I have been lurking around for a while, but it is time for my first post. I need some input on my final purchasing decision.
Late last winter I purchased a used Avanti Newport. It was basically my first venture into pellet stoves. I have been learning with it and I have found a few things I want to improve on and am looking to take advantage of the tax credit before it expires.
I am looking for the best bang for the buck and my budget is no large. The two biggest upgrades I am looking for are Hopper size and combustion air control. I want a hopper with a minimum capacity of 80 lbs and bigger is better. I do NOT like having to manually adjust combustion air on the Newport so auto is a must. I really DO like cleaning the Newport. When set properly I only open the stove every several days to knock the ash into the ash pan. About every ten days I clean it more thoroughly with a vacuum. I view that as pretty low maintenance.
I have looked at and/or researched several models. The ones on the short list seem to be The Big-E, the Enlgander 25-PAH, and the Quadrafire 1200.
The Big-E seems to get some pretty negative reviews so I have all but eliminated that one.
I really LOVE the ash pan on the 1200 as it basically covers the whole bottom area of the stove and the ash can’ really help but fall into it. Also, the burn pot cleans without ever opening the stove. The 1200 is the only of these that I have actually seen burn. Being twice as much as the 25PAH though and only an 80 lb hopper has me looking seriously at the 25PAH.
I have a couple of concerns about maintenance and cleaning on the 25PAH though. The ash pan looks very small and does not cover much of the bottom of the stove. There are also a number of holes, and nooks and crannies that look like they will require frequent vacuuming. Question for those with the PAH: what % of the ash actually makes I into the ash pan and is my fear of vacuuming correct? The burn pot also concerns me. My Newport and the 1200 both allow ash to fall out of the bottom of the burn put into the ash pan helping to keep them cleaned out. The PAH burn pot sets in a pretty small cradle that does not allow the ash to drop. I have no first had experience but it looks like this design will require a lot more effort to keep clean. Anyone able to confirm or deny this? Another advantage to the PAH is that I would buy it at Lowes and they have a pretty liberal return policy if I am unhappy with my purchase.
I am sorry for the long post, I am hoping the helpful folks here are able to give me some input.
Late last winter I purchased a used Avanti Newport. It was basically my first venture into pellet stoves. I have been learning with it and I have found a few things I want to improve on and am looking to take advantage of the tax credit before it expires.
I am looking for the best bang for the buck and my budget is no large. The two biggest upgrades I am looking for are Hopper size and combustion air control. I want a hopper with a minimum capacity of 80 lbs and bigger is better. I do NOT like having to manually adjust combustion air on the Newport so auto is a must. I really DO like cleaning the Newport. When set properly I only open the stove every several days to knock the ash into the ash pan. About every ten days I clean it more thoroughly with a vacuum. I view that as pretty low maintenance.
I have looked at and/or researched several models. The ones on the short list seem to be The Big-E, the Enlgander 25-PAH, and the Quadrafire 1200.
The Big-E seems to get some pretty negative reviews so I have all but eliminated that one.
I really LOVE the ash pan on the 1200 as it basically covers the whole bottom area of the stove and the ash can’ really help but fall into it. Also, the burn pot cleans without ever opening the stove. The 1200 is the only of these that I have actually seen burn. Being twice as much as the 25PAH though and only an 80 lb hopper has me looking seriously at the 25PAH.
I have a couple of concerns about maintenance and cleaning on the 25PAH though. The ash pan looks very small and does not cover much of the bottom of the stove. There are also a number of holes, and nooks and crannies that look like they will require frequent vacuuming. Question for those with the PAH: what % of the ash actually makes I into the ash pan and is my fear of vacuuming correct? The burn pot also concerns me. My Newport and the 1200 both allow ash to fall out of the bottom of the burn put into the ash pan helping to keep them cleaned out. The PAH burn pot sets in a pretty small cradle that does not allow the ash to drop. I have no first had experience but it looks like this design will require a lot more effort to keep clean. Anyone able to confirm or deny this? Another advantage to the PAH is that I would buy it at Lowes and they have a pretty liberal return policy if I am unhappy with my purchase.
I am sorry for the long post, I am hoping the helpful folks here are able to give me some input.
