Woodstock's next Hybrid: Version 3 (Franklin Hybrid?)

Monday, February 2, 2015
Hybrid: Version 3


We are finally building beta stoves for our next (as yet un-named) steel hybrid. This will be our third hybrid: first the Progress, then the Ideal Steel, and now a high performance woodstove with record-low emissions. The combustion system in this version has some significant innovations to lower emissions.


Ivan welds the top on a new beta
The new hybrid will again be made of steel, to keep the final retail price firmly in the affordable range. It has a soapstone or refractory liner, right or left door, top or rear exit, and will be available in several styles. Firebox capacity is approximately 2.5 cu. ft.

Ivan & Joe checking fit
The first few new beta hybrids will go on our test stand to verify that changes we have made to the “plumbing” won’t effect performance (they shouldn’t), to calibrate the bimetallic controls we are using, and to confirm that none of the innumerable recent changes influences emissions, output, or ease of use.
Labels: Franklin Steel Hybrid, Research and Development Posted by Woodstock Soapstone Co. at 2/02/2015

 

Here's one of their original concept drawaing on various styles they envisioned:

 

I will be following this one very closely...as much as I like the IS (and have put down a refundable deposit)...this new hybrid would better fit our needs (rear vent, efficient, side loading).

 

According to the good folks at Woodstock, the first few Beta "Franklin Hybrids" are coming out now, and those will go to the test booth and a few employees, then they plan a second run in a couple weeks, depending on how many changes they want to make after the first ones. So late February/early March we should be seeing some Beta stove reports.

 

Is there any hope for a blower?

 

I'm feeling for the crew that just put in BrianK new IS not too long ago. Run fellas, run

 

Well, my oldest son won't be home from college till May so he's safe. My youngest son and three of his homeschooling buddies will be helping out with this swap. They're currently using my wood splitter to split firewood for their home's wood furnace. I'm going to just give them my splitter as a reward for many favors last year (they helped move the new IS into the house last fall) and pick up something small and quiet, maybe electric, to use here at my house. (The 9hp Yanmar diesel on my splitter is awfully loud.) They'll be thrilled with that deal.

 

The I.S. is either rear vent or top vent, and it is quite efficient.

Thanks for passing this along Brian (K) and looking forward to another one of your detailed observations of using the new stove!

Brian

 

I like the side loading option. Will be interested to see....

 

I have not heard anything about a blower. If I do I'll let you know.

 

May be my next stove if I can make it fit my hearth. Wish they would post some dimensions.

 

Bimetalic controls. Hmmm. Crossing fingers for a long burner.

 

I think your blogs are down again...

 

SAY NO TO BLOWERS!!!!!!!!!!

I noticed that too! Is this going to be a Woodstock BK Hybrid? I've wondered why they haven't tried (as far as I know?) a thermostatic control....

In the meantime, somebody should tell Woodstock to design us a new mechanical geared air control for the PH! Would be really easy to do, and a couple of bolts to replace... A nice "aftermarket" add on to make some extra cash on the PH's!

 

Yes, and that's why I have already put down a deposit on an IS for delivery later in the year. However, since the Franklin hybrid is side load, it may move to the top of my list, depending on how the Beta testing goes in the next 4-5 months.

 

The IS has a coil.

 

Yeah, bimetallic controls that need "calibrated"? The bimetallic strip that opens and closes the pre cat air on the IS is a pretty simple mechanism that doesn't appear to require calibration.

Are they going the Blaze King route with a bimetallic coil thermostat? Or maybe the higher efficiency lower emissions features require more advanced controls? I honestly don't know but I'm certainly curious to find out.

 

They eliminated the coil and went with a simple bimetallic strip on the production IS models. My early Beta had the coil controlled pre-cat air valve and it never really functioned properly, though it might just have needed further refinement.

 

That would be really cool.

Notice two air tubes exiting the rear of the stove? I wonder if the secondary air and pre-cat air controls are both on the rear of this stove?

 

Are you sure that is not a Hot Dog cart they are building? Those two "tubes" coming out of the back sure look like the handle bars used to push the hot dog stand around in the street! Flip open the top, grab a hotdog and some sauerkraut ....