Century S250 vs Drolet Escape 1200: The Best Alternative (2026)
Heads up: Century Heating has discontinued the S250 (model CB00025). The closest current equivalent is the Drolet Escape 1200, built by the same parent company (SBI) on the same platform.
Spec-for-spec, this is the same stove — under a current brand
The Century S250 and the Drolet Escape 1200 are corporate siblings from Stove Builder International (SBI), and the published numbers are identical down to the decimal: same 1.8 ft³ firebox (1.55 ft³ EPA loading), same 45,000 BTU/h maximum output, same 12,124–26,700 BTU/h operating range, same 5-hour burn, same 74% HHV efficiency. The Escape 1200 is that platform in Drolet's current lineup:
| Spec | Century S250 | Drolet Escape 1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued | Current model |
| Firebox (overall / EPA loading) | 1.8 ft³ / 1.55 ft³ | 1.8 ft³ / 1.55 ft³ |
| Max heat output | 45,000 BTU/h | 45,000 BTU/h |
| Efficiency (HHV) | 74% | 74% |
| Max burn time | 5 h | 5 h |
| Mobile home / alcove | Approved | Approved |
| Flue size | 6" | 6" |
| Warranty | Limited 5 years | Limited Lifetime |
| Price today | No longer sold by Century | $1,129 — free shipping, no sales tax |
Our recommendation
Buy the Drolet Escape 1200. You're getting the same SBI firebox and the same heating performance the S250 delivered — but as a current model with a Limited Lifetime warranty and a full parts pipeline, instead of leftover stock of a discontinued 5-year-warranty unit.
Completing the install
Like the S250, the Escape 1200 runs a 6" flue — existing Century-spec chimney diameters carry over. We stock 6" single-wall stove pipe, double-wall connector pipe, and hearth pads. Verify clearances against the Escape 1200's installation manual before reusing an existing pipe run.
Specifications sourced from SBI's published data for each model. Century Heating and Drolet are trademarks of Stove Builder International Inc. StoveSource is an authorized dealer of Drolet products.