Another Woodstock Beta tester - Ideal Steel

Well, I just can't seem to find the time to put together a post describing all of my experiences with the stove. Being an accountant, I am working all of the time during this season, so I figured I would just start a quick thread and just through out some quick thoughts as they cross my mind. If anyone has any questions I might be able to answer, let me know.

I did quickly read a few of the threads from the other beta testers. Overall, my experiences are right on with what the other beta testers are seeing. The first thing I noticed was how controllable this stove is. My Isle Royale is a non cat stove, so while it is easy to use, it's not this easy. The IS is almost like you just set the desired temp with the air control and forget about it. After getting it hot, I set it to a certain air % based on the outside and inside temps, and the stove just settles down to a certain stove top temp and stays there until the fuel starts to run out. A lot less of a spike. My Isle Royale will take off to 700+ and likes to stay there, and then slowly work it's way down. So if it's not that cold out, you do need to control the heat output some with how much wood you put in, but with the IS, you can pack it full on a warm day, get it good and hot and then set the air way back for a warm fire for 24hrs. Although the opportunity for that hasn't happened much this year.

Another HUGE thing I notice as soon as the brought the stove in. The firebox is enormous. It is now very apparent to me that different manufactures measure this differently. Quad says the IR's firebox is 3.0 and I think I saw Woodstock lists the IS as 3.2. Now I don't know who is wrong, but this firebox is easily twice as big (and it's square, where the IR tapers in the back). I can (and have) fit 2 bundles of canawick bricks in there, 80lbs, no problem (24 hr heat). I could probably get close to 3 in there for 120 lbs. The IR could maybe fit 1 1/2 in there, but given it is not as controllable, I never went over 1. Oh, and another thing, being able to load the shorter logs N/S, is so great. Especially if you want to alternate them to get a fire going quick.

So these are my two favorite things about the stove. Is there anything I can answer for anyone, that hasn't been covered by the other, unbelievably detailed threads on this? While I am on the subject, great work guys on sharing every detail for everyone else.

Some info on the house I am heating:
- Colonial, post and beam, forced hot air propane, not heat on the second floor (never noticeable as the ceiling on the first floor is the floor on the second, literally same boards), main part of home is around 2000 sq ft. Then there is an addition of around 1500 off to the side. The addition is heated with 2 register rinnai propane heaters.

So to heat my house to 70-75 with this stove on the cold days, I pack it in the morning, then late afternoon my wife will put some in (doesn't pack in the way I do). Then, depending on how cold the day/night is, I might fill it pretty good before bed. Yesterday, when the temps were in the 40s, I packed it in the morning and the house was 76 when I got home around 6 or so (10 hrs later), so I put a little in and the temp was still 76 when I went to bed. Great bed of coals this morning.

Anyway, let me throw some pics on here and then back to work.

 

and my IR

 

Nice post D&T.
I've been wondering when/if other betas would make it on here.
I've seen yours on WS site, and I like the look better than some others.
Other than those canawicks, what type of wood do you use?

 

I am going to embarrass myself as I buy it cut and split (guessing a lot of people on here put in the time to do it themselves), so a mix of hardwoods. I don't know wood enough (or pay attention enough) to know exactly what woods are in there. I know oak, so I know that is probably 50% of what is in there. It is not seasoned as well as usual, so I tend to mix it with the bricks to get things going.

 

Fantastic first post D&T, welcome to the forum! Very nice design and color combo.

Good summary. This has been my experience too.

 

Thank you. I know the design / color is pretty boring. Honestly we are cast iron fans, not steal, so we went with black (wife hates colored stoves). She has warmed up to the design, but still prefers cast iron. We both love the functionality though. I think, because of the ability to customize the stove, Woodstock will grab quite a few buyers who prefer cast iron, but are looking for this type of great functionality. I think the ability to customize (and the level to which you can, design, color) is brilliant.

I think one of my favorite designs so far has been the one that is black with dark green and the dog/bird design on the side. I don't think it would fit our house, but I think that is the best looking one so far (for my tastes). Not sure who that is, maybe you.

 

Not at all. Your side panels show more of the soapstone than any of the other designs so far and I like that. Was your top originally copper colored? It looks like it in your first photo.

My stove is the light blue/dark blue combo. Liked by a few, disliked by many.

 

The colors are all black. The pictures have some funny lighting, but always all black.

took me a minute to find your stove. You are the guy with the cool burn videos. I like your stove, but isn't that the beauty of this stove? Everyone can get what the want.

You must have a much earlier stove. I see the exposed hinges on the top, no air control makers (which are a great idea!!!), the top flue exit is welded on. Guessing the functional pieces are pretty similar though.

 

Thanks Ray!

 

Bow, NH.

 

Yes, my stove was put together in November while the design was still in flux. The functional pieces should be the same but they've made a number of improvements since mine, like the hidden hinges and air control markings on the ash lip. I'm also really looking forward to an ash pan on the production model.

 

Ash pan is a must on any stove, in my opinion.
I am very interested to see what other changes they are planning for the production units.

On a side note, what a great company. They are so customer oriented, that alone is a huge reason to buy one of their stoves. Gil and Glenn, who did the install and Lorin coordinating this beta project, have been nothing but amazing to work with. Makes me want to work there .

 

I buy 10+ cords of wood every winter. Nothing wrong with buying wood.

As someone that buys wood, I urge you to buy more than you need each year to get three years ahead.

 

The first two years I burned was a combination of kiln dried oak ends I bought and wood I CSS. My own CSS wood was 90% of what I burned this year, but I'm transitioning from processing my own to buying.

My back can't take it, my oldest son is away at college, and my youngest son will be going off in two years.

There's a 19yo kid near here who is supplying me with cut and split cherry in trade for my trailer and splitter. It will take him another year of loads to get his side of the deal payed off but I'll be 4 or 5 years ahead when he's done. I'll just keep buying off him after that, replacing one year's supply each year.

 

The hidden hinges were something I noticed, and think it gives the stove a more refined look. A bit less industrial.

 

My first 2 years here, I bought c/s wood from a local guy.
I will probably do a mix of that and getting into the woods starting in the next couple years.
Really depends how much wood the new stove uses.

 

That's a good deal Brian.

Browning - 10 cord a year? wow. I split and moved 8 cord my first year and that was enough for me. I do try to buy wood in the spring for the next winter (so buy wood in spring of 2014 to burn in the fall of 2015), but with years like this, it throws me way off and I dip way into the next years wood...so, your advice of 3 years ahead is starting to make a lot of sense. I thought I was good planning 2 years out.

but I only use around 3 cord a year (last two years a little less, this year more like 4). 10... man, that is a lot of wood moving.

I really want to build a wood shed this spring....not sure if it will make the priority list.

 

That is the exact word my wife uses to describe the styling. Industrial.

I think it is a very cool design and in some house would look amazing. We are just more traditional (reproduction style colonial (post and beam)), so more country overall.

but man, this thing has it's strengths