I like the idea of a CAT stove, but I don't like the look.

I didn't know that these new catalytic stoves even existed before coming here. I'm definitely sold on the idea. But most of them are too "modern" looking for my tastes, and the generally rustic decor of my house.

I currently have an older Canadian model non-cat stove. Works great, and it's got a nice size firebox, which I really like. Obviously too late to replace it this year.

My parents have a 1970's era VC Defiant, and I see that their modern version has a catalytic option. That's more of the look that I'd be interested in.

However, when I was looking around to get an idea of the price range, I found a Youtube vid from a disgruntled customer. Their stove was "puffing" smoke. It appeared to be starving for oxygen, and then every couple of minutes, the cat would ignite rather violently, and puff smoke out of the gaskets.

The guy insisted that it was installed correctly, and that he was a burner for 30 years and was using it the right way, with seasoned wood. Several other people reported seeing the problem in their stoves, but were able to correct it by actually following the directions and performing proper maintenance. I didn't see that he ever took any of their advise, he just kept complaining about their customer service. Was that guy just an idiot?

I'm not completely sold on that model, but I really like the look of it. Can anyone suggest other, less "modern" looking CAT stoves?

 

Check out the Woodstock Fireview. It has a classic design and new cat tech.

 

Yep, you beat me to it. The Fireview is a classic design.

 

Those do look nice. Is that a brand new model? BrianK, yours looks like it's still on the crate! Have you had a chance to run it for a full season? Have you ever seen the "puffing" issue, and if so, was it simply a case of operator error?

 

Brian and I have Woodstock Ideal Steel stoves and I can tell you so far we have been thrilled (even with our pre-production stoves). It is not, however, a "classic design". The Fireview is, and has been working hard for 30+ years.

 

Well, I could live with something like that, although I would probably go classic black. I also like their "Progress" model. At least it's not a "cast iron box with fire in it", like the Blaze Kings and others.

 

Interestingly, catalytic stoves are actually an older concept than the new generation of secondary burn noncat stove (understand that there is very little similarity between a burn tube non-catalytic and a 70s vintage Fisher airtight ). VC was among the first companies to build high efficiency stoves by trying to adapt a catalyst to older airtight stove designs (the original Defiant Encore was one of the first purpose built catalytic stoves made).

There is a wide spectrum of "classic" look. The Fierview is a wonderful stove but its looks are very ornate IMHO - Victorian in style I think. I could see it fitting in well in some older homes, especially an 188s0s Queen Anne for example or a Crafstman Bungalo. But it looks a little out of place in say a colonial era home.

The VC's as you noticed, fit in quite well with early American architecture. The VC design is modeled after Federal period style, the window glass on the Defiant and Encore looks very similar to the classic fanlight window over the door of a federal house (imagine Mount Vernon for example). See my Encore here in our C. 1790-1820ish hearth. Looks like it was made to go there.




Now as far as that video you found. Ive seen it, trust me not all VCs have problems that bad. They are temperamental by nature being a downdraft design and are not very tolerant of either less than perfect flue setups or wet wood or careless operation. But if you are careful they can be a good reliable heater - I and a few others here have sucess.

Two things to watch out with for VC:
1 - They where bought and sold many times and quality control suffered for a lot of years. Parts availability can be hit and miss.
2 Their non-cats, Avoid like the plague. The cats are good but high maintenance. Older models where more complex but more reliable. The new 2in1 combos get mixed reviews.

If you want the looks of VC without the QC/parts concern a good alternative is a used Jotul F12. Basically the same concept but from a more stable company. It still has the downdraft finickiness and the maintenance associated with any cemented Iron stove. Its out of production so you have to hunt the classifieds to find one.

Other catalytic options:
Woodstock - Classic, Fireview as mentioned if you like the victorian look, Progress and IS are more modern
Blaze King - Mostly steel boxes but they have a new model called Ashford that is a steel firebox in a tradional styled cast iron shell
Lopi - Makes a catalytic hybrid model called the Cape Cod
Buck Stove

 

My first stove was a Fireview. Great stove but not enough BTUs for our drafty old house.

I was a Beta tester for the Ideal Steel last winter and the Beta unit was a fantastic stove. It's a hybrid, as it has both secondary air as well as a cat. It's extremely easy to control and never had any back puffing whatsoever.

The picture in my avatar is my new production model Ideal Steel from Woodstock's Facebook page, before it shipped here from their factory. They're uploading photos of all the custom designs there.

Unfortunately it's still sitting on its crate, in the middle of my living room. I'm debating whether to install it or just wait on the next Beta Franklin Hybrid model which I'll be beta testing for Woodstock this winter. It should be ready in October. The Fireview firebox was 2.2 cu ft, the Ideal Steel is 3.2, and this next Beta model is 2.6.

 

Another cat stove that hasn't been mentioned is the Dutchwest. I always liked the looks of those and haven't heard many complaints on performance.

 

Sounds like you should wait for the new one, and send the Woodstock to me, for safekeeping...

 

That's a good looking stove too. And I like the price range on both the WS and DW. Santa may have a new chimney to come down soon!

 

Some BK Ashford pics.

 

Oh whats this?

 

I'm still trying to figure out how to line my masonry flue to run the IS in the basement, while still keeping the natural gas hot water and furnace venting through the same flue. Its only 9"x9" internally so it probably ain't gonna happen.

 

http://blog.woodstove.com/search/label/Franklin Steel Hybrid

 

Wow, great looking stove and setup. Like the contrast with the tile and natural stone look.

 

That's @webby3650 Ashford.

 

I agree with the above that the fireview is a great stove, a small stove, but being a pure cat stove is a good choice for a small home that has that victorian look. I'd not call it classic but quite artsy and antique looking.

I have the more modern looking princess ultra. The look really grows on you when you start enjoying those 24+ hour burns that no other cat stove is capable of. At first, yeah, it's a bit ugly and it is not as clean burning a stove as the hybrid designs.