New Or Used Pellet Stoves???

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hotdawg

Member
Nov 3, 2011
203
Central, MA
Hi all! Looking for some help in buying my first pellet stove. I guess not so much help as opinions. I was pretty much set on buying a new stove but it seems there's tons of posters here having great luck with a used stove. Always looking for a bargain so not sure which way to go now plus still a little sticker shock with how much these dealers want for their stoves. Here are the options:

1. get a new 10CPM
2. get a used Avalon Astoria
3. get a used Austroflamm

They will cost about the same. Which would you pick and why??? I need to pull the trigger this week! Any input would be greatly appreciated!
 
"Why go used when new will do" is hard to over come. Need more info on the used units like age and overall condition. All 3 units are good ones by all means.

Only complaint I have heard on the 10 cpm is its a bit noisey. The austro and the avalon both get great reviews here! But if they are basket cases? well there isn't a warranty with used!
 
One of the biggest things that comes to my mind is how handy are you with tools and electrical troubleshooting? If someone is selling a used stove, there is a reason. Maybe they just want to upgrade OR there is a problem with the stove. Most stoves are simple to troubleshoot and can be fixed easily IF you have the skills. OR perhaps the 'brains' of the stove are shot, in which case a new control box can be quite expensive. If it is used, you should insist on seeing it run either in place or in their driveway prior to purchase. If they won't do that, then you can be pretty sure there is a problem.
 
I purchased a used pellet stove off craigslist. I looked for a few weeks until the right deal came along. If I had been in a position to purchase a new pellet burner I would have done so. I have no regrets with my purchase. I am handy with hand & power tools as well as a multimeter & soldering iron.

If you look at a used stove and something does not seem right, walk away. If the person selling is able to let you see it run, even better.

If your looking at a used budget close to that of a new unit, go new.

In all I have about $650.00 into my used pellet burner. Cost of purchase and installation items.
 
Sorry, a little detail would have been helpful!

1. 10CPM - buy new from AMFMEnergy $1800 or Home Depot $2400.

2. Used Lopi Yankee which is the same as Avalon Astoria $1500. Seller used for 3 seasons and has been in storage for over a year. He switched back to wood stove. Said overall condition is very good and it was cleaned regularly. I will update about condition after I go take a look at it. He'll try to hook it up to make sure it still runs. Biggest concern is that it's the Yankee instead of the Astoria. I heard that Travis Industries have retired the Yankee but I should still be able to get parts if I need it from the Astoria, right?

3. Used Austroflamm $1800 seller bought new in 2008 used for three seasons and is now in storage. He moved into apartment so no longer needs the stove. Said everything is in good working condition and has no complaints about unit and would not sell if he was still in his house. Sounds good BUT only problem is it's in storage, NOT hooked up for test run to see if it even works. EVERYONE here says it's important to see it running before buying. If I can't get it hooked up for test run, should I take the guy's word for it that everything works? Especially if unit is in great "looking" condition like he claims? I don't want to sound naive but he sounds like an honest guy.......lol.

And also, I am very handy but zero experience with a pellet stove. What are some of the key things to look out for when I go look at these units? Thanks all for your advice!
 
Last summer, I bought two used pellet stoves through, Craig's list. They came with two spare convection blowers, a spare combustion blower, three bad control panels and one good one. They were missing a burn pot and a grate. I think the previous owner got tired of fixing them. There was a brand new pellet stove in his living room. I was able to get the missing parts from a local stove store. The main problem with them was the control panels. My wife is really good at troubleshooting electronics and she fixed one of the bad control panels, so I now have two working pellet stoves.

I haven't had any problems with the one I installed on a 400 square foot enclosed porch. The other one is going to heat my garage, so I can work on projects through the winter. I too had sticker shock when I saw the price of new ones! But because I am not heating my house with them, I figured I could take a chance on used ones. We've had nights in the twenties and thirties lately and haven't had any problems, so far.

Dave
 
Personally, I prefer to go new. That's just me. I have had too many bad experiences with used things. Plus you get a warranty with a new stove. England seems to have very good customer service, etc. AM/FM has a good reputation. If I were in your shoes I would buy the 10-cpm from AM/FM. That being said, J makes a good point about the noise from the stove. But I would still go new.
 
i bought my breckwell used on ebay back on the year 2008. i had no issues to speak of yet . a warranty is only good for the first year or two anyways most of the problems will come with use of the stove down the road hopefully
 
I'm a used stove guy. Cant afford anything new. Good thing I'm handy cuz the ladies dont find me handsome. Fortunately I havent had to work on any of the stoves except one that needed a new exhaust blower....no biggie there. If I was wealthy, like 80,000 a year, I'd get a new one no problems.
 
I just purchased a 94 whitfield advantage and blew the heck out of it because I wasn't satisfied with the last owners cleaning job. He said it died when he turned it down at night. Funny thing the control knob was gummed up. Old vent pipe showed they never cleaned the pipe or the stove most likely. works great now on 1, heating the 2200sf house to toasty 72 constant. Used is great things when its old enough to repaired by almost anyone, and cheap is allways best when times are rugged.
 
I'd never trust a used stove, oh yeah its in storage , what they don't tell you is its stored in a humid basement, dusty garage , or has a bunch of crap piled on top of it. If I moved and had my pellet stove to sell, and its a 2005 , I'd ask $400.00 and would take $200.00 , just to get rid of it. But then I'm not a hoarder, and if I'm not using some thing , I 'm not storing it. Everyone thinks used things have more value then they do , fact is , worth is what someone is willing to pay you for it, and the two numbers may not match .
 
I considered that, but killing the natural gas hemorage was needed. into it with gas,stove, and some more pipe is less than 1 months gas bill (300.00) I did make the guy show me that it worked, and when he turned it on it blew crud everywhere, hence the added cleaning and lubrication before hopefull install/and cheaper heat that functions. I have no idea if its a I II II-T or III series tho. just feelin happy it works so far.
 
I think I might have to look at something new. I'm somewhat recovered from the sticker shock. My biggest issue with the used stoves were the sellers not allowing or were unable to hook it up for me to see it running. I've called several sellers about their stoves and its always the same story, stove is in storage and not hooked up for viewing but they swear up and down that it works. If I'm going to fork over any sort of cash, the least I should get is to see the stove running. I'm actually looking at a Jamestown J2000 new from a dealer down the street from me. The unit looks solid and very compact. Haven't found many reviews on them. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing since the company has been making these stoves for 30 years. I like the fact that it's easy to operate so the wife should have no trouble figuring it out and also very easy to clean. They have it in stock and can install Monday or Tuesday of next week! I think I might just pull the trigger on that. Thanks everyone for you help! Can't wait to get the stove so I can start stockpiling pellets!!
 
I would never buy a new stove, I have repaired and sold stove on craigslist. Buying a new stove is like buying a new car. As soon as you leave the store the value is gone. I would look for a good used stove and save alot of money... Just my two cents..
I would look for a good used Whitfield Advantage II-T, these stoves are great and easy to work on, just remember to use a surge protector with any stove you buy.
 
Mr Whitfield said:
I would never buy a new stove, I have repaired and sold stove on craigslist. Buying a new stove is like buying a new car. As soon as you leave the store the value is gone. I would look for a good used stove and save alot of money... Just my two cents..
I would look for a good used Whitfield Advantage II-T, these stoves are great and easy to work on, just remember to use a surge protector with any stove you buy.

X2, I agree. You can save money on a good used stove. Sometimes all the bugs are worked out.

For example:

I have a good used pellet stove for sale where I changed the ash pan bolts with the hex head for an allen wrench to easy to undo wing nut bolts!

See my ad with pics. Please let me know if you are interested.

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/83929/
 
Mr Whitfield said:
I would never buy a new stove, I have repaired and sold stove on craigslist. Buying a new stove is like buying a new car. As soon as you leave the store the value is gone. I would look for a good used stove and save alot of money... Just my two cents..
I would look for a good used Whitfield Advantage II-T, these stoves are great and easy to work on, just remember to use a surge protector with any stove you buy.
X3
 
jdempsey said:
Mr Whitfield said:
I would never buy a new stove, I have repaired and sold stove on craigslist. Buying a new stove is like buying a new car. As soon as you leave the store the value is gone. I would look for a good used stove and save alot of money... Just my two cents..
I would look for a good used Whitfield Advantage II-T, these stoves are great and easy to work on, just remember to use a surge protector with any stove you buy.
X3
x4
 
The price of new you might as well install a new heating system, will add more value to your home, used is the only way to go, alot of good stoves are on craigslist for under a $G
Seen a few Whit's for $2-300
 
I bought my Europa 75 used, from a former dealer. It had all the bugs worked out, and was around a third of the cost of a new one.
 
Okay, so I ended up getting a "semi-used" stove with a full warranty through the a dealer. He used the stove for a couple of different home shows in our area that he went to representing the stove company for a few weeks. So essentially I got a Jamestown J2000 with the piping/vent, the queen ann legs and gold trim for 50% off because they used it for a few weeks and don't need it anymore. It's pretty much new with a few pre-burns on it. At least that's how I'm looking at it. I think that's a pretty good deal considering I get the full warranty that goes with all their new stoves. I tried looking for something used off of CL but didn't have any luck with the sellers. They either couldn't show me the stove running or took too long to respond. I just got a respond back from a seller I emailed over two weeks ago about her stove. Any case, I'm pretty happy with my deal. Plus, the dealer is selling me a ton of Bayou pellets for $200. I think that's a decent price for wood pellets right now. Of course I don't know much about it but I did look at a couple of bags of pellets and they looked about the right size, nice and shiny and not a lot of fines. So this officially ends my pellet stove search. I'm getting it installed on Monday/Tuesday. Now I'm off to hunt for pellets! Now the fun really begins!! Can't wait to join the pellet piggy club!! Thank you all for your advice. You guys have been great!
 
Great! You saved a lot of money AND have a warranty! Perfect, let us know how you like the stove when it's up and running and post pictures too if you can. Have Fun!
 
It's great to hear your a Pellet Head now, Good Luck with your stove.. This is a great place for help if you every need it.
 
This is what is so nice about the Re-furbished stoves from AMFM Energy....a used stove that is considerably cheaper than new, but has been cleaned, repaired, and updated to new condition at the factory....and has a full warranty. Consider me a happy and contented customer
 

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Imacman, that refurbished 10CPM was my original choice but they've been out of stock on them for months now. Even on Ebay they don't have a consistent supply. I've been monitoring for the last month or so. I would wait if I had the option but the idea of another $900 oil refill in the next two weeks pushed up that deadline for me. Hopefully the Jamestown will not be a big disappoint. You totally sold me on the 10 CPM. I'll keep watching Ebay or check back at AMFMEnergy for it. Two stoves are always better then one! Thanks!
 
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