Who's a wood burning stove expert?

[Webbie1]

Not in a garage, but basement of a house I'm considering buying. I'm a sucker for wood burning stoves. What can anyone tell me about this one? Obviously put into what used to be a fireplace. The house was built in the 50's....not sure the age of the stove, but to me it looks pretty cool. What can anyone tell me about this one? I took a screen capture from a video I made when I looked at the house, so this is about the best image that I can capture from that.

Thanks in advance,

Warner

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aYRXeC4UknGVCE6E-4LmHSdW4j1DYQcK/view?usp=sharing

 

[larry_g]

That looks to be an old Fisher type stove from the '70s. It is vented into what looks to be a fireplace. May or may not be legal these days as running a stove into a fireplace is some cases is a fire hazard unless the stove is removed to clean out create annually. Is this on the west coast somewhere?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Webbie1]

That looks to be an old Fisher type stove from the '70s. It is vented into what looks to be a fireplace. May or may not be legal these days as running a stove into a fireplace is some cases is a fire hazard unless the stove is removed to clean out create annually. Is this on the west coast somewhere?

lg
no neat sig line

Nope....in the Rockford, Illinois area. Thanks for the reply....going to look up Fisher type stoves now...

Warner

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm with Larry on it looking like a Fisher wood stove.

 

[Webbie1]

I'm with Larry on it looking like a Fisher wood stove.

Thanks guys....I'm doing some research now. Good info, and much appreciated.

 

[xjfish]

I grew up feeding the same wood stove in the upstairs of my parents home. Sadly they no longer own the home but I'm betting that wood stove is still there and fully functional. I do believe it is a Fisher. Awesome stove. Heated well over 1,000 sq. feat easily. Well made heavy stove with squirrels on the front. The only complaint may be that the firebox could be bigger? I'm just going on memory here. Good quality! If you have any specific questions I can try to answer.

 

[Webbie1]

I grew up feeding the same wood stove in the upstairs of my parents home. Sadly they no longer own the home but I'm betting that wood stove is still there and fully functional. I do believe it is a Fisher. Awesome stove. Heated well over 1,000 sq. feat easily. Well made heavy stove with squirrels on the front. The only complaint may be that the firebox could be bigger? I'm just going on memory here. Good quality! If you have any specific questions I can try to answer.

Thanks! Someone on another forum doesn't think it's a Fisher. I really don't care who made it, as long as it's quality, functional, and safe to use. I appreciate all the knowledgeable helpful guys (and gals) on here.

Warner

 

[xjfish]

Thanks! Someone on another forum doesn't think it's a Fisher. I really don't care who made it, as long as it's quality, functional, and safe to use. I appreciate all the knowledgeable helpful guys (and gals) on here.

Warner

I should really know this! (Brand) It is bugging me now. If I get a chance I will ask my old man, I'm sure he will remember. Will post if I find out for sure.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

xjfisjh, i'm in the same boat.

I'm not familiar with that model, but for the past 25+ years we've had wood stoves. first was a Vermont castings insert (catalyst model), more recently a Jotul. both we did a stainless liner/cap for a better draft and no creosote issues. we burn 10 or so cords per year on average.

I very much prefer the simpler setup of the Jotul with secondary air vs the interior complexity of the VC (baffles + catalyst + damper + fans). ended up making stainless parts for the former because when you heat solely with a wood stove, the weaknesses reveal themselves.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I grew up feeding the same wood stove in the upstairs of my parents home. Sadly they no longer own the home but I'm betting that wood stove is still there and fully functional. I do believe it is a Fisher. Awesome stove. Heated well over 1,000 sq. feat easily. Well made heavy stove with squirrels on the front. The only complaint may be that the firebox could be bigger? I'm just going on memory here. Good quality! If you have any specific questions I can try to answer.

You know the way their stoves have lasted, this may be a design feature. Keeping a smaller firebox might prevent people from over firing the stove and causing damage and failures.

 

[Jazz1]

Newer wood stoves are much more efficient. I see stoves like that at the scrapyard because insurance companies won't cover them. Not that there's anything wrong with them other than being out dated. You should go to a shop that sells wood stoves and enlighten yourself. I have a Pacific Energy wood stove. Excellent and efficient.

 

[Webbie1]

Newer wood stoves are much more efficient. I see stoves like that at the scrapyard because insurance companies won't cover them. Not that there's anything wrong with them other than being out dated. You should go to a shop that sells wood stoves and enlighten yourself. I have a Pacific Energy wood stove. Excellent and efficient.

I have no doubt that the newer ones are more efficient. This one is already in the house, so I would use what's there. If you get your wood for free (and anyone who puts a little effort into that, at least in my area, can), then the efficiency is a lot less of an issue.

If anyone figures out the make and model, I'd appreciate knowing. Thanks to everyone who has responded so far....much appreciated!

Warner

 

[930dreamer]

If its a Fisher it will say Fisher across both doors.

 

[Webbie1]

If its a Fisher it will say Fisher across both doors.

Well THAT makes it easy. Hahaha. I love that there's a coffee mug on top of the stove in your photo!

Warner

 

[tyme2par4]

That looks to be an old Fisher type stove from the '70s. It is vented into what looks to be a fireplace. May or may not be legal these days as running a stove into a fireplace is some cases is a fire hazard unless the stove is removed to clean out create annually. Is this on the west coast somewhere?

It should be vented all the way up to the top of the chimney with a stainless steel liner.
You also want to make sure there is a cap on the chimney that is well sealed, or that is just a highway for the hot air to escape.

 

[930dreamer]

If you buy the place I'd at least pull out the wood stove and clean the chimney/liner? This will allow you to see how its connect into the chimney.

 

[Webbie1]

If you buy the place I'd at least pull out the wood stove and clean the chimney/liner? This will allow you to see how its connect into the chimney.

Good suggestions guys. If I buy it, I'll keep everyone posted.

Warner

 

[larry_g]

The reason I asked your location was that in this area a lot of stove company's popped up when the fuel crisis happen in the '70s and and lasted only a few years till the EPA got involved. My folks had a fireplace conversion done like that and the connection to the fireplace looked like that and just vented into the firebox without any connection or liner to the chimney. It caused problems and near burned down the house. I would recommend that you have the whole thing inspected to see what is there and if the chimney is still good. You won't know till the stove is moved and things looked at.

It wasn't till many years later that it became mandatory to line the chimney preventing all the problems that some of the earlier conversions were discovered. If that stove dates to the earlier years it could be a problem. Look for a tag on the stove giving information. If no tag then it is an earlier one.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Webbie1]

The reason I asked your location was that in this area a lot of stove company's popped up when the fuel crisis happen in the '70s and and lasted only a few years till the EPA got involved. My folks had a fireplace conversion done like that and the connection to the fireplace looked like that and just vented into the firebox without any connection or liner to the chimney. It caused problems and near burned down the house. I would recommend that you have the whole thing inspected to see what is there and if the chimney is still good. You won't know till the stove is moved and things looked at.

It wasn't till many years later that it became mandatory to line the chimney preventing all the problems that some of the earlier conversions were discovered. If that stove dates to the earlier years it could be a problem. Look for a tag on the stove giving information. If no tag then it is an earlier one.

lg
no neat sig line

Good info, guys. Thanks. I'm looking at a few different houses so no telling where I'll end up.

Warner

 

[TractorJeff]

What post 18 says!
When they direct vented into the fireplace there is lots of creosote build up on the walls and up the over sized chimney. Remember the chimney is sized for a fireplace. Anyways the creosote catches fire then super heats the liner and brick/block chimney. By the time the fire dept shows up the damage is done!
When we bought our house 20 years ago, I used this as a bargaining tool by insisting a chimney inspection be done. Guy came in, pulled the stove and said yes its currently an illegal setup. Got a couple grand knocked off the asking price!
After we bought, I had it direct vented into the chimney which is the next safest set up for the time period which still requires an annual cleaning. We ran that 24/7 to keep the chimney hot to minimize creosote build up but it still builds at the top working its way down. After 10 years we were able to afford having the chimney stainless steel lined to the correct diameter for the Stove.
If you decide to buy is make sure it is UL certified because that is an Insurance company requirement. Next hard part is finding an Insurance company that will cover wood stoves. Mine gave a slight discount on the Premium because we had a second Inspection and he certified it to be legal and safe.

 

[Webbie1]

What post 18 says!
When they direct vented into the fireplace there is lots of creosote build up on the walls and up the over sized chimney. Remember the chimney is sized for a fireplace. Anyways the creosote catches fire then super heats the liner and brick/block chimney. By the time the fire dept shows up the damage is done!
When we bought our house 20 years ago, I used this as a bargaining tool by insisting a chimney inspection be done. Guy came in, pulled the stove and said yes its currently an illegal setup. Got a couple grand knocked off the asking price!
After we bought, I had it direct vented into the chimney which is the next safest set up for the time period which still requires an annual cleaning. We ran that 24/7 to keep the chimney hot to minimize creosote build up but it still builds at the top working its way down. After 10 years we were able to afford having the chimney stainless steel lined to the correct diameter for the Stove.
If you decide to buy is make sure it is UL certified because that is an Insurance company requirement. Next hard part is finding an Insurance company that will cover wood stoves. Mine gave a slight discount on the Premium because we had a second Inspection and he certified it to be legal and safe.

More good info. Thanks!

Warner

 

[FTG-05]

Tons of good info here:

http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/library.htm

https://woodheat.org

 

[biggziff]

No matter what you do, pay a local chimney sweep to perform a level II chimney inspection before you put a fire in it.

 

[Bretny]

Theres really not much to go wrong with old wood stoves becids the seals. There easy and cheap to change. They really are just a metal box you build a fire in. Chimneys are a whole other thing more concerning than the actual stove.

The problem i see with that one is it appears to look like the distance betwen the floor and chimney inlet looks low. This can really limit you on what other stoves you can put in there.

 

[yeldogt]

Chimneys need to be part of a proper pre check ... they need to be inspected. Post #18 is spot on .... most of the early inserts don't have liners. They use the existing chimney flue -- those inserts were everywhere in the 70's. Most fireplaces were for looks ... very few built in the 20th century were for heat .. you could overpower the flue.

 

[Mustang415]

Newer wood stoves are much more efficient. I see stoves like that at the scrapyard because insurance companies won't cover them. Not that there's anything wrong with them other than being out dated. You should go to a shop that sells wood stoves and enlighten yourself. I have a Pacific Energy wood stove. Excellent and efficient.

I have a stove in the shop and an insert in the house. The insurance company made me jump through hoops for the one in my garage but couldn’t care less about the one in the house.


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[Bretny]

Thats because most people dont store fuels in there living room