What’s Going On with Woodstock Soapstone?

I think people like to blame tariffs for everything, but as you mentioned, us sourced items are not subject to tariffs here. Now EPA certification with the king government shutdown makes all sorts if sense, for new models. If it's an existing model, they are already certified.

 

A lot of the supply chain for New England comes from Canada and has for many many years. it is easier and quicker to truck certain items from Canada than through the Mid Atlantic.

I work for a large construction manager and 3 of the 4 largest steel fabricators that fab steel for buildings in building in Boston are in Quebec. Ironically they used to buy all of their raw steel from the USA, fab it, then ship it back but the last time I was up there they were buying from the EU and having the beams shipped via the St Lawrence.

 

Since the tariffs, if they haven't changed to source from the US, and still are sourcing from Canada then as a company they are way behind and have been wasting a lot of money, and potentially customers.

I'll refer to my Sourcing comments I made a few pages back. It takes at least 1 sourcing person, and a good and dedicated one or 2 even, to go through your suppliers and identify the ones that will cost you a lot of money by not switching. Trust me, I know it sucks, sometimes you have to leave long time loyal suppliers. It's merely a business decision.

 

The EPA agency is probably gutted. During the government efficiency movement lot of employees took the buy out. They have been a freeze on hiring also. I would say that agencies have been extremely backup. The whole country is in a big mess.

 

About time...they were getting totally bloated and out of control...government in general, but them specifically!

 

A new cat for my 201 Fireview is $140. Figure I get 4 good years out of it before it starts slowing down. That's $35/yr over the 4 good years of the cat. IMO thats worth saving the wood I didnt have to burn. I'm burning half of what I used to with my old Regency insert. It's not much of a problem if you plan ahead.

I recently popped in a new cat that was sitting on my basement shelf for a few years. I ordered 2 during the covid shortages due to supply chain uncertainty at the time. I'll order another one in 3 years so I have one ready to go in year 4 or 5 for whenever the current one needs replacing.

 

I agree

 

"The whole country is in a big mess?"

Do you ever wonder why?

 

Oh yeah. We do.
Just remember we don't talk politics on FHC. We'll talk government agencies, taxes, government waste, but stop short of politics. It's a fine line

 

I should have done this- I thought I did but that's what thinkin' gets me.
I have the $140 version in my stove right now but picked up a ceramic cat to keep on standby in case I need it in a pinch. I've never used a ceramic version before so I don't have any first hand experience with it yet. I'll see what comes in the next couple years because the BKVP member had a post saying something to the effect of there being what I took to be a next generation catalyst under testing to give a wider band of operation. I was intrigued to read that. I want to know more about it.
I've always found new technology really exciting.

 

Even though there have been some reported hiccups out there, I continue to have a great experience with Woodstock.
Ideal Steel, year 11. 6-7 year old cat still going strong.
I’m running it HARD this year and everyday it just does its thing consistently with no drama. No cracks that I have seen.
The only issues are a bent sled shield since it’s an early model- still works so I haven’t asked them to replace it with the update. And the paint is starting to wear down.
I’ve been to WS twice for gaskets this winter and both times got the great service I’m used to.

 

It for sure seems like a situation where they are trying to weather the storm, and I surely hope they do. I had a hard time getting some parts in the fall for my keystone. I had cracked am exterior stone, and thought it was just that, but ended up needing more, which I didn't find until I had it torn down. I had to make 3 separate orders (my own fault there) and for 2 of them, it was close to 2 weeks before they shipped, and I had to give them a call to see where it was at. I was 100% pleasant on the calls, because they've treated me so well in the past and I know full well this isn't some fly by the night company trying to pull one over their customers. If it's taking them 2 plus weeks to pack up a few stone / gasket / cement then it surely means they are having a tough go at it.

I still 100% back the product and people there, and absolutely love the stove. Really pulling for them that they can weather this rough patch and come out the other side stronger.

 

Just got off the phone with Loreen at Woodstove and was pleasantly surprised they have the Ideal steel stove catalytic burners, she said they are in welding and should ship first of next week 2-16-26. She was pleasant as usual. ALWAYS ARE. Just thought I'd throw this out for those interested in what's going on with burners for the Ideal steel Stove

 

Good to hear they got them in! When I called they said they had 800 landing in Feb so it looks like they are there. The welder will be seeing CATs in their sleep

 

Looks like a bit more of a wait. I tried to order a CAT, maintenance kit and sled rod. CAT and maintenance kit are listed as out of stock. Try again in a couple weeks.

 

I've had better luck calling in my order. Even if it's out of stock, they'll take your order over the phone and ship once it's in stock / their shipping person gets to it.

 

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Yikes, the tadpole gasket is supposed to be replaced every 2 years? Mine is quite a bit older than that as I last replaced it in 2019. That is a job for July as it is a tedious, messy, time-consuming job which won't work during burn season.

 

Got my new CAT today, seems like they are making their way through the list.

 

I just tried to order a sled assembly for my Ideal Steel. She said they don't have any in stock and they haven't been manufacturing the Ideal Steel since it has lost the EPA certification.