Woodstock vs Hearthstone?

I have been considering the Ideal Steel stove but probably won’t be able to get one until Summer. I still have not found a local business with dock to have it delivered. I have also been researching Hearthstone truhybrid technology. How do these two technologies compare? Is the Hearthstone a comparable stove worth considering. The Woodstock IS is still my first choice however, It would be a lot simpler to purchase a Hearthstone from a dealer who can simply deliver….any thoughts ?

 

Do you have access to a tractor with a front end loader and pallet forks? And a place for the tractor trailer to stop/park for few minutes to unload? That's how I got mine...little church parking lot right across the road.

You're also closer than I am for a potential road trip to Woodstock....

I can't give you any help on comparing the two though, sorry.

 

Great ideas… I will ask a couple local businesses

 

The way I looked at it was like this: sure it would be simpler to have the stove delivered and installed, but in actuality your looking at an afternoon (if it’s going into a preexisting hearth/chimney) of work. Years of trouble free heat and great customer service seemed more than worth it to me for a little inconvenience up front. I picked my IS up at the shipping terminal. They loaded on my trailer. While I used a small tractor (toro dingo) I could have simply backed the trailer up to the door I wanted to use to bring the stove inside and used piano dollies to do the heavy lifting. Thanks again TurboDiesel for the excellent suggestion of renting piano Dollie’s. I would never move a stove with out them again. Don’t let the minor inconvenience of needing to pick up the IS stop you from going with your first choice.

details of my install here:

Finally pulled the trigger...

 

I think both companies make good stoves. I went with Hearthstone because of local dealer support for chimney and stove install. In my younger DIY years Woodstock may have gotten more consideration. At 70yrs. old, I did not want to deal with sending a stove back for problems and struggling with moving and install. I am very pleased with the function and looks of my Castleton.

 

I was apprehensive about the woodstock stove also for the very reason you posted but the good knowledgable people here assured me the more common problems have been rectified so i bit the bullet and went with the ideal steel.
Hard to beat a good close dealer though.

 

The truck that delivered my stove at SIL's business had a drop tail gate and he said he would have delivered to house but no way to communicate that.

 

I have two Hearthstones.Though these stoves were made before the new technology I'm very happy with them.Before woodstocks new line of stoves Hearthstone made the largest soapstone stoves now with Woodstock's new line they're about equal in size since Hearthstone is not pushing their largest models anymore.We'll have to see if Hearthstone's leap into the new for them CAT tech is any good one thing for sure is Woodstock stoves are way cheaper.

 

Danno Welcome aboard! looks like you're pretty new around here. I've found this website in particular to be a really solid resource for all things wood heating.

I have passing experience with Hearthstone and long term experience with Woodstock. Back in college a friend's family had a large Hearthstone. It was beautiful, they loved it and it was my point of origination of being really interested in soapstone stoves. Beyond that I can't speak to operating it or what might make it differ one model to the next.

What I am willing to add is that after a prolonged interest in Woodstock stoves and wanting to move to a stove with a catalyst I did take a trip up to New Hampshire from down here in Connecticut. It wasn't too terrible a drive for me and I enjoy upper New England so all is to say the drive was close enough and fun enough for me to go on a fact finding mission.
The showroom is very nice, and gives a much better context to the stoves than seeing them in person. A personal example is I was considering the Ideal Steel but when I saw it in person I knew it would be much to large for my house. I wound up getting the smallest wood stove they make and have been very happy.

As stated previously here and in a number of other threads, the customer service at Woodstock is second to none. They respond quickly to phone and email contacts and when I was there in person anyone I spoke to totally knew their stuff.

If you can hazard a trip, it's my opinion it was worth it. I just want to focus on one small part in your original post:

Everyone's circumstances are different, but don't settle for less. Get the thing you want.

 

Been to both manufacturers and seen both; I have the Ideal steel

 

I've been using Woodstock stoves since i started burning wood in 2013. First the Fireview, now the IS. I love the hybrid for sure!.
What part of central Pa are you located?

 

Now I've had two Woodstocks in the past.One was the Classic model which I sold.The other was the Fireview model which I returned.That's the Ace that Woodstock has on other companies.You can return the stove if it doesn't fit your needs.Now how great is that !

 

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Pretty close.. Huntingdon

 

I have no experience with Woodstock but do with Hearthstone . My Heritage has the notorious side door issues . The latch that’s used to close the side door wears out and only fix is a complete rebuild . It’s gonna be due for a 2nd rebuild next year and at that point I think I’ll buy a new Woodstock.
I did have a long conversation with Hearthstone about this known issue a few years back and basically was told it’s because I burn 24/7 . Well Duh

 

My response would have been yes when I need heat!!

Dad cousin got a Mansfield used it 2 years sold it and went back to Fisher Mama bear. He had rebuilt

 

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Agree with you and that makes me think, buy the Woodstock IS for sure.

 

Oh. Heck...we're like neighbors. Our office is in Alexandria.
If you wanna check out my IS, just holler.

 

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Is the IS in Alexandria or at your residence? And yes that’s a generous offer. I have been watching YouTube videos but it would be nice to experience the heat it throws off.

 

That’s a generous offer Danno ! Just don’t let Tim stand behind you while your looking at his stove in the basement