evaluating wood stoves on craigs list

[rieferman]

I'm considering adding a wood stove to my woodshop heating plan. I have lots of scraps available as well as split mixed hardwoods for good prices (we burn inside the house too, so we have logs anyways), so it is a good addition to my Dayton G73.

Craigs list is stocked full with various wood stoves... But how to evaluate them?

Any advice on brands, features, materials, anything else, to look at when browsing those listings?

 

[larry_g]

I would check the local codes first. Some stoves are now outlawed to install. So if you care make sure that you have an up to date stove to be legal. That said I have a newer Lopi stove that we have been using for 2 years. It works fine but I would prefer to have my old box style stove. The old stove I could smother the fire if I chose or run it hot enough to cook on. This new stove is double wall and just does not get as hot and I cannot smother the fire if I wish. If buying a used stove check for rust in the combustion chamber, good seal on the door, and if it requires outside air for combustion.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[mobetta]

look for a UL tag on it.

 

[burleymike]

The newer emissions compliant stoves will not cause you any code headaches but they do need a chimney that meets the manufacturers requirements usually a minimum of 12'-15', very dry wood, and they cannot be turned down like the old stoves to smolder all day long. The newer stoves do however use less wood, make a lot less creosote and if burned properly no visible smoke.

For a garage or shop if you have a ton of free wood that is not perfectly seasoned you might not care about how much wood it uses vs being able to choke the fire down and let it burn super slow. Pre EPA stoves are less picky about how seasoned the wood is and chimney height. If you decide on a pre EPA stove or a compliant stove just be sure it is UL listed.

Look for cracked welds, warped steel, and gasket condition. If it is a catalytic stove you may very well need to buy a new catalytic combustor depending on how many hours the existing combustor has on it and how it was operated.

 

[Underdog]

I would check the local codes first. Some stoves are now outlawed to install.

If I ever get the urge to move up north where I would need a wood stove, it sure as heck would be a place, state , county, town where I would not need a permit to install a "Wood Stove".