What model is that? I’m going between Drolet escape 1800 and the century 2900. Any advise or why you went with that on. Thanks
Awesome. You sound happy. That’s good. Maybe when the fire dies down and it’s just coals you could make the kids and wife some s’mores. You’ll be crowned King of the castle!!
Any money saved can be spent on chain saws, splitter, truck or other “nesessaey” equipment for hoarding!
Hey Tony, it's an Drolet Escape 1800i. I chose this over the century 2900 and a few others I had on my list for a few reasons. #1 my wife liked the trim kit on the Drolet, it has a nickle colored edge. #2 because of the trim kits size. The standard trim kit fits under my mantle perfectly. The larger trim kit would have run into it. From what I recall the century 2900 only has the one larger size trim kit and comes included. #3 the reviews/word of mouth. The reviews I've read online and the fine folks I talked to on this forum who own the insert have had nothing but really good things to say about it. All that combined with its FB size and price point made it my choice. Menards was running it 11% off deal so that also helped me sway towards this insert. From what I can see the Century and Drolet are identical looking and are the same size and made by SBI so I really see no difference beside the options offered! Anything I can help out with just let me know, would be glad too!!!
Yes you did Suburban wood snob as well as brenndatomu. I thank you both so much for all your valuable input. That's what makes this place so unbelievably awesome!!!
I've only owned the stove since labor day and used lightly this past weekend but I've been extremely happy and so impressed with their support. Being a noob I called them and contacted them via email several times about a few questions I had. They went above and beyond on helping me and always a quick response. I had a guy ask for my phone number and he called my work phone from I believe Quebec Canada and walked me through some of my dimension questions.
They aren't the same stove despite the similarities. I recall hashing this out when I purchased my Drolet. I used to think that it was the same firebox, with a different enclosure, but that too is different. Ironically, the Century has a very slight advantage in terms of firebox size(less than 0.1cf) and is actually overall larger externally. Not by much... 1 inch here, a half inch there, etc... Does it matter from performance standpoint? Im not sure if does, but three things that were distinctly different on the Drolet... 1. Aperture size favors the Drolet by and extra quarter inch. Easier to load the top downs. 2. The Drolet can sit inboard more than an inch more. That's more surface to radiate heat. 3. The Drolet door is way beefier and doesn't look like it would ever break. I didn't get that vibe from the century. For whatever reasons SBI has similar but not identical inserts that at least on the spec sheet perform the same. I have never seen one in action, known anyone who owns one, so I'm not implying it's a bad unit. I just didn't like it...it didn't help much that the fluted sides and rounded edges the door and hinges reminded me of the Vogelzang...which I think is probably not a bad unit, but I don't like helping the Chinese economy when I have other and better options to spend my money on.
Yes, they are in Quebec and very helpful. I finally bhad to buy a few parts for our stove, had 1 brick crack, the baffle cracked and replaced the door gasket. Got a can of paint for touch-up. Great company, IMO
Hahahaha.....thank you my friend and I owe you guys, next one is on me!!! Outstanding info Suburban wood snob, thank you! Yep T.Jeff Veal , they have been a pleasure to work with so far and I love the fact its made right here in North America by our brothers to the North!
