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Overall Rating:

4 / 5

Good product,

April 16, 2008

By houseof6

from Oakland, MD

"I have been very please with our stove. It heats well, does not burn through the wood quickly, and is safe around kids. I have found the quality exceptional. I would caution against buying the fan that is recommended with it. The fan that goes in the flu is much more practical and does a better job of pushing the heat into the room."

What is your level of technical expertise? Beginner

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Overall Rating:

5 / 5

wood burner,

January 17, 2008

By Roy56

"purchased in Oct of 2006. this is our second winter using it. have no other heat and this wood burner is all we need! Lasts well into the morning when filled before bed. Live in Colorado it is -9 this morning."

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Overall Rating:

5 / 5

Even Heat vg820e,

November 16, 2007

By NHman

from NH USA

"This simple design and straightforward operation gives ample even well controlled heat. Stoked (wood) 4 times a day or so keeps our 2100 square foot house warm from basement to second story (distribution fans used) with outside temperatures below zero, and doesn't heat us out of the house when its in the 40's. I also went with the Magic Heat reclaimer, (provided a good boost and more efficient use of energy.) In the past we have had 2 other stoves with nearly identical design and have been pleased for the same reasons, in 3 different houses, and areas. Best stove I ever had, planning to sell our old stove to the highest bidder.."

What is your level of technical expertise? Home Handyman

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Overall Rating:

5 / 5

A more reliable stove,

October 16, 2007

By John03585

from Lisbon, NH

"I have a 6 room log cabin which I heat with one stove in the basement. I use 5-6 cords of wood a year. We typically have an average of 9 nights per year where the temperature falls below 30 degrees below zero, so I have to heat the house 100 degress above the outside temperature on the coldest nights.
In the past I've tried a high efficiency catalitic converter stove (Vermont Castings -Dutchwest series), but the catalitic converter ran at 1400 to 1700 degrees and the heat eroded all the way through the 1/2" cast iron in about 15 cords of wood (and destroyed the stove).
I've tried a High efficiency Non-catalitic stove (Wolf Industries - Napolean series) which ran at about 1000 degrees and in about 15 cords of wood the stove had warped enough from the large temperature swings that the stove was useless. The stove loved to turn a load of wood into a pile of charcoal which would sit for hours and not give off much heat. It really couldn't maintain a high heat output for more than about 40% of the time. On really cold days I had to shovel out most of the charcoal (throwing it away) and refill with fresh wood to get enough high heat out of the stove.
This VG820E (more old-fangled stove) burns much cooler (400-600 degress) and with the thermostatically controlled damper it maintains a constant temperature until the wood is burned up. The air enters the stove at the bottom so it doesn't create a pile of charcoal. With the thermostatically controlled damper I don't have to worry about the stove overheating when I leave the house or go to bed. Although the firebox looks thin, its made of stainless steal and will stand up to constant use.
I added a "magic heat" extractor to the stove pipe and that increases significantly the amount of heat that is put into the house."

What is your level of technical expertise? Home Handyman

6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

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