Big date: November 7

They had another one on display I didn't get to see. It was just so crowded and a bit busy for me as I was with a friend and we had a time limit, he was interested in the IS and also getting in line for some pulled pork.

But don't forget, these are field test mules, not finished products, and there were lots of differences made between FT and products with the IS, plus with the colors and the disigns they keep changing. I don't think the box shape will change much, but the final product could change into various different looks as it shows in their blog. Wish I had of gotten pictures of the other one too.

But this doesn't pretend to be a Progress or Fireview in the beauty contest. I won't defend it too much, because it's like the IS, you are either going to like it, or not. But.. I think it will have a price point and a heating capability that will make anyone looking at "Bang for the Buck" in that size stove take a real hard look.

In the pics, the first one from left to right is Ray Bonz, Jon/Fishingpol from the north shore, and Tony/Fire man) I think I got that right. The next pics are Dennis and the Woodstock owner Tom, and Dennis and his wife Judy, all the way from Michigan. (someone please correct me on the names if I got them wrong.) Sorry I don't know who the couple is in the video or the WS employee's name in the video.

 

Having my daughter's in tow I actually didn't get pictures or the time to chat too much with the hoarders but I spoke at length with some of the WS crew about the new stove. My impression is that there is even more buzz around this than the IS. First- in person it looks great. The front is so much cleaner design-wise without the controls or hinges. Also the proportions look right. Second, it has a gear shift primary control!
I got to see the secondaries and they were running from the bottom up, filling the whole Firefox. That might be because it has a draft induced (60 degrees out) but I suspect it is more about a better re burn. Having two winters with the IS I can say the secondaries just looked more complete. The innovation seems to be more about a ton of little changes over the IS. The air flow is smoother and better positioned, with more tertiary air from 2 inlets. There is a littlle more stone in the liner than the IS, relative to firebox size. I'm a fan of the stove.
About the design, they are asking for feedback and nothing is a done deal yet. Stone might be an option on it if enough people ask but I would recommend seeing it in person--- and the Long Trail Brewing maple beer they served. I recommend that too.

 

One think that caught my eye is the wood beside the stove. Looks like some wood Scraps and possibly kiln dried wood. I'm sure it has newer technology, but throw some kiln died wood in your ideal steel and I'm sure you will see secondaries out the wazzoo. It looks like a great stove though. I wish I could have made it. I had to be at a wedding...

 

The other point that came across to me is the focus on The Race to Zero. Tom, and the entire company are "zeroed in" on the Race to Zero emissions.

Woodstock Soapstone Co. Blog: Franklin Steel Hybrid

I don't understand enough about the market or the landscape from either a regulatory point of view and how that might inpact stove sales, or a market/sales point of view, but they are serious about having the cleanest burning stoves you can buy, and every time I've talked to anyone who is close to this stove's design, the discussion always turns to getting ahead of the industry, especially the EPA/regulatory (in all it's local and global factions) and the competition in this area.

For me (please don't think I'm a bad person) the emissions alone wouldn't be my most important purchase requirement, but a great burning stove, both heat output and longevity of burn at an attractive price point would very much catch my interest.

If you are a stove manufacturer I can see where you could lose sleep at night worrying the next wave of EPA and other regulatory groups potentially shutting down your ability to sell stoves into the market due to tighter and tighter emissions requirements. Being green, is good in it's own right, but being green when you're selling stoves in all important. (I hope none of us have VW stock these days.)

The other side of the whole WS corporate strategy is thier market strategy to be able to build customized stoves, with excellent heating capabilities at a great price point. Add to that their manufacturing strategy to now do it all in house, and make cosmetic and size changes based on the same design principals, all with minimal external dependencies from other suppliers.
This all adds up to Woodstock becoming the Harley-Davidson of Woodstoves, with the ability to make many different models and sizes and looks with the same basic technology and functional design elements to back it all up. Excellent corporate strategies all the way around.

 

I just got back home. Travel was great this morning. We had a great time at the factory and out at dinner. We had a lot great conversations.

Everyone at Woodstock was fantastic to talk to. I was particularly interested in the metal fabrication and welding. I will say this anyone who is considering a Woodstock stove; not only is it a great value and made right there at their factory all the staff is so friendly and helpful.

The first picture is raybonz(ray) on the left, fire_man (Tony) in the middle and me on the right.

Ray, Darrin, sorry I had to cut out early, but I was up at 4:30, probably from the French fries. It was great to catch up with you guys and have some good laughs. All the other FHC folks were great to meet also. It turns out fire_man lives only 15 minutes away from me.

If anyone has the chance to meet Judy and Dennis at some point, they are a lot of fun to chat with. What a great sense of humor. Safe travels home everyone.

 

In the pics, the first one from left to right is Ray Bonz, Jon/Fishingpol from the north shore, and Tony/Fire man) I think I got that right. The next pics are Dennis and the Woodstock owner Tom, and Dennis and his wife Judy, all the way from Michigan. (someone please correct me on the names if I got them wrong.) Sorry I don't know who the couple is in the video or the WS employee's name in the video.

 

I would like to see the version without wings and that artistic metal stuff as shown in the picture above. Also curious to get some actual specs and operating details.

As a soapstone fan, the trend of WS towards the steel stoves makes me wonder how much of a role soapstone will play in their designs going forward. I like the concept of steel surrounded by soapstone as is done in the PH design. Would like to see this new design be available in such a configuration. For me, just musings; expect to be happy with my Fireview for quite some time.

 

I think they were wise to get rid of the huge loading door of the IS. A lot of people have had big issues with smoke rolling out on loading. The side loader still gives you a huge window to the fire.

 

I hope they are quick to get patterns on all their work. They really are doing things right!

 

Steve Oldhippie , thanks a ton for taking that video.
I could watch that kind of stuff all day.
The control of the stove seems excellent, and the range of adjustment is crazy.
The stove is bigger than I thought it would be from prior pictures. Hard to judge in a pic though w/o something close for reference.

 

This is a very important date for me as well, my wife and I celebrated 23 years married!

 

2.5 cu ft, 20" stick. Not small, for sure. If only I hadn't pushed out to a 21" stick for the PH!

 

Very good. Twice that for us just two weeks ago! Hang in there, you will be there and beyond.

 

Thank you very much!

Wow, that's a big congrats to you sir!!!!

 

Great meeting you Jon.. Would have loved to stay longer... Worth a 4 hour drive to meet Dennis and Judy and to listen to stories from the legend! As always time is an enemy..

Good time!

 

I was just going to post that I met you there too and shook the hand of a guy that does great work for his community. It was very nice to meet up with you and chat for a bit.

 

I just try to do my part.... I always complain about agencies that need 20 hours of meetings to do 2 hours of work.. Why I like Woodstock.. small company gets it done. "the FHC crew" was impressive!

 

I have to agree with you that Stove in the picture I do not like the looks of it

 

raybonz (Ray) and fishingpol (Jon in orange) are listening to one of the shop fabricators talk about the new Franklin style stoves. The shells of the beta Franklins in front of them are being assembled for use this heating season. At the time of the open house it was discussed that they would like to get 10 beta stoves out into the field this December. They have a list established for beta testers but I'm not sure if they had all been chosen yet.