Castle Serenity Saga

What a load of rubbish

 

I agree

 

I was looking at the Cab 50's advertised at Farm & Fleet or Farm & Home? and they had them for $1,200 plus shipping from MN or WI IIRC which would arrive here for $1,500. Then right before I pulled the trigger I found a like new PC45 semi-locally. Got it for $1,600 with many extras and it really only needed a thorough clean and rope gaskets so I went that route being familiar with my P68 or somewhat familiar at the time.

I agree the Heatilators are good simple stoves also. Problem is now I can no longer find one for a cheaper price and no local dealers have them here anywhere except one place can get them. They are higher than giraffe nuts on their prices and would have to order one in. It may still be a contender but I will look more seriously in the off season for deals and what all is out there.

To be honest stuff made in China chaps me so that is a small strike on a Serenity and also the problems Rich has had early in the stoves career. I also am a firm believer in paying some more for no hassles and better quality. The Serenity has had rave reviews and is cheap too. Rich's problem is about the first and only I have seen or read about thus far.

Another thing keeping me on the fence is pellet pricing. I refuse to pay good money for extra work to stay warm. The tonnage prices this past fall opened my eyes. Hopefully the manufacturers and suppliers took note...... I also am planning on upgrading my wood burning options just because it is always a very stable and solid go to. Does require some time and work but as mentioned, I know what that entails and what it costs me both time, effort, and misc. expense. Wood is a cost I can control in a large way and have plenty here for "free." Just need to find some "free" time to deal with it.

Thanks for the suggestions, Dexter I prefer to approach things with open ears and eyes and am always up for a better way or deal.

 

It's here

 

Wow, I am impressed!!! Congrats!!!

 

damm impressive and happy for ya bro! Better customer service than any other pellet stove manufacturers or dealers including Harman and all the others I've seen. How much you selling it for? LOL!

That just kept the Serenity on my radar. It would be a secondary or not used a bunch stove here so I'd imagine I would get some years out of one. Any word on what happened to your old one? Does it really matter now? Other than curiosity. That is just great! Sounds like you are due for some new HEATED man cave dude.

 

Can you post up some good new close ups if you unwrap it? I've never seen any good pics of one or laid my eyes on one personally. Just general stuff on the web. Maybe a front, side, and rear along with some interior shots if it isn't a problem. Don't feel obligated and if you plan to retail it do not do the pics. Keep it in the box. The shot of the box is about the best I've seen of one to where you can actually see something real. Thanks

 

I will hook you up with pics bud,I'm keeping the stove

 

I don't think I have ever come across a deal like that. two years out of warranty and you get a new stove without spending a nickle.
I do hope you use the stove. They did that whole thing in such good faith, and I am betting looking for some good feedback. I don't blame the wife at all for being concerned about the noise and the not knowing what was going on. After all, anything with a fire in it, in your home, is used with great respect and caution.

 

Even if its a factory second or a refurb you can't complain about that customer service. Although, I don't think China would send factory seconds here but you know what I mean.

 

That is fantastic

Did they take the old one back to check out? Just needs the verm boards in I reckon.

 

Yup they took the old one

 

Alright folks unboxed the new stove and opened the door and first thing I noticed is that the rear panel inside has more plug welds and the edges are stich welded as my old stove was not, so the weld issue has been addressed.

 

Here you go Bags

 

Would still be better with the verm boards. A to reflect heat and B protect the inside of the stove. If they are available I reckon I would shout myself a set.

 

i'm gonna get the back verm. panels, not gonna bother with the sides because the flame is no where near the sides

 

Thanks, Rich! Looks good. On the first set of pics right after Chickenman and in the first photo what is that Allen screw sticking out? What is it for and where is it?

To me the stove looks pretty solid and we know they are dependable runners although you had a defect in the first it still ran which scores with me. Overall it is a nice modern European looking unit but clean and simple too. I'm not much for the bling-bling here as I just went for the all black and simple on the Harmans.

I think they are pretty cool looking myself. Better looking than a lot of pellet stoves IMHO. I figured you were planning on keeping it but joked about pimping you out of it. Now if you lived close by and undecided I might be working you over about it. LOL!

I am still in a little shock as to how Ardisam just took care of business. Kudos for them! That's the way it should be but in my opinion they were beyong good about handling it. For the price point you can't go wrong with one I feel. Once I get thru tax season here I'll be looking a lot harder. Sucks cutting that check each year. A Serenity is definitely a contender. Back in the front of the line it goes. I've been looking at about everything out there and pretty much had decided on one when the time comes then you had the malfunction but after the way it was handled I don't have any concerns.

Did you use your 1st stove as primary heat? Was it ran 24/7? And what's up with that Allen screw? Thanks

 

Just an idea. I saw where some wood burners here have just bought some of that board from a ceramics type place and cut it to fit in the Englander NC-30's. Can't remember what it costs or what Castle sells the factory deals for. It was in the NC-30 threads somewhere. IIRC it was pretty cheap.

In those wood stoves they lay up on top of the after burner tubes. I remember it was cheaper than the OEM replacements though. Not sure it would be worth it for you but worth checking out for another option.

Dexter might know.