buying woodstove

[SPANKYDOODLE]

I am going to look at a used woodstove. It is a Steel King-winter knight is written on the doors. It's free standing, and has an ash pan underneath. Was Steel King a good brand?
and what it particular should I be looking at beside rust? Thanks

[Silvercreek Farmer]

I am not familiar with the brand even though I have seen a lot of stoves. You might do a search at hearth.com. I would say at minimum look for a stove that is airtight, usually indicated by a rope-like gasket around the door. Sometimes it is missing but there is a channel for one. They are easily replaceable so if it is missing it is no big deal. Surface rust is no big deal, you can wire brush it, hit it with high temp paint and you are good to go, just make sure the stove is solid, too much rust or heavy use will ruin the fire box, it should be able to take a good whack from a piece of stove wood with no ill effects.