Hi All, I have what I'm pretty sure is a Fisher Baby Bear stove (see pics attached). This stove came with our house when we bought in 2001. The previous owner used it to heat an unfinished basement. We've only burned it once or twice... otherwise it has been just a big space taker-upper. It has been stored in a dry basement (other than humidity). Since we don't use it, I would be interested in finding it a home and an owner that can make use of it. I would be selling it as is. It has not been cleaned recently (well, ever during my ownership). There's a couple patches of surface rust, but otherwise I think it's solid. If anyone uses it again, they'd probably need to look at securing the firebox door so it closes better... seems to me like it would need a door gasket to close it more tightly. It probably needs a good bit of work... cleaning up, etc. I'm not sure what all I would need to look for in terms of identifying potential problems. So, throwing it out here... can anyone give me any thoughts as to what the stove may be worth? And where might be the best place to advertise? I suppose the standard FB Marketplace and Craigslist are options. I'd probably most prefer posting in the classifieds here at FHC to start out. Another question is this... I think I've heard that it may not even be legal to use these types of stoves anymore (EPA, building codes, etc.). Does selling such a unit in such a case bring problems to either the seller or the buyer? Any thoughts you all may have would be appreciated. Pics now follow.
No idea on the worth? WeldrDave ? I don't think those ever had gaskets on the doors either. As far as selling it...probably no issues, especially for you. The buyer maybe, if his HO ins gives him hassle about it...but as long as it has the ID tag (UL tag?) on the back or somewhere still, probably no issues...
Hello RobGuru , first "none" of the Fisher line of that era had door gaskets! Yes, it's a Babybear and a nice little stove at that!!! It is early 70's era and it's super heater for a shop or garage. Ok, (worth)... Well, I sold two within a year apart. $300.00 is a good/fair price as long as the fire bricks are decent. Understand, they are not a new stove and "most" people could care less about these old girls! "I" would put a $250.00 price tag on it and stay firm! If it isn't in the way, or not eating anything, I would keep it. No, they are not EPA, but there are things you can do to them to make them burn very efficient. I've been burning a Fisher and since 1980, my parents bought there first Fisher in 1975 when they hit the market here. Nothing says you can't sell it, "They haven't outlawed that yet" where your at, give them time... But it "supposed' to be illegal to install them in certain places. I'm sure the stove police are not going to bash someones door down any time soon, most of the issue is insurance. Like I said, I've had one burning every year since 1980. If you are scared of putting it out for sale, just look on craigslist and see how many are there!
Keep it for a backup heat source. I’m running a Fisher mama bear and I’m telling you they are just great stoves if you understand heating with the metal box concept
The legal issue is that is a pre UL listed (tested) design. There will be no UL tag on the back. (It WAS tested and passed by 4 testing labs across the country and Canada, but that was before UL became the standard testing criteria used nationwide) NFPA 211 is the Standard which Codes are written from. NFPA has a section for installation and reduced clearances for non UL Listed appliances. This was fine up until PA along with most states adopted the ICC (International Code Council) Family of Codes. Installation is under the Mechanical Code which adds ALL Appliances must be UL Listed. So any non-UL Listed appliance already installed may continue to be used. New installations require UL approval. This includes a tag, so even UL Listed appliances missing a tag are no longer "Listed". They are in demand since they burn less than optimal fuel better than a newer EPA secondary burn type stove. Most simply install older stoves (which are safe when installed as per NFPA standards) and once in place is impossible to tell WHEN it was installed, or if it was "grandfathered" unless local jurisdiction has some type of record showing something else was there or not.......... Your stove in particular looks to be a '76 model going by the time period when the 4 fin draft cap was used, it has the older stainless steel spring handle, which was the first spring used after the original chrome ball, and soon after the handles were made longer and bent so the handle faces forward at the end. By the looks of the taper on the legs, it is a PA stove made in Factoryville PA and should have a stove number written in weld on the bottom. Number should start with PA and is not a serial number. The number was used to numerically number each stove off the line. I would have to see how the exhaust vent is welded and other closer details to give you more information. You're close to the Dunn Brothers area in Virginia and W. Virginia, but I don't believe they used the long taper on leg bottom called for in the prints the way PA did.
My neighbor gave me that same stove but I really didn't have a need for it, I think I listed it for $ 150 and got $ 130 Cdn, I did some research and as brenndatomu and WeldrDave mentioned they don't use a door gasket, might be an idea to mention that to the buyer it case they get a brain fart and decide to install one.
I have a small place and have been heating with a baby bear for several years...my place is small and very well insulated. I have electric base board and propane heat as well. Actually the electric is usually pretty cheap to run, I have a co-op electric service and it KWh runs from 5-9 cents an hour, has been as low as 4 and as high as 19 at times. Normally just set the electric at 58 and it rarely turns on. I heat with the baby bear about 90-95% of the time. Now, for my small place that is spray foam insulated I burn 1.5 - 2 full cord a year, depends on how fast I feed it, if I don't get over active feeding it then I am easily at 1.5. Great stove, great history, great heater. My baby bear still has another 30 years left in it...I paid $250 a few years ago, minor cleaning, coat of paint, replaced one fire brick. Like many Fisher owners I even cook on mine.
