rona
Minister of Fire
I have a kit in gold or nickel for a PC45 for sale I think they will fit a 43 also but you could check that. These are new never used.
I would second the idea of waiting to buy. Right now is a poor time of the year to buy as you have been looking at high fuel and thinking anything is better.
I would stay away from the lower priced stoves. If you look at Craigs list you will see used stoves for sale. Lots of times they come from people who bought the box-store cheapies and found out why they were cheap and now want to dump them.
Do you have friends that own pellets stoves visit them and find out what they like and don't like about their stoves. Everyone has certain needs or desires when they look at a stove.
How big of a house do you have and what do you expect the stove to heat?
Are you home morning and night to fill the hopper and dump ashes when needed?
Do you want auto ignition, auto cleaning of the pot or are you willing to shut it down and clean the pot then manually relight it. You can buy a stove and push the button to start, set the temp desired and fill the 105lb hopper or dump ashes on the go leaving it run for up to 3 weeks before you have to shut down to clean.
Do you want a thermostat controlled unit?
Do you want a stove you can control via your smart phone or computer at work?
How elaborate do you want to get?
Are you a do it yourself person or do you call a repairman all the time?
I have heard several people buy a cheap box store stove and after a year replace it with a Harman but never heard of a person sell their Harman and buy a cheap box store unit.
Each person has different needs and most stoves have a strong point and maybe some weaker ones. It is up to you to figure out what you need ahead of time.
A good dealer is important but it is up to you to buy what is right for you and learn how it works. Your dealer should be able to show you how to take it apart to clean it if you ask. Educate yourself before you start shopping.
Keep in mind that we all have different needs for a stove. Some have a large fuel hopper 105 lbs some only have 50lbs. some have no ash drawer, Some you have to shut down to clean the pot. Others do it automatically. None of them are maintenance free.
How important is that dealer or company warranty? There are companies that sell replacement parts to fit pellet stoves such as igniters, convection fans and combustion fans. This means you could rebuild a stove if you wanted to without needing a dealer .
Harman was bought out by the same company that owns Quadra Fire.
I said we all have different needs in a stove. My first was a Harman PC45. Burned corn or pellets a good stove but to small for my needs. Next was a Quad AE. The AE and I parted company after a year of frustration.
I ended up with a Bixby from E-Bay for half price. No warranty and no dealer support so a do it yourself stove. But its been very dependable and once you understand how it works not much to do except keep hopper full and ash drawer empty. It was made in USA which is a rarity these days.
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