Riley stoves vs Four dog stoves

[Bubblehide]

Well, after going with the Riley over the Four Dog a year ago, I'm back on the market for a stove. Just came back from a trip with the Riley and it smoked us out of the tent a few times. I always wondered why there were small holes at the seam along the top of the stove, as well as gaps around the door, but it had not been an issue in the first few burns I did with it.

This time, however, it failed us big time, and we had to end up sleeping with no heat in 14 deg. lows. due to the smoke it was puffing out continuously in the tent.

Judging from the Four Dog website, it looks like maybe Don is not making the titaniums right now? Does anybody have any recommendations for a stove in similar weight categories as these? Preferably with a good seal.

I've have a few Riely stoves and have used them for a few decades. What you describe can only be user error (no offense intended). Something had to be blocking the airflow out of the stove. It happened to me once in all the time I've used Riley stoves, and it was a broken dampner in the stove pipe, looking like it was open, but it was nonfunctional and closed inside the stove pipe. It was a simple fix of just removing it and not having a stove pipe damper for that trip.

I've never used a Four Dog stove, so I can't comment on them or compare efficiency.

 

[Pelagic]

I got one from A metal works, he is making the old 4 dog stoves.

A Metal Werks

ametalwerks.com

Interesting. Thanks for sharing the site. Looks like he doesn’t have the titanium stoves listed though. Only the steel. Any idea if he is doing those as well as the steel?

 

[cmahoney]

No he just makes the steel ones


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[Pelagic]

What you describe can only be user error (no offense intended). Something had to be blocking the airflow out of the stove.

I assumed user error as well, and haven’t completely ruled it out. But assuming it was something I was doing, I double checked the chimney cap and spark arrestor at the top of the stack, as well as made sure the damper was lined up right to be open, confirming this after I took the chimney apart. The only other thing I can think of was that the creosote was a little thicker than typical, but certainly nowhere near thick enough to block any airflow.

 

[Bubblehide]

I assumed user error as well, and haven’t completely ruled it out. But assuming it was something I was doing, I double checked the chimney cap and spark arrestor at the top of the stack, as well as made sure the damper was lined up right to be open, confirming this after I took the chimney apart. The only other thing I can think of was that the creosote was a little thicker than typical, but certainly nowhere near thick enough to block any airflow.

That sounds odd. You can get smoked out from closing the damper on the stove, as it is then unable to draw air and exhaust the smoke out the pipe; or a blockage in the stove pipe trapping the smoke in the stove, to leak out as it can, based on design. I put metal mesh on my chimney top and carry a stainless brush to clean it periodically. However, if the damper in the chimney pipe is broken, it can appear to be lined up properly and venting, when it is physically in the closed position inside the pipe. The only way to truelt know iui s to remove that section of pipe (when it's cool enough) and visually inspect it. I go a step further and remove the dampner to inspect it. Over time thay can rust, heat stress or a combination of the 2 and become dysfunctional. Some guys use a bowl shaped piece of metal mesh inside the pipe than can become clogged. It is important to periodically inspect and clean then, as often as daily depending on wood quality and volume burnt.

 

[406flyfish]

Don is only currently producing the titanium stoves.. I just received mine. Figured he won’t be making them for too much longer so I pulled the trigger.

He has outsourced the steel versions to Metal Werks. Don has even stated he believes George (Metal Werks) is producing better quality stoves than when he was building them. Call George and ask about the Hybrid Mule. Not sure if it’s currently in production, but it’s part metal and part titanium.


I’d call Riley Stoves ask him About the issue you’re encountering. I’m sure he could give you a straight answer. Super nice guy and excellent customer service.

 

[Trackselk]

Well, after going with the Riley over the Four Dog a year ago, I'm back on the market for a stove. Just came back from a trip with the Riley and it smoked us out of the tent a few times. I always wondered why there were small holes at the seam along the top of the stove, as well as gaps around the door, but it had not been an issue in the first few burns I did with it.

This time, however, it failed us big time, and we had to end up sleeping with no heat in 14 deg. lows. due to the smoke it was puffing out continuously in the tent.

Judging from the Four Dog website, it looks like maybe Don is not making the titaniums right now? Does anybody have any recommendations for a stove in similar weight categories as these? Preferably with a good seal.

I have seen something similar before with a different brand of stove, and it turned out to be wood that was high in sap (pitch, ember, w/e), and moisture. It created 'liquid creasote' that drained down the chimney onto the stove top. I woke up in a smoke filled tent, could have died...
I told my buddy these little stoves need DRY wood from the south face, but he knows everything and got the wood from the wrong side of the ridge top. Luckily for him he left before it smoked me out...
I don't feed stoves at night anymore, but then I'm only dealing with 10-15degree low typically.
FWIW

 

[ADKHTR]

Don is only currently producing the titanium stoves.. I just received mine. Figured he won’t be making them for too much longer so I pulled the trigger.

He has outsourced the steel versions to Metal Werks. Don has even stated he believes George (Metal Werks) is producing better quality stoves than when he was building them. Call George and ask about the Hybrid Mule. Not sure if it’s currently in production, but it’s part metal and part titanium.


I’d call Riley Stoves ask him About the issue you’re encountering. I’m sure he could give you a straight answer. Super nice guy and excellent customer service.

Is he still making them if you call? On the website it looks like he is not taking orders, but it’s been like that forever, how long was the turnaround time if you don’t mind, I’m in no hurry, just curious, I have the Ametalwerks stove and it’s awesome, but I want one of Don’s as well! Fyi I still haven’t used my Kaitum 2GT if you need it back lol!