Stove brands between Harman and.... Englander?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Light in the Dark

Light in the Dark

Feeling the Heat
Jul 24, 2011
327
In the slight space between dark and light
I am talking price wise. Harman, while seems to be 'the most preferred' brand out there on the expensive end. And Englander, with its budget friendly prices at the other end (not a dig at quality, talking price only here).


What makes up the middleground? The biggest selling feature that my uneducated self has seen on the Harmans is that they have huge ash dumps. Anyone else offer this, or are they uniquely equipped?

I know there are tons more manufacturers, and this is probably a loaded question since everyone thinks their stove is the best... but I was wondering 'what else' there is.
 
Many people like the classic bay 1200 by quadrafire, and it is priced between the two, easy to access parts to clean, plenty of heat output, and it has a pretty good size ash pan.
 
I am looking to put one in my basement. Concrete block construction with poured floor. Area is probably 1000 sq feet, with an additional 400sq garage portion that I may eventually take the dividing wall down and make into basement (and turn the garage door wall into a walk out basement wall).

Might consider cutting some floor vents in upstairs, but our Jotul woodstove does just fine for that floor. Really looking to give my kids more space to play during the winter, while keeping the floors upstairs a bit warmer for my wife and newborn baby boy.
 
metalsped said:
everyone thinks their stove is the best....
Click to expand...
nope. my stove sucks. don't buy a friggin lennox, or whatever they call them selves now post-buyout. If I had known then what I know now, I'd have a 52i (IF i stayed insert), but i probably wouldn't have... i'd probably have a p61 in the lower level and kept my fireplace for wood.
 
My advice is get the best stove that suits you there are lots of variables to explore to find that stove.price btu reliability etc.talk to the experienced stove owners on here and take their advice even if u have to wait and save your money to get what they have suggested you will be a lot happier when it's installed
 
Middle ground, used Harman. I sold the garage Harman after cleaning it up etc for $1200. Maybe sold to low as it went in 6 hours. They got a very solid working multifuel stove and the three working motors can be had either Amazon or Grainger for around $100 or less each. I checked the states CL and found several for under $1500
 
Are we really trying to compare an englander to a harman really???
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ctcarl and killie11
Oh ok I miss understood but yeah that's would be really funny though lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: killie11, Mr. Spock, tjnamtiw and 1 other person
Nope
 
You don't hear it real often here but the folks who have StCroix and also Heatilator stoves really seem to like them. I came close to buying a StCroix myself (Prescott) but caved in to the Harman.
 
I have been wondering this myself lately...we mostly only hear about the 2 extremes on here (of price spectrum, Englander and Harman).
It seems brands like Breckwell fall in between but not much info about reliability or reviews that I could find. I've come across "clearance" or "blowout" pricing on a few brands like Enviro, and Hearthstone that puts them in between the two extremes.
Most used Harmans and Quads I find on Craigslist in NH are coming in between $2500-2900 but it's typically the high end models. Not seeing any of the P38's or P43's available used. I've seen some Classic Bay's listed around $1000-1200 which may be a solid deal, but some look pretty old to be going for the same price I paid for a new stove!
 
I think you could lower on the price scale with Pelpro. Seen a couple on clearance for under $900
 
I think a big factor is what you have available in your area. I recently bought a quad because I have a reputable dealer close to my house as well as service technicians. You dont want to have a problem in the middle of winter and have no way of getting it serviced
 
  • Like
Reactions: Big papa
BUBIBEAR said:
No joke. Been running two ENGLANDER stoves since 2008 .No problems , and a super tech. support team .
Click to expand...

sure....super after a two hour hold during heating season, if you are lucky to make it into the queue.

and all bias aside, saying harman is worse than englander is simply nonsensical. I am sure for some people, like yourself, the stove works well enough...but once you experience a harman, you see how stoves should actually run.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ctcarl, Big papa, killie11 and 1 other person
SKOAL MAN said:
Who's doing that? He said in between the overpriced Harman and the reasonably priced Englander!LOL!
Click to expand...
You are.... by saying they are overpriced and don't work as well. Harman's are a superior product to just about everything else out there ( bottom feed auger, ESP system, air wash for clean glass, and large ash pan) and some of us are willing to pay for that. Englanders are also a quality product with exceptional customer service. Advising someone to stay away from a particular stove due to overpricing is unfair.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Boomer Sailor and killie11
altarr said:
sure....super after a two hour hold during heating season, if you are lucky to make it into the queue.

and all bias aside, saying harman is worse than englander is simply nonsensical. I am sure for some people, like yourself, the stove works well enough...but once you experience a harman, you see how stoves should actually run.
Click to expand...
You are happy with your HARMAN STOVE ,And that the way things are suppose to be .But I am very happy with my two ENGLANDER STOVES .They work great for our home,keep us warm and cozy all winter. I am glad that you also are pleased with your stove . But this is still the USA, and we still freedom of choice so lets be happy that we are still able to chose the way we heat our homes . Be happy and allow others to be also . Thanks for sharing with us here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pete7713
I have a choice between electric baseboard and a pellet stove. The pellet stove is hands down better no debate. :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: stoveguy2esw
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Pelletman308
Pellet shootout! 6 brands tested only one winner
Replies
7
Views
1K
2023-2024 Pellet FUEL reviews-opinions-questions
bogieb
bogieb
TTWB
Recent objective pellet stove/heater reviews - any recommendations
Replies
22
Views
4K
The Pellet Mill - Pellet and Multifuel Stoves
SidecarFlip
SidecarFlip
B
Brand new to inserts and could use some guidance
Replies
3
Views
2K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
stoveliker
stoveliker
Chris_F
Opinions and recommendations for a new wood burning stove insert
Replies
26
Views
7K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Hoytman
H
G
How do I like my Vermont Castings Dauntless? An early on review.
Replies
78
Views
11K
Vermont Castings
GrumpyDad
G
Top Bottom
Back