Hearthstone soapstone 1 Stove 1983. Should I buy it

I have the opportunity to purchase a used Soap stone Wood burner. It was purchased in 1983 and to be honest it looks brand new on the outside. What should I look for and how much is it worth. I have posted a couple of pictures. I know it doesn't have a caytalist but is such a good looking stove.  They replaced in 2009 because they said it put off to much heat for the space. And stored it in their basement.

Can you cook on the top?  I love our woodstove because we can cook on it as well as heat the house.

Tyler Ludens wrote:Can you cook on the top?  I love our woodstove because we can cook on it as well as heat the house.

They said the top should be at 450 degrees so yes you can cook on it however they suggest a metal grate that lays on the soap stone so you don't scratch it up.

That stove is beautiful.  I would love to have it.  No idea what it is worth however.

I'm not an expert but I'd look for any metal fatigue inside the firebox, or if there is stone inside the firebox I'd look for cracking or spalling, signs of degredation.  I'd examine the outside closely to see if there are any signs of smoke residue where it shouldn't be, especially at the joints, or cracks in the stones or seams.  Make sure all handles and flaps for the flue and air supply are working or repairable, door hinges and latches working and tight.
Things like fiberglass gaskets on the doors can easily be replaced, other items might have to be custom built.
It looks like a beautiful stove, I'd look at the cost vs. my bank statement vs. my dwelling size.
I'd also look at the stove they replaced it with, if it looks like it has a higher output I'd be suspicious, maybe it doesn't put out as much heat as they are suggesting or maybe it isn't efficient enough.
I'd look at the calendar before I make a counter offer, Spring favors a buyer for a woodstove.
Then I'd probably look for my 3 biggest friends to help me carry it out of the basement, it looks heavy.

It is a beautiful stove and likely well-made, as the manufacturer was and is highly respected in the industry.  What are your goals for the stove?  primary home heating?  supplemental heating?  Have you heated with wood before?  How large is your house, and what are your winters like?
The concern I would have with these "pre-EPA" (prior to the early 1990s) is they really weren't designed to burn efficiently.  Hence they would overheat a room when a blazing fire was built.  It was hard to run them low and slow without billowing black smoke (and BTUs) out the chimney.  There is a good discussion forum here if you want advice on that particular model https://www.hearth.com/talk/forums/classic-wood-stove-forums-prior-to-approx-1993.19/
What is the asking price?  Modern, efficient stoves sell for $800 (NC Englander) to $3500 (Woodstock and Blaze King)

Milo,
What a great, thoughtfull post. What do you do for a living? Brain engagement is involved, for sure!

Hi Roy,

Welcome to Permies.

Given the pictures available, I would buy if the price was right.   It would be nice to see pictures of the inside.

John F Dean wrote:Given the pictures available, I would buy if the price was right.   It would be nice to see pictures of the inside.

I bought our cookstove when it was already 30 years old, and the seller seemed knowledgeable about using and maintaining them. It took one season of daily use for me to learn how to treat it properly and to realize that the original owner had not. Permanent damage was done. In hindsight, I should have looked closer at the inside of the stove, but I would not have known what to look for. Some of the things the seller said to me would have been red flags to someone who knew about cast iron cookstoves. Finding someone familiar with the type of stove you're considering buying and asking them to look it over would be wise.
I still love our Waterford Stanley, but it's had a rough life.

Is it still available I would buy it can you give me a call at 314-393-1730 my name is Rob

I have this same stove I don't know much about them but I know I have my windows open all winter because it gets hot.  In mine there is a tube with like a registere. Not sure if it's for water to help not dry the house out. I'm trying to find information about it. It's the same  model as in the pictures

I have the same stove identical to yours.  The stone is starting to break on the back side so this will be the last year I can burn with it till I fix it. Need parts for it.hopeing it's not to much to fix