This is my second Hearthstone Heritage stove, and I am less than satisfied. It's all about the draft. Otherwise, all the great features you mention are much appreciated, which is why I bought a second one. The first stove (cast iron finally got burned out - no complaints) had a less finely engineered draft system, so it actually was controllable (separate top and bottom drafts and even a bi-metalic thermostat on the intake flapper). This one, now about 15-20 years old, has always required the loading door to remain ajar while starting (not really safe) and the little single slider draft valve (lower left, facing the front) is supposed to do it all (designed-in up/down airflow balance?) after the stove finally gets going. Most of the time over the years, after that fussy start-up effort, the draft does what it is supposed to, with the control range of the draft managing the burn rate reasonably reliably. Lately, though. The stove is even more fussy to start up, going out with the draft fully "open" after the 20 minute door-open period has a good fire started (even that is slower than usual). When a good fire is finally established, I can detect an even-less-than usual difference between fully open and fully closed draft settings, but fully open is required to burn up all the wood (mostly fir and maple, cut large, seasoned in a loose pile outside all summer and in the woodshed since before the rains started - same as the past 40 years). Also, the draft lever is not moving smothely any more. It pivots OK, but then disappears into some inaccessable space so I can't tell what the hang-up is. It does move full swing , though. The flu is clear, as when I (more often now) resort to opening the clean-out door, I get a roaring inferno; not safe, but satisfying after messing with the first hour or so of getting a fire started. Any ideas or explanations? Dean
I bought a Heritage 9 years ago and LOVE it. I use the side door to tend to my fire and light it. It is easy to maintain. I occasionally move the pipe to the side when the stove has totally cooled and vacuum out the top above the baffle and the fire box. I have only had to replace the baffle once and that was the only issues I have had with it. I find it pretty efficient and it radiates heat right through the night and is still warm come morning even if the fire has gone out. It burns best with dry hardwoods and a piece or two of cherry gets it burning real hot. Sometimes very dry wood burns too fast so I mix a small amount of greener wood in to extend the burn time. It’s very easy to adjust the damper on it and once you get to know the stove it’s really easy to light. It cost me a small fortune but it was well worth it and I consider it an investment.
Keeping the stove pipe clean is very important. We do that about every 6 -8 weeks. Cleaning it thoroughly inside at LEAST once a year is super important. I love mine too. Better than the rest!
The bad news is that the warranty applies only to the original purchaser. The good news is that in over 10 years selling these stoves the only warrantee claims we have received are for a door handle or at worst a baffle which costs only $45. You can always get a faster reply by emailing us at info@woodheatstovesdotcom Bruce
I have our family Hearthstone which we got around 1979. It's a little beat up by age and use, not as perfect as it was when new, but it's truly the heart of our home. I would even say it's now acquired a kind of personality. I love it, but some of my "acquired" relatives have issues with my devotion! I've had my share of cast iron stoves (3) and a fancy tin Victorian which looked like furniture...acted like a hot air furnace...burned skin at will .. I 💞 our Hearthstone. The top has cracked and broken in places and the baffles are not as they should be...I'd like it to carry on for another 40 years, but I no longer have a bill of sale. What to do? My son in law and I differ. He's used to cast iron.
I am so happy to have run across your comment. I am about to purchase a used stove 1990 Heritage and I am going to pick it up tomorrow. It will cost me $350. If it looks as good in person and it does in the pictures, I will bring it home. I do miss having a wood-burning stove, It's been 15 years and I need the emotional warmth as well as the physical. If you happen to see this post, wish me luck.
We have one too and are dissembling it now. It has a ton of cracked soapstone and is no longer safe to use. ours was only 18 years old when it died. its been sitting for a couple years
@@ashleybronaugh242 I am coming to terms with losing the mighty soapstone stove and mostly what it represented... It's a wonderful design but I guess it should be permanent.. in situ, with all the baffles ... Looks like a Vermont castings is in our future.
I purchased one of these stoves 15 years ago and still love it! Do you have a recommendation on how to clean that top shelf area above the wood burning compartment?
I have a similar model - no side loading. First time operating.... is there a way to control oxygen into the chamber so that you can manage the speed of burning/temp?
I have one that I’m using right now. I have all the papers for it, even the original bill of sale from 1982. I have no idea what the handle in back is supposed to do. Opens up a little silver flap. What is that. The knob above the side door opener, what is that to?
We bought a home and there is a stove already installed into fireplace. I think exactly like this one. What is the model number of this particular one?? Can’t find it! Help please :)
I have owned one of these for about 5 years. As of late, I have noticed an increased amount of dust in my home and the damper doesn't seem to work as well. To cut draft, I need to reduce the damper to almost full. Also, the baffle panel inside the stove has acquired a couple holes. Are there any kits you can buy to refurbish this stove?
I'm sorry that we can't help with referrals for licensed stove installation contractors since we only have installation services near our Northern California location. Your local stove shops should have installation services or refer you to qualified installers. Good Luck getting your new stove up and running. Sincerely, Bruce, Dave & Wood Heat Stoves & Solar crew
I might make a video on mine. How it fell apart and the dealer here won't help me. They say they say they never heard of the model. Don't know if I want to upgrade with that brand.
No offense, but saying that only Lopi & Vermont Castings make stoves as efficient is factually incorrect. Many other manufacturers make efficient stoves, such as Jotul and Hampton to name a few. I'm sure your friend's stove is great, but get your facts straight.
I agree. Jotul and Vermont Castings are super efficient and affordable. I'd take one in a heartbeat. To paraphrase Paul Newman's comment about fidelity, why go out for steak when you have filet mignon at home?! My hearthstone is filet mignon!
This is my second Hearthstone Heritage stove, and I am less than satisfied. It's all about the draft. Otherwise, all the great features you mention are much appreciated, which is why I bought a second one. The first stove (cast iron finally got burned out - no complaints) had a less finely engineered draft system, so it actually was controllable (separate top and bottom drafts and even a bi-metalic thermostat on the intake flapper). This one, now about 15-20 years old, has always required the loading door to remain ajar while starting (not really safe) and the little single slider draft valve (lower left, facing the front) is supposed to do it all (designed-in up/down airflow balance?) after the stove finally gets going. Most of the time over the years, after that fussy start-up effort, the draft does what it is supposed to, with the control range of the draft managing the burn rate reasonably reliably.
Lately, though. The stove is even more fussy to start up, going out with the draft fully "open" after the 20 minute door-open period has a good fire started (even that is slower than usual). When a good fire is finally established, I can detect an even-less-than usual difference between fully open and fully closed draft settings, but fully open is required to burn up all the wood (mostly fir and maple, cut large, seasoned in a loose pile outside all summer and in the woodshed since before the rains started - same as the past 40 years). Also, the draft lever is not moving smothely any more. It pivots OK, but then disappears into some inaccessable space so I can't tell what the hang-up is. It does move full swing , though. The flu is clear, as when I (more often now) resort to opening the clean-out door, I get a roaring inferno; not safe, but satisfying after messing with the first hour or so of getting a fire started.
Any ideas or explanations?
Dean
I have had one of these for 16 years now. Great stove nice even heat, no problems at all good quality. Highly recommend it.
I bought a Heritage 9 years ago and LOVE it. I use the side door to tend to my fire and light it. It is easy to maintain. I occasionally move the pipe to the side when the stove has totally cooled and vacuum out the top above the baffle and the fire box. I have only had to replace the baffle once and that was the only issues I have had with it. I find it pretty efficient and it radiates heat right through the night and is still warm come morning even if the fire has gone out. It burns best with dry hardwoods and a piece or two of cherry gets it burning real hot. Sometimes very dry wood burns too fast so I mix a small amount of greener wood in to extend the burn time. It’s very easy to adjust the damper on it and once you get to know the stove it’s really easy to light. It cost me a small fortune but it was well worth it and I consider it an investment.
Keeping the stove pipe clean is very important. We do that about every 6 -8 weeks. Cleaning it thoroughly inside at LEAST once a year is super important.
I love mine too. Better than the rest!
I bought one of these stoves best investment I ever made. Tax return is a great incentive
i was going to make the hearthpad with the tiles etc... and i decided to go with a piece of bluestone or stone. love the stove.
The bad news is that the warranty applies only to the original purchaser. The good news is that in over 10 years selling these stoves the only warrantee claims we have received are for a door handle or at worst a baffle which costs only $45. You can always get a faster reply by emailing us at info@woodheatstovesdotcom
Bruce
Wood Heat Stoves the bottom piece broke into 3 pieces in mine. I need to replace it but I’m not sure what the name of the part is?
Wish I'd known about the tax incentive 5 years ago!!!
I bought one of these due to this video.
I have our family Hearthstone which we got around 1979. It's a little beat up by age and use, not as perfect as it was when new, but it's truly the heart of our home. I would even say it's now acquired a kind of personality.
I love it, but some of my "acquired" relatives have issues with my devotion!
I've had my share of cast iron stoves (3) and a fancy tin Victorian which looked like furniture...acted like a hot air furnace...burned skin at will ..
I 💞 our Hearthstone.
The top has cracked and broken in places and the baffles are not as they should be...I'd like it to carry on for another 40 years, but I no longer have a bill of sale.
What to do?
My son in law and I differ. He's used to cast iron.
I am so happy to have run across your comment. I am about to purchase a used stove 1990 Heritage and I am going to pick it up tomorrow. It will cost me $350. If it looks as good in person and it does in the pictures, I will bring it home. I do miss having a wood-burning stove, It's been 15 years and I need the emotional warmth as well as the physical. If you happen to see this post, wish me luck.
We have one too and are dissembling it now. It has a ton of cracked soapstone and is no longer safe to use. ours was only 18 years old when it died. its been sitting for a couple years
@@ashleybronaugh242 I am coming to terms with losing the mighty soapstone stove and mostly what it represented...
It's a wonderful design but I guess it should be permanent.. in situ, with all the baffles ...
Looks like a Vermont castings is in our future.
I purchased one of these stoves 15 years ago and still love it! Do you have a recommendation on how to clean that top shelf area above the wood burning compartment?
I have a similar model - no side loading. First time operating.... is there a way to control oxygen into the chamber so that you can manage the speed of burning/temp?
I have one that I’m using right now. I have all the papers for it, even the original bill of sale from 1982. I have no idea what the handle in back is supposed to do. Opens up a little silver flap. What is that. The knob above the side door opener, what is that to?
We bought a home and there is a stove already installed into fireplace. I think exactly like this one. What is the model number of this particular one?? Can’t find it! Help please :)
Which models have reversible top or back flue collar? I'm looking for a wood stove to heat up 2600 Sq. Ft. but do not want a top flue collar.
how do u properly clean this stove i own one and cant't figure it out
Can you explain the damper? I don't think mine is working and I have no idea how to fix it.
Good question... Same problem
Will this do an overnight burn?
If I install this stove in a house with an 18 foot open beam ceiling will the stove draft and burn efficiently?
Have you got a ceiling fan? Turn it on low and on "down", that will move your warmth back to you on the sofa!
Burns good but just trying to figure out how the front upper brackets is supposed to fit
hey David,if the stove has a lifetime warranty, is the warranty transferable if i buy a used one?.
No probably not in the lifetime warranty depends on where you’re at state to state it can fluctuate
How do you clean everything? The air tubes and what not
I have owned one of these for about 5 years. As of late, I have noticed an increased amount of dust in my home and the damper doesn't seem to work as well. To cut draft, I need to reduce the damper to almost full. Also, the baffle panel inside the stove has acquired a couple holes. Are there any kits you can buy to refurbish this stove?
It's lifetime warranty so you purchase nothing ! They supply a new one on request.
just bought mine yesterday David, used but like new. a year old. now i need someone who install it. you know anyone in Connecticut?
I'm sorry that we can't help with referrals for licensed stove installation contractors since we only have installation services near our Northern California location. Your local stove shops should have installation services or refer you to qualified installers.
Good Luck getting your new stove up and running.
Sincerely,
Bruce, Dave & Wood Heat Stoves & Solar crew
Make sure you make a base that will hold it. They are heavy.... The guys that brought mine in broke many tiles in my foyer with their 2 wheeler.
I might make a video on mine. How it fell apart and the dealer here won't help me. They say they say they never heard of the model. Don't know if I want to upgrade with that brand.
How much is it?
Does McD's accept those "dollar bills" you tested with? looks fake like the green ones I get from bank
Mine will not draw air right and constantly smokes, glass is never clean. My Country Stove did a much better job!
It took some experimenting, now we're like an old married couple. Bicker, pick at, ahhh!
What???
I thought they vere made in spain ???
We had one in upstate new york . There was nothing i liked about it.
where do they get their soapstone from?
He said Brazil. I see soapstone in southern Oregon which is way more pretty. What can you tell us?
No offense, but saying that only Lopi & Vermont Castings make stoves as efficient is factually incorrect. Many other manufacturers make efficient stoves, such as Jotul and Hampton to name a few. I'm sure your friend's stove is great, but get your facts straight.
I agree. Jotul and Vermont Castings are super efficient and affordable. I'd take one in a heartbeat.
To paraphrase Paul Newman's comment about fidelity, why go out for steak when you have filet mignon at home?!
My hearthstone is filet mignon!