Vermont castings wood burning stoves... are you happy with them?

Question

I'm shopping around for a non catalytic wood stove... and can get the Vermont castings line at a discount. I'm considering between the Resolute Acclaim or the Encore. If you have one, can you tell me which you have and if you're happy with its performance... does the enamel finish hold up well... is the ash pan easy to clean out... does it really heat the capacity it states... and any other specifics that would matter. Even if you have complaints, I'd like to hear about it... so that I can make an informed decision.

Answer 1

i bought an american harvest corn burning stove. with corn you can heat your home in the midwest for about 80 dollars a year.
but they are expensive. and you have to be able to store and transpot th corn, if you buy it in bags it is too expensive, just get it from farmers for less thatn 2 dollars a bushel (60lbs) it takse 40lbs or less to heat on very cold days so figure a worst case senario of

120 days of heating @ 40lbs a day 4800lbs / 60lbs = 80 bushel
80bushel @ $2 a bushel(high price) is $160 per season

compare that to 120 dollars a month for nat gas, i dont know what a cord of wood cost, but it takes up more room then corn for sure.
hope this helps

btw i paid $1700 for my stove

Answer 2

I have a dutch west line of vermont castings, but it is catalytic. However I am very pleased with its performance. also good resale value if it doesn't work best for your home.