years. Most of these stoves resemble the primitive box heaters produced by the Pennsylvania Dutch in the early 1800s. For. a while, as oil scarcity and higher fuel prices hit th~ news, it seemed that every energetic welder with an empty garage was turning out stoves. As competition increases, more of these people are disappearing. Ludicrous claims such as "100 Year Guarantee," "Lifetime Warranty" and "the most efficient stove in the world" lead knowledgeable people to look elsewhere fo~ quality stoves. It is interesting to note that some of the "100 Year Guarantee" stoves already have warped sides, leaky-doors, inoperable draft controls and no guarantor · in sight. Qne major consideration for any heating stove should be that the firebox be large enough to accommodate the wood you have available. To use ~ower grade wood (i.e., woods with lower BTU per cord heating values, such as fir, pine and • alder), a very large firebox is nece~sary if you plan to keep the fire burning all night. Attention to this when buying will ,keep you from having to restart the fire every mornin~ in a - cold home. • Efficie~cy of all wood heaters depends heavily upon having airtight door openings. This is usually accomplished by using cast doors, door frames and asbestos gaskets. I would suggest ·being leery of any stove having sheet steel doors or welded do@r frames. They tend to warp and develop unco_ntrollable air leaks which lower a stove's efficiency. ·' In all of the above, I have ignored the finest quality wood Dec 1975 RAIN Page 5 • heating stoves. The various Scandinavian stoves boast the best looks and highest quality of any stoves in the world. For the Pacific Northwest, these stoves have a limited use as their fireboxes are.very small. We would need higher quality woods, such as oak, maple, hickory or ash, or smaller houses to heat, or both, in order realistically to select these fine heaters. Availability is not good as no importer dr jobber has been set up with a regularly purchasable inventory. One of the most confusing facets of the wood stove business is the lack of reliable quality and efficiency statistics. This means you must rely upori the knowledge and honesty of the person selling you a stove. Normally, a person who sells only one kind of stove, or who specializes in modern decorative cone fireplaces, is less likely to be able to advise you about heating equipment. Perhaps, if you're lucky, a.traditional hardware store might have a variety to show you. A point to think-about in making your final decision about your 'new stove should be, "What's the_:ivailability of parts for the 20-year-old st'ove?" Some companies such as Ashley, Wash- _, ington Stove Works and Locke Stove Company take good care of their old customers. Some stove manufacturers did not exist five years'ago, and there is no way to tell. The price of the stove ypu buy should include access to the help, knowledge and acc~ssories necessary for a safe stove in- : stallation. In other words, it's more.important to pick the' • place to buy before settling upori a particular ·stove. • Bill Day. WOOD HEAT STOVE COMPARISON CHART Ratings go f{om a lo~ 'of one star to a'liigh of five. Firebox Dimensions Firebox Manufacturer Bran~ Model# HxWxD Liners Finish Price _Rating Comments Martin Ashley C60 23 X 14 X 29 1" Brick' Paint $430 ••• Good quality stove, sold through Industries I a reliable distribution system, parts available, well engin_eered Martin Ashley \ ·,.C62 19-1/2 X 13-1/2 Cast iron Paint $370 ••• Same as above, but smaller Industries X 23 United States Wonderwood 726 Not available 1" Brick Patit $330 • Poorly assembled stove, sheet Stove Co. I steel door and frame,; lightweight construction, similar to Sears 8405N J Autocrat Autocrat 6724 22-7 /8 X 14-1/2 1''. Brick Paint $314 ••• Medium quality stove, uses Corporation X 25-1/4 Ashley type th~rmostat • I Autocrat Autocrat FF65 22 X 15-1/2 X 28-1/4 Cast iron Paint $380 •• Same as above. Loads from Corporation front, develops main\ena,nce • problems with front-loading:' door hinge Martin King 7801B 18-3/4 X 14-?/8 1" Brick Porcelain $325 •••• Good quality stove, will mainIndustries X 25-1/4 tain appearance for long period, I parts available ? Sears Roebuck 8405N 24-1 /2 X 10-1/2 1" Brick Paint $230 • Poor-quality stove, sheet steel X 24-1/2 door and door frame, lightweight construction, poorly assembled ? Montgomery 5710 ? X 1 3 X 2 5-1 /2 Cast iron Paint $270 • Poor quality stove, rough castWard ings, front loading door, poorly assembled ? X 13-3/4 X 123-1/2 Cast iron Paint $235 • . Same as above, but end loading ? Montgomery 5718 ! Ward / I Locke Stove Warm 701B i3-1/2 X 10-1/2 2" Brick Porcelain $4~0 ••••• Excellent quality, extra heavy . . Morning X 29-1/2 grates and firebox liners, finest doors and gaskets, long lasting . appearance, automatic thermg~ stat is easier to adjust
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