Wood stove replacement help!

[bae]

My trusty Vermont Castings Vigilant wood stove just cracked.

Looking for any advice on modern-production wood stoves about that size that are decent. All help appreciated.

Also, has anyone had any experience with successfully repairing a crack, long-term? Seems to me that thermal cycling would cause the cat iron to continue cracking around any braze/well repair, but I’m not good at this particular sort of thing.

[catherine]

I don't have advice, but I just want to say that I love Vermont Castings. One year Home Depot distributed one of their gas grills and I bought it for my husband for Father's Day. While he was playing golf with my kids I assembled it and it's been working great ever since (must be at least 10-15 years ago). Maybe call them up and ask them for advice?

If you decide to replace, what about a masonry heater? They're supposedly the most efficient.

[Williamsmith]

I have always been partial to Jotl Wood Stoves.

[Tybee]

We have had a Vermont Castings and a Lopi. Also a very small Jotul that was my favorite, but it was very old from a cabin that was on our property. We bought a Quadrafire at a yard sale but it's still sitting out in the shed until we decide if we are moving.
I guess I'd be tempted to try a larger Jotul. Although what about those Finnish ones that are the masonry in the corner? I have never had one, but you could do the labor to try that kind, and you have connections in Finland.
I have also been tempted by the Waterford cookstoves at Lehmans. They are supposed to heat the house, too.

[Tenngal]

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