Woodstock vs Hearthstone?

I own a Hearthstone and if I did it all over again I would look at Woodstock or Blaze King, probably at the exclusion of everything else.

 

That's the kind of company Woodstock is. They are far and few between. I currently have two Woodstock stoves, a Fireview in the main living room area and an Absolute Steel in the family room/basement. Fireview is 13 years old now and the AS is 8 years old. Can't say enough positive things about Woodstock Soapstone.

 

What model Hearthstone do you own? What major issues do you have with your stove?

 

I have the new clydesdale. No major issues, other than a factory defect with a sticking bypass lever that requires the total re-installation of the entire appliance to repair. Minor issues include:
- The ash lip is held in with a really stupid retaining method
- The blowers sound cheap. May be the same with other stoves but worth mentioning
- The glass blackens up too easily
- Several basic QA issues. For example the blower screen was touching the air control lever causing a scratching noise when adjusting. Also the bypass gasket was installed improperly and required a repair very early on

It's a beautiful stove and works great, but it's imperfect, and I also feel like the support from the two companies I mentioned would be better. Hearthstone acts like a faceless corporation when communicating with them.

 

I have the Hearthstone Manchester, but still have not burned in it. Bought it last fall but never got the chance to install it... So I see a lot of complaints about Hearthstone and it does concern me a bit, and I knew the complaints before I purchased it. Your complaints don't seem too negative, and some I don't have to worry about, like the blower for instance... hopefully the issues don't exist for me.

 

I mean, they make premium products, they're just in a crowded market and they've had some missteps with the new clydesdale. Nothing fatal but criticism is warranted for sure.

 

Yeah, I feel like a key reason for the problems is the customer service or lack thereof... but I agree with you, I thought it the best stove for my situation and I'll be honest I really like the look.

I've also seen good reviews of the Hearthstone products, so want to put that out there as well.

 

I accept everything you've experienced.

BUT I'll say that I have a Hearthstone Heritage and haven't had a single issue. Granted, it only burned for half of last winter, but still. Also, I called to Hearthstone customer service to better understand how it burns and how it draws air, and was quickly transferred to an engineer who was super helpful. No issues in that regard either.

If it starts to fall apart, guess I'll report back here, but in the meantime I'm very happy.

 

I like you have always had good customer service with Hearthstone's Jim.A great guy and very helpful.

 

Glass blackening problem sounds more like a fuel or burn temperature problem.
2¢

 

That's what I thought too.

 

Was going to say the same thing. I can make my Woodstock IS glass black double quick burning low and slow. Don’t get me wrong here I love my IS and Woodstock customer care is world class. Something I didn’t see mentioned is the fact that you can customize the look of the IS. That feature is truly unique across the industry.

 

Hearthstone is so dishonest with their “heatlife” ratings. You can cut those numbers in half to be somewhat realistic.

 

A pipe damper helps a lot to extend heat life.I get 14 hrs with my " One " and 8hrs with the Mansfield.The larger the soapstone the longer the heat life.

 

Oh no…not the dreaded pipe damper, Rich! (My attempt at sarcasm)

 

When I turn my damper towards my back wall I can feel the heat coming off the stove in full force.I'm sold on these things.

 

Brought door down installed new gaskets for glass and door $13

 

I missed you. I was there Friday early afternoon. Bought a gasket kit for the Fireview and a new Cat for the AS. I'm not sure I needed it for the AS but since I was there and they had one in stock, if I need it I'll have it. Cheaper to buy since I was there and it would have been $17 to ship it to me one state away. I didn't see anyone I knew.

 

I ran into a Brian ? Mass somewhere he has 2 IS

 

Woodstock makes a great product and has the best customer service. I would recommend Woodstock to any of my friends or family. I saw that they sold out of fireviews this year.