info on soapstone stoves

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We are looking for info on soapstone wood burning stoves. We have only heard about them and I am not sure I am even spelling it right! Any info would be appreciated.

-- Mike/Debbie Robinson (finland99@excite.com), March 13, 2001

Answers

I have a soapstone woodstove. I bought mine locally. It takes a while to heat up, but once it is hot it stays warm for overnight if you put a couple of big pieces on it and then shut the draft. Watch the stone though. It does scratch easily and will retain water stains.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), March 14, 2001.

When you go after one, take lots of money.

-- Joe (jcole@apha.com), March 14, 2001.

Woodstock Soapstone Co., Inc. 1-888-664-8188 66 Airpark Road Dept. 1086 West Lebanon, NH 03784-1683 www.woodstove.com I am sure that there are other outlets but just happened to run on to this one. Hope this helps. Jean

-- Jean (kjean@i-rule.net), March 17, 2001.

Woodstock has a catalytic combustor. I see this as a big disadvantage over Hearthstone brand which uses hi-tech manifold air tubes to meet clean burn requirements. The catalyst type has a lot more maintenance and has numerous other disadvantages. You would be much happier without one in your stove. I have 27 yrs of woodburning experience and once owned a stove with a catalyst. Never again.

-- martin j colucci (pcolucci@rochester.rr.com), December 30, 2001.

It depends whether your are looking for a decorative effect from soapstone or real heat retention capability. It takes 0.23 BTU to heat one pound of soapstone by one degree F. 100 lbs of soapstone heated from 70°F to 400°F holds 7590 BTUs. That is the equivalent of two 100 W light bulbs burning for 11 hours. Not much heat. You need at least 1000 lbs of soapstone to keep the house warm during the day if you fire in the morning, or over night if you fire in the evening. Try Willach (soapstones.com). They make models in the 1200 to 2500 lbs range.

-- Peter Borberg (borberg@pacbell.net), January 12, 2002.


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