BRECKWELL ?? feedback please

Breckwell was or is carried at Lowes. They are a good stove in the box store class but you can really feel how cheaply they are made when you start touching and playing with them. They are a small step up from Englander. I have toyed around with the idea of getting them in our shop but then I remember that we have to service them, we can hit box-store prices and provide the same level of customer service people expect from a quality hearth shop.

hwdemers said:

Breckwell was or is carried at Lowes.

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Breckwell is a dealer only brand. It is not sold at Lowes, HD or TSC. The factory is in Eugene Oregon. Al ,the man who started Breckwell in the early 80's, is still designing the stoves up in OR. The parent company and sales team is located in South Pittsburg TN. The old Upland 207 pellet stove is now re branded under the Breckwell name as well.

hwdemers said:

They are a small step up from Englander.

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As far as how well they are made..... They use the same fans, pressure switches and ignitors as Napoleon, Quadrafire, Englander and Danson do. The same motors as Napoleon and Quadrafire. Those are "wearable" parts in pellet stoves so so I guess the assumption can be drawn they are on the same "level".

hwdemers said:

I remember that we have to service them, we can hit box-store prices and provide the same level of customer service people expect from a quality hearth shop.

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Anyone who is NFI certified or a decent tech can repair/work on any pellet unit made.

Pascal: Quelles marques vendez-vous maintenant?

Owen1508 said:

Anyone who is NFI certified or a decent tech can repair/work on any pellet unit made.

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yes that is true, it just has been my experience that the necessity to do so is more frequent, my post was intended to share my thoughts, brecwells have a low margin and a low ticket price (this in and of it self dose not indicate it is substandard) so when it comes time to "make it right" with your customer, it becomes harder to do so

Owen1508 said:

As far as how well they are made..... They use the same fans, pressure switches and ignitors as Napoleon, Quadrafire, Englander and Danson do. The same motors as Napoleon and Quadrafire. Those are "wearable" parts in pellet stoves so so I guess the assumption can be drawn they are on the same "level".

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OK, again I agree some part are the same and again it just has been my experience that Breckwell stoves do have more frequent problems than the other brands you listed (except for englander) we do a trade in program every year and every year we refurbish a few and in all fairness they are the better of the cheap stoves

and the lowes thing I would have bet you money I saw one in there last year or the year before, my apologies if that is not correct.

After re reading my initial post, it did come out harsh, but for me and my businesses not a good fit.

Both companys owned by USSC.Only ever worked on a few older breckwells,so cannot reply on quality.I believe vogelzang are imported.Have to agree with hwdermers,they are sold in box stores/etc..Are both sold by northern tool,although sometimes listed as ussc stoves instead of other names.Depending on what else you sell they may give you another price range to offer.

bob bare said:

Both companys owned by USSC.Only ever worked on a few older breckwells,so cannot reply on quality.I believe vogelzang are imported.Have to agree with hwdermers,they are sold in box stores/etc..Are both sold by northern tool,although sometimes listed as ussc stoves instead of other names.Depending on what else you sell they may give you another price range to offer.

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Vogelzangs are sold at Northern Tool as well as USSC. But Breckwell never have been sold in box stores or northern tool. If they are listed as USSC stoves then they are not Breckwell. The models of breckwell have been the same for almost 20 years. Now I will say the Drolet sold at northern tool is similar in looks to a Breckwell, but different companies so not the same stove. In fact Timber Ridge, USSC and Drolet all have a stoves that look almost identical. But Breckwell is still Breckwell and still being made by the same guy who started the company in OR. and not being sold in any box store. I think Sutherlands may have carried Breckwell for a while, Northern Tool never has.

hwdemers said:

and the lowes thing I would have bet you money I saw one in there last year or the year before, my apologies if that is not correct.
.

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I think Pelpro and Timber Ridge both make a model that looks just like a Big E from Breckwell

Heres the Pelpro that even the logo looks like a Breckwell and it is almost a twin to the Big E

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200621644_200621644

OK.But I think it is just like the old ford-mercury format.What are the differences in an spg9000 an a apg9000 besides name and trim?

OK so are engender and summers heat different stoves?



go to breckwells website it is clear that ussc and breckwell are under the same umbrella. while that dose not make them identical, ( vista flame vs enviro, both Sherwood industries both different quality) it dose further confirm in my mind at least that the Lowes in my town could have potentially carried them, but ether way that is partially irrelevant as my original point was just to advise the op to carefully consider taking on any new lines.

The point is if you own a Breckwell and call USSC to order a part they will make you go to a dealer. You can not order Breckwell parts from USSC. The gravity feed stove is a Ford/Mercury thing but the P22,P23,p24, Sp4000 and the SPC 50 (old Upland 207) do not cross over to USSC and none of them are/were sold in Lowes, HD, TSC. In fact all of those models were made a LONG time before USSC bought Breckwell in 2010. Breckwell was making pellet stoves in the early 80's. I don't mind discussing things, but please be aware of what you are saying and just don't throw out an untrue statement. Again Timber Ridge, Pelpro, and USSC make stoves that look a like except for trim, logo and name but there is no relationship. How many makers copied Fisher stoves in the 70's??? Most stove makers use the same companies for their fans and motors. Just like in wood stove Cats are made by one company for many different stove makers. Breckwell has always been a "dealer only" Brand and still is.

back to the OP The best way to check on quality of a stove maker is look in the stove reviews on here. Actual customer/user feedback is the best way to evaluate a product.

Piazzetta and PE are both very good products. Breckwell will fall in a good with those. The SPC 50 is a great stove really. It comes from the Upland design which has a good following. It too is a bottom feed stove and can easily go a month without a cleaning. I got to see/play with the new model A LOT this summer and I really like it, in fact recommended it to my Mom who is looking to go to pellets this winter, pretty unit. Check some posts on here about the SPC 50 and the Upland 207. I would also check what the stove reviews have on here about them to check on quality. Breckwell is a dealer focused company which is good for independent stove stores. Their wood stove line is very nice, The pellet line has many options both cast and steel and inserts as well. The customer service and dealer sales from them are very personalized as they do not deal direct with the end user, much like Harman. There are a few Breckwell owners on here that can give you performance details. i myself own 2 USSC I like the total control aspect of my units alot.

hwdemers said:

OK so are engender and summers heat different stoves?

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no , they are sold under different line names but are all manufactured by ESW any difference between the units would simply be limited to cosmetics such as trim packages

And USSC and Vogelzang have units that are a copies as well circulators, furnaces and cast iron cook stoves. These units were identical long before USSC bought VZ

can you tell me what you like about brekwell in particular? it seem you have some experience with the company not just the stove.

as I stated earlier I had toyed with the idea of them because they don't seem that bad at price point,
I am willing to admit that it is possible that I have had an a-typical experience in the fact that the ones that I get in on trade are because people are not happy with the reliability.

hwdemers said:

can you tell me what you like about brekwell in particular? it seem you have some experience with the company not just the stove.

as I stated earlier I had toyed with the idea of them because they don't seem that bad at price point,
I am willing to admit that it is possible that I have had an a-typical experience in the fact that the ones that I get in on trade are because people are not happy with the reliability.

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i'll let Owen fill you in from the manufacturers side (its his company) but overall what I know of them is they make a solid product and they do compete well in the market Owen and I share.

that's a polite way of saying "we hate them and wish they would go away" LMAO seriously though its a nice line and they should do well now that USSC is backing them (for Owen)

Owen1508 said:

The point is if you own a Breckwell and call USSC to order a part they will make you go to a dealer. You can not order Breckwell parts from USSC. The gravity feed stove is a Ford/Mercury thing but the P22,P23,p24, Sp4000 and the SPC 50 (old Upland 207) do not cross over to USSC and none of them are/were sold in Lowes, HD, TSC. In fact all of those models were made a LONG time before USSC bought Breckwell in 2010. Breckwell was making pellet stoves in the early 80's. I don't mind discussing things, but please be aware of what you are saying and just don't throw out an untrue statement. Again Timber Ridge, Pelpro, and USSC make stoves that look a like except for trim, logo and name but there is no relationship. How many makers copied Fisher stoves in the 70's??? Most stove makers use the same companies for their fans and motors. Just like in wood stove Cats are made by one company for many different stove makers. Breckwell has always been a "dealer only" Brand and still is.

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I have order many parts from Breckwell and USSC and have not been turned down to have to go to the dealer. I do agree that Breckwell should stand behind their dealers and no sell to customers/consumers.

MSmith66 said:

I have order many parts from Breckwell and USSC and have not been turned down to have to go to the dealer. I do agree that Breckwell should stand behind their dealers and no sell to customers/consumers.

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Many of the componets in a Breckwell are the same as USSC/Englander/Napolean etc.. So when you called USSC they will sell you a USSC part, but Breckwell owners are suppose to go to their local dealer for parts. That being said it is the same folks answering the phones. So if you call with a part number they will send it to you because they are interchangeable, so some may slip though. If you call and say I have a Breckwell and need a part you are suppose to be directed to the Dealer/
distributor in your area and our CSR is suppose to find one for you. If one of my CSR are not doing that they can be fired. There are exceptions to every rule.... We have no Breckwell dealers in HI so if you call from there you will be sent a part. There are places that are hundreds of miles from a dealer and/or we are the distributor. In most cases the dealer only rule does apply.

hwdemers said:

can you tell me what you like about brekwell in particular? it seem you have some experience with the company not just the stove.

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Right on both. I work for USSC so I am bias, that being said there are a lot of good stove companies out there. My purpose here is to make sure people get correct, direct responses to question they may have about any of our products or if possible stoves in general. I don't dis any product out there by any maker. I tend to stick to the areas I have knowledge in and keep quiet on things I don't. Also everyone is intitled to their first hand experiences/opinions. Stoves have their fans and haters just like trucks. Chevy/Ford/Dodge pick your fav. For the most part the better you know your unit and the better you care for it the better it will perform. And some are just tanks.

Ok, I am in sales as well so I understand playing above the board, but can you give me your elevator pitch. Ie why would someone choose breckwell over another unit. I think that's really what the op was after.

Again I'm not trying to be a pain, I would love to here your answers and others feedback for my self as well, I all ways want the best information I can get and if I am talking to my customers, I feel they deserve the best informed response I can give them.

I'm not in sales I'm in service and tech.but he's my take on Breckwell. The stoves are designed very well. Al the man who started Breckwell is dedicated and still designing the stoves. Breckwell is still and always will be a quality product line. It is a line that has many eye pleasing touches. It is owned by USSC which is the Oldest (1869) and One of the Largest Stove makers in N.A. so it's not going away. It is a family owned company that makes over 30 models of stoves in N.A. By USSC taking the Upland 207, which has a great history of customer satisfaction and reliability, rebranding it under the Breckwell it shows it's dedication to the brand. Breckwell has been making pellets stoves for over 30 years. Our dealer support for the product is very good and getting better everyday. It really about giving your customers good options of products not just limiting it to one maker.

I have been burning in Breckwell Big E for about 8 years (+/-) and have always had good luck. So much so, that I purchased a Breckwell P22 to heat a previously unheated 3 season room .... now a 4 season room. In total, I am heating approximately 2500 square feet in my New Hampshire home and burn 5 to 7 ton per year and never turn on the furnace. I keep them both clean and well maintained. I have never had a problem getting a replacement part on the rare occasions when one is needed. The Big E is not pretty, but it's a work horse.... the P22 is no slouch either.

I owned a Breckwell Big E for four years. Three of the four the stove needed a major repair. First was the auger motor. Then the ash pan warped because hot pellets were bouncing out of the burn pot so needed to buy a burn pot collar so the pellets would stay in place. Bad design flaw. Next was exhaust fan. The final failure was last Friday when I went to turn it on for the first time this season and lo and behold the control panel took a digger. Went to menards the same day and bought a Pelpro 130. Only been a week but so far so good.

Owen1508 said:

The point is if you own a Breckwell and call USSC to order a part they will make you go to a dealer. You can not order Breckwell parts from USSC. The gravity feed stove is a Ford/Mercury thing but the P22,P23,p24, Sp4000 and the SPC 50 (old Upland 207) do not cross over to USSC and none of them are/were sold in Lowes, HD, TSC. In fact all of those models were made a LONG time before USSC bought Breckwell in 2010. Breckwell was making pellet stoves in the early 80's. I don't mind discussing things, but please be aware of what you are saying and just don't throw out an untrue statement. Again Timber Ridge, Pelpro, and USSC make stoves that look a like except for trim, logo and name but there is no relationship. How many makers copied Fisher stoves in the 70's??? Most stove makers use the same companies for their fans and motors. Just like in wood stove Cats are made by one company for many different stove makers. Breckwell has always been a "dealer only" Brand and still is.

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Breckwell big easy purchse trough rural king my breckwell 2700 was purchse tru tractor supply