Least expesive pellet stove(not insert)?

Depends on what you consider cheap - cost, quality, longevity all account in the definition of "cheap". The big box stores likely have cheap stoves but I don't know what their longevity would be. You may want to look at other sources such as online posts, ebay(if listing is in your area), pennysaver, or even your local stove shop. The local stove shop may have units that people have traded in for upgrades which can be purchased for substancial discount. Also some have end of season sales. I could have purchased a Mt Vernon off the floor last spring that was used as a demo for $2100 - if you do some shopping you'll see that this was a deal I shouldn't have passed up (regrettably).....

Lowes for less than $1100 new.
Parts are easy to find and it puts out around 40;000 btu with the right fuel.

Same price at HD. Seemd like a good basic stove, and I know people who have them. Those people are very happy.

The stove doesn't have the automation that some have, the most obvious one that I'm aware of is the auto start. I believe the method of start is to use the gel, but once it's going, they work fine.

I wouldn't say it's the best looking stove around, but if basic heat is the goal, it fits the bill.