Drum Stove

The problem with drum stoves is there life span. They are relativly "thin" walled and can melt or burn through in a few years. Now, some last quite a while due to not regular use. Also, a drum stove will not hold heat no where near as long as a cast iron or steel stove, They are much thicker. There is the old saying, "you get what you pay for"... Yes, you can get the kits cheap and get a couple years out of it but in the long run, "my opinion" is just find a good used older stove and have fun. I've seen some Fisher Baby and Fisher mama bear stoves as cheap as $200.00 on Craigslist, they will give you another 40 years out of them. That's just one brand, I've seen many other quality stoves on CL for as cheap as $100.00 Me personally, just go with a quality manufactured stove. I'm not trying to throw a wrench into someones plans, this just comes from experience of many friends over the years.

 

$450 is a little steep! "but" I would go $300 for one all day. You never know, call them and make an offer, "what the worst could happen, they say no"? Keep looking and go maybe a 100 miles from where you live on CL. They're out there, I'm sure one will come up. The general public is so uneducated about them and they're the best kept secret since they were made. The older ones are "not" UL or EPA rated, "but who cares"! Nothing really changed in them but a few minor changes when they were. They make an "OUTSTANDING" garage heater, and you can cook all day with them, I do stew's all winter long with mine. Good luck in your search, be patient, you'll get one!

Here's a couple pics of two Babies, the arch top door is a 1981 model, I sold that one last year, and the square door is a 1978 ish, I restored that one and still own it. Pic showes it with out the spring knob I hadn't yet put on, it was freshly painted. Good luck!

 

My opinion, don't waist your money! It's a novelty and they really dont have any function. You used to find them for $50.00 a set if four, now the prices are INSANE! If you want to put anything under the feet for more support, Go to the Hardware store and get some 3" Round Stainless steel Fender washers. They are shiney, flat and look nice under the legs. You'll spend $10.00 for them , Better than $300.00

 

Well, Bob Fisher was the originator of the "air tight" stove and had the patent. All the other stove companies copied but never could do what Bob's design could do. His design was simple but very effective! His stove brick placement was also a key role in keeping the stove holding heat for hours. The only other stove that resembles and "acts" like a Fisher is a Kodiak stove, from Alaska stove works. I have one and had another I sold years back. There were many companies that came and went and tryed to imitate Bob's stove, The advertising of the Fisher back in the 70's was also a key player which helped the stove gain a huge following and popularity. Bob's stoves were built by about 25 fabricators through out the Country, "to Bob's specifications" He was the only one who casted the doors so when you bought into the franchise, he sent you the doors so he could keep track of how many stoves were sold. I don't know if you ever seen a Gentelman on here by the screen name of Coaly but "He" is the hands down Fisher God, Guru. The mans knowledge of Fisher stoves is tremendous. I know a fair amount and can "mostly" answer anything you need. Sadly, with the Fisher stove, the EPA started to put the squeeze on Non-EPA stoves so that basically selling them was done forever. There are many still out there and many being used. A large amount of them are now Beer cans and car parts with scrappers getting their hands on the for junk. "Technically" you cannot install one in a home or new construction. Many folks are using them for barns, garages, workshops and such. If you have one in your home and it's functional, it is Grand Fathered in. Now I'm not sure about all states but it is here in NJ. Some people just play dumb and say it's always been in there home and they just never notified the insurance company. Anyway, I have helped and installed 6 Fishers in friends homes in the last 15 years and all of them are going strong! I've been burning one here since 1980, and My parents had the First Grandpa Fisher here in Southern NJ in 1976. I wouldn't own anything else and for the record, my room I'm sitting in right now is a balmy 82º and I only have one log of Hickory in Grandma! Hope this helps. Ask away, I'll be happy to give you what I know!

 

Oh, and lastly that I didn't put above, "you can't kill one"!!! They are repairable because they are Steel plate and if you burn them correctly and not over fire them, it'll last you a 100+ years and then another 100+ years for your great grand kids and so on. I just refinished my Grandma last summer, and she needed a face lift "BAD" but here is the before and after pics...

 

Below is a copy of the Fisher stove story, I have a signed copy from Bob Fisher himself. "IF" you can even find a copy you will pay a few hundred bucks for a copy.
I scanned this copy for everyones enjoyment, Compliments of our friend Coaly. Open it and Enjoy, Click on the chapters

 

That's a good deal but it appears someone cut the legs down on it! It looks "way to low" That is actually a easy fix also, I did a Mama bear just like that and designed my own legs, welded them on and good as new!