Review: Dutchwest Cast Iron Small 2460
Overall Performance:
Efficiency:
Ease of Use:
Dutchwest Cast Iron Small 2460
Live in upstate NY. Burn about 7 - 8 face cords of well seasoned mostly white ash per season that I cut and split. Stove performs fine. Side loading door is a plus.
Inner top cracked after about 7 years of use so that cat combuster ineffective. Found a replacement locally and had a wood stove "expert" replace the inner top ass'y. I will do it myself if it happens again. Not a difficult task. Just move the stove outside and take it apart and re-cement all the joints putting it back together.
Had puffing problems but found that that steel grate just below the cat combuster, above the fire, was packed with an accumalated red brick type compound. It was preventing a good flow of exhaust air out the stove pipe. Took the cat off and with a screwdriver, was able to remove most of that red stuff. Worked OK after that.
Every year when I clean the stove pipe, I also clean that steel grate. Found an easier way. With the top off and cat removed, I was able to remove the three 1/4 - 20 bolts holding the grate in and just pulled it out of the stove for cleaning. I use stainless steel bolts for easier removal. Good for another year.
I have never used that vent control on the left side of the stove. I keep it closed. I could not detect any change in performance with it closed or open a little. Anybody have any luck with it.
Never have had a problem starting the stove or smoke leaking out when reloading unless I forget to open the main damper.
Nice stove but if now made in China, that is disappointing.
Hope this helps. Jolly.