 years of service, not bad, but due for a changeout.
Dave, on our old Ashley when the hinges and handle began wearing out, I fixed with JB Weld. It would hold good for about 3 or 4 years until we'd have to add some more. Cheap fix. So, do you go to Gaylord or Alpena to pick this up?
