Harman P43 vs St.Croix Element

My preference would be the Harman. My St. Croix does well, but I have to spend more time maintaining it than I do my Harman. The Harman is about less than a minute a day to keep it running, which includ dumping in pellets and scraping the pot. Every couple of weeks I shut it down to empty the ash pan (it can go longer - even to 4 weeks depending on pellet quality) and to give it a pretty good cleaning that takes about 30 minutes.

The St. Croix takes a little longer than that, and I have to shut it down every 2nd day (minimum - I like to do it every day when it isn't negative temps outside) to remove clinkers. Every day the baffle scraper needs to be worked several times, the ash removal rod needs to be worked several time at least once per day, and do not depend on the hopper holding an entire bag of pellets (which means I have to fill hopper in the morning and at night). Once a week I have to shut down and empty the ash pan and while it is cold I give it a cleaning that takes 15-20 minutes.

So far I couldn't be happier with my p43 I have yet to push it to it's limits and it's been mighty cold in ct. lately.Basement install working along with a wood insert upstairs.As the wood stove dies out during the night the pellet keeps pumping out the heat.Toastie warm in the morning.

kniffin50 said:

So far I couldn't be happier with my p43 I have yet to push it to it's limits and it's been mighty cold in ct. lately.Basement install working along with a wood insert upstairs.As the wood stove dies out during the night the pellet keeps pumping out the heat.Toastie warm in the morning.

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I would have gotten the P43 Last year but I was really concerned that it would not push the heat up the steps to our 2 floor bedrooms.
might have done it but instead Bought the Big ass P61A just to be sure...
Plus I liked the extra large Ash pan..

What kind of space and what are you heating with it? SQ FT and how many levels? You picked a good stove.

Put your stove in your signature and then people will know what you have if and when you post or have questions. Good Luck and Enjoy that heat!

Did you install an OAK (outside air kit) on that Harman? If not, seriously consider doing so as it will diminish the "drafty" feel.

Lake Girl said:

Did you install an OAK (outside air kit) on that Harman? If not, seriously consider doing so as it will diminish the "drafty" feel.

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Agree...
why pull in inside air you already paid to heat.
Go for the free fresh Air..

Tonyray said:

Agree...
why pull in inside air you already paid to heat.
Go for the free fresh Air..

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I agree with your decision on the p43 , great product and great advice on the fresh air intake . I personally love them with the nickel glass surround and the s/s ash door trim , hey did you get the heat sensitive glass as well , nice touch as well . enjoy great stove and site .

My P68 has the mirrored glass and it is nice. Pretty sure it is standard on the 68's but can be added to others I think. For a small fee of course. LOL!

X 50 on an OAK. In my opinion everyone should have one but some will say otherwise. The ones with trouser bottoms blowing in the living room indoor breeze, anyways.....

bags said:

My P68 has the mirrored glass and it is nice. Pretty sure it is standard on the 68's but can be added to others I think. For a small fee of course. LOL!

X 50 on an OAK. In my opinion everyone should have one but some will say otherwise. The ones with trouser bottoms blowing in the living room indoor breeze, anyways.....

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Draft free driving........
btw: the OAK tube was Silver but got painted flat black to blend in..
yeah.. that was an OCD moment..

bags said:

My P68 has the mirrored glass and it is nice. Pretty sure it is standard on the 68's but can be added to others I think. For a small fee of course. LOL!

X 50 on an OAK. In my opinion everyone should have one but some will say otherwise. The ones with trouser bottoms blowing in the living room indoor breeze, anyways.....

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Have you got a surround on the glass ? I have a kit cheap from a dealer that went out . I think it was nickel and ash trim with the door , cant remember any more bought a bunch of his display boxes as well with the Harman cutout and steel sides , these stoves are the piece to own - if they would just get a tech department , go to the dealer is great , but unless your buying something he wants you exiting the store - especially this time of year they are run ragged - these stoves are good not perfect but pretty close hah . I like being in control or having some background in the equiptment I own enabling some ability to fix it or ascertain the problem and buy the part and installing . but the real question do you need the trim kit or should I better say it as can I assist you in getting a trim kit for your p68 cheap

Glad you are happy with the Harman - and I agree with most of the previous comments, put in an Outside Air Kit if one wasn't installed to begin with. Although technically it may not make a difference in temperature, it should help in reducing the drafts felt.

Love our st croix. Never have to scrape the burn pot. I do shut down every week for cleaning. I don't have to, but a clean stove is a happy stove. Easy to work on. I do wish it had a bigger hopper though

Glassbob said:

Bought the Harman stove and so far so good. House is drafty so wish I would of had the money for the bigger one. Just pretty much dump pellets scrape burn pot and go. Keeps house same temperature as furnace for less money. Glad I went with the Harman!

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Welcome to the harman gang Seems we're hitting them out of the park here,with new harman owners.congrats you'll love your new stove.

I think between the two stoves that the harman was the better choice due to btu rating,little larger hopper and seemed as if it has less parts to clean over the st croix.

Glassbob said:

Buying my first pellet stove next week and trying to decide between the two. I can get them both for the same price and they look like they are both good quality. Does anyone have any experience with these units? Looking to see which one would be the longer lasting and better heating stove. Thanks for any input!

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I would choose the Harman...not because the St. Croix isn't cute. I always liked the look and the compactness of the St. Croix smallest pellet/ grain stoves. But the Harman seems to have replacement parts and accessories readily available, it bottom feeds so you dont have to worry about being fussy about pellet quality. St. Croix looks like its been changing it's engineering and you dont know if the new model is better or going to be "buggy" and have flaws. I think the Harman keeps its quality up and dont know if new St Croix is getting more like the cheaper pellet stove makers.