Harmon XXV vs the P61A

The XXV is a very nice looking stove, but only 50,000 BTUs. If I were you I would go with the big gun, the P-68. 68,000 BTUs and a better price tag. You will deffinately get more bang for you buck with the 68.

I agree that the XXV is a sharp looker similar to the Dutchwest, but with the sq.ft. of your home I think the choice is the 61-A or the P-68.

I have run the P68 for 2 heating seasons now. Heating from the no no area, otherwise called the basement. It keeps my 1700 sq ft cape nice and warm. The second floor gets chilly during the cold snaps, but not too bad.

My better half has used her XXV for 2 seasons as well. Does a great job heating the upstairs of a split level ranch with an added on room that has cathedral a ceiling.

XXV looks better than the P68, but if you want the best heat, P68. I have cleaned both and found the P68 an easier cleaning as well. Larger burn pot and more room inside the firebox. Less scraped/knicked hands. P68 has a larger ash pan. Also, I dont think the XXV would handle my basement up situation as well.

Either one will do the job well if in the correct set up. Both will burn anything.

Good Luck

I CAN'T BE ANY CLEARER IN HOW CLEAR I AM BEING, CHOOSE THE 61 OR 68!!

Seriously though, I love the look of the XXV and very nearly purchased one myself. The reason I say go with the P series is simple, they are workhorses that have very few issues. Do a search on the forum for XXV problems vs. P61/68 provlems and i am willing to bet that there are double the amount for the XXV. For whatever reason the XXV just seems to nag more. Also the P series is very easy to clean.

FWIW I own the P61A and would gladly buy another if inwas looking for a stove today.

Bigjim13 said:

I CAN'T BE ANY CLEARER IN HOW CLEAR I AM BEING, CHOOSE THE 61 OR 68!!

Seriously though, I love the look of the XXV and very nearly purchased one myself. The reason I say go with the P series is simple, they are workhorses that have very few issues. Do a search on the forum for XXV problems vs. P61/68 provlems and i am willing to bet that there are double the amount for the XXV. For whatever reason the XXV just seems to nag more. Also the P series is very easy to clean.

FWIW I own the P61A and would gladly buy another if inwas looking for a stove today.

Click to expand...

I absolutely agree. One of the first ever Harman stoves was the P-38. Every other P-series stove is based upon the 38. They have changed next to nothing in the P-series stoves, they added a hopper switch so the feed motor turns off when the hopper lid is open. The XXV has been changed a little bit more. It used to have a chain drive system for the auger but now the auger motor is mounted directly to the auger. They did have a few problems with the distribution blower on the XXV as well. The P-series is definately my favorite Harman stoves.

I looked at the XXV before deciding on the P68 ... bottom line is if you like the looks of the XXV and don't need to heat an area bigger than 1500 sq. ft. then the XXV is a nice choice -but- the P68 is the better buy based on BTU for the money spent. I think the XXV and P68 are also very close in price. I wouldn't even bother with the P61 ... for the difference in price I'd go straight to the P68 - add a trim kit and it will still be a decent look and hopefully make one forget about the looks of the XXV when enjoying the extra 18K BTU's.

yea, pricing will be going up....ugh. The XXv is a pretty stove, and QUIETER than the P61/P68. Not to say they are noisy, its just that the XXV is the quietest of the units. From a servicability standpoint, the P series units are easier to service and replace parts and clean. As for parts availablility, they are roughly the same now that they are all direct drive.

Lousyweather said:

yea, pricing will be going up....ugh. The XXv is a pretty stove, and QUIETER than the P61/P68. Not to say they are noisy, its just that the XXV is the quietest of the units. From a servicability standpoint, the P series units are easier to service and replace parts and clean. As for parts availablility, they are roughly the same now that they are all direct drive.

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The P68 is definitely louder than the XXV. Keep that in mind for placement if you get one. My better half has an XXV about 15 feet from the TV and you wouldn't know it.

my P61 is 5 or 6 feet from mine. I dont mean to make them sound noisy, but you will hear the distribution fan. Frankly, it becomes background noise after a day or two....mine makes noise, but I nolonger hear it....until I forget to put pellets into it...then its graveyard quiet, and I KNOW something is wrong!

gbreda said:

Lousyweather said:

yea, pricing will be going up....ugh. The XXv is a pretty stove, and QUIETER than the P61/P68. Not to say they are noisy, its just that the XXV is the quietest of the units. From a servicability standpoint, the P series units are easier to service and replace parts and clean. As for parts availablility, they are roughly the same now that they are all direct drive.

Click to expand...

The P68 is definitely louder than the XXV. Keep that in mind for placement if you get one. My better half has an XXV about 15 feet from the TV and you wouldn't know it.

Click to expand...

Ya I agree I saw/heard an XXV on display before I bought my P68 and the XXV is quieter and yet oddly has a higher cfm output than the P68 (150cfm vs 135cfm) ... it's ashame Harman didn't use the same quieter/slightly higher output blower on the newer P68's - not sure why?!

Frugalfreak said:

gbreda said:

Lousyweather said:

yea, pricing will be going up....ugh. The XXv is a pretty stove, and QUIETER than the P61/P68. Not to say they are noisy, its just that the XXV is the quietest of the units. From a servicability standpoint, the P series units are easier to service and replace parts and clean. As for parts availablility, they are roughly the same now that they are all direct drive.

Click to expand...

The P68 is definitely louder than the XXV. Keep that in mind for placement if you get one. My better half has an XXV about 15 feet from the TV and you wouldn't know it.

Click to expand...

Ya I agree I saw/heard an XXV on display before I bought my P68 and the XXV is quieter and yet oddly has a higher cfm output than the P68 (150cfm vs 135cfm) ... it's ashame Harman didn't use the same quieter/slightly higher output blower on the newer P68's - not sure why?!

Click to expand...

XXV is heavier as a stove, more cast iron, with a completely different distribution fan than the P68. The P68 platform is a much older platfrom, and I think due to the mechanics of the airflow over the heat exchanger, as well as the fan itself, the XXV lends itself to be a quieter system.