I actually did look at my first ridgewood stove yesterday and imo you get what you pay for. The stove works fine im sure but they don't even compare to any other stove above them. Exposed pump, door handle is a bitch, flapper door with lots of creosote blocking it up from closing tight tc. Once again im sure it works great but compared to my burnrite it can't come eeven close for quality.
I've never seen someone as all over the map on a topic. You started bad mouthing these, then said you wished you'd have bought one, then you had two that caught fire, now you're bad mouthing them again, and saying this is the first time you've ever seen one. And, all in this one thread. Wow. Funny stuff. Door latch ain't all that bad, check out Portage and Main's latch. There's one that will make you work for it. Exposed pumps? Can't see mine. Never saw creosote keep door from closing, but I know it will stick closed from creosote. I've told several people about this, its not a big deal. Keep a putty knife handy, scraping it when built up takes 30 seconds. Maintenance. Easier than sweeping a chimney! Heck, I also have to clean the windows on my truck. That mean the truck is junk? I'm sure they all have their own little quirks, if everyone is honest. I was actually going to build one last year, but I ran out of time, so I bought one. I figure its just as good as I would have built, without any learning curves. And for what I have into it, it does what I want it to do, I have no complaints at all. In one season the entire install has paid for itself. What possible reason could one give me, as to why I would want to spend 10k+ for a "better" big name unit? Efficiency? I know guys with big name units that are burning just as much wood as I am. Durability? My cousin has a big name unit that just sprang a leak. They are not above problems either. Are there features on high dollar ones that make them better? I suppose. But double the money better? I highly doubt it. These things are simply not that technologically advanced. They heat water with a wood fire. I'm happy with mine. You seem happy with yours. I don't recall ever reading any on going problems with these units. And, the few major things I've read about, it sounds like Craig stepped up and made them right. Why the nay saying against Ridgewood? Just curious.