Is there a stove list review compiled anywhere?

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riff42

Member
Jan 17, 2014
23
DelaWhere
So, I moved into a new house, which uses propane heat. It apparently is UNGODLY EXPENSIVE! Along with that, the Heat n Glo propane fireplace in the living room keeps twitching off. Not like it even has a fan, it's nice to look at, and it does radiate some heat. Also, it's catherdal ceiling, and we rarely use the second floor.

So....time for a pellet stove again.
I used to have a Lennox Montage. It was a great little bugger. 3-4 years, and only had one heater burn out. Easy to maintain, and I loved the large ash pan. The air inlet dampener was sticky, and I never did get a good burn, but it wasn't BAD.

Since Lennox doesn't exist anymore, and I rather have something quiet, and good quality. Where should I start? Looks like Harmans are popular, but are there specific models to avoid? What other reliable brands are out there nowadays? I rather stay around 3-4500$. Again, I want it quiet, since the house isn't big, and we stay in the living room mostly.
 
Hi I have the Lennox Montage. Like it very much. But I agree with the sticky air damper. Set it to a point that I get the best burn that I can.
 
Some Lennox stoves are around.The company that owned them got bought out in 2012,now they have changed the name,it is Iron Strike.Personally I like simple,Harmans with the 3 knobs,reasonably quiet,easy to clean,less maintenance.Neither of my stoves have a manual damper adjustment,and do not need it.Others should chip in,later.
 
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So, I moved into a new house, which uses propane heat. It apparently is UNGODLY EXPENSIVE! Along with that, the Heat n Glo propane fireplace in the living room keeps twitching off. Not like it even has a fan, it's nice to look at, and it does radiate some heat. Also, it's catherdal ceiling, and we rarely use the second floor.

So....time for a pellet stove again.
I used to have a Lennox Montage. It was a great little bugger. 3-4 years, and only had one heater burn out. Easy to maintain, and I loved the large ash pan. The air inlet dampener was sticky, and I never did get a good burn, but it wasn't BAD.

Since Lennox doesn't exist anymore, and I rather have something quiet, and good quality. Where should I start? Looks like Harmans are popular, but are there specific models to avoid? What other reliable brands are out there nowadays? I rather stay around 3-4500$. Again, I want it quiet, since the house isn't big, and we stay in the living room mostly.
On the top of the forum main page, right hand side next to the search button there is a review link.
 
Its pronounced "Propain".

3 years ago we built a new modular home. Open floor plan, I installed a Weil Mclain Eco 70, which is a Triangle Tube knock-off. After calling for a fill up for the third straight month, we bought the Englander PDVC. Installed it in February and by some freak luck, it was warm enough that day to do roof penetration and not ruin any shingles.

Its a little louder than we like, most of the time we use a clicker-torch to start it. But its 9° outside as I type this and the house is 69° instead of the 64° we keep it with the boiler.

I would love a Harmon, but for the money we spent on the cheap Englander, plus the last six-seven tons of fuel we've burned since its install, we havent spent the $3200 on the much nicer Harmon.
 
In 12 years I have never seen a perfect stove. Seems there is always a downside. So the obvious advice is to write down a list of what you expect your perfect stove to do for you. Then if you are a newcomer you might need some help with the list so I will start it and other members can add to it or share their feelings.

1 I want a large hopper so I am not married to it having to constantly run home to fill the hopper
2 I want a large ash bucket for the same reason.
3 I want a push button start and auto dump of the pot. Seems extravagant but its Christmas season and may as well dream. Wives like both of these features.
4 I want a multifuel version because at some point I may want to switch fuels from pellets to cherry pits, Grain sorghum, corn, and nice to have that capability.
5 I want a real manual that tells me how to fix it rather then give me a 800 number or tell me to see my dealer.
6 If there is software changes I want to ability to change it myself rather then spend money at the dealers shop.
7 I would prefer it to be Made in the USA.
8 If I have a warranty problem I don't want to have to read the fine print telling me their warranty is a bunch of crap.
9 This perfect stove should be built so little kids can't hurt themselves falling against it.
10 The manual should have clear directions on how to make it work likje it was designed.
11 there should be a provision that provides warranty service if your local dealer goes out of business other then someone telling me Good Luck.
12 we all know fans , electric motors fail so it would be nice if the part that fails most often is easy to replace.
In this modern computer age I would like to have the ability to control the stove by Wi Fi
14 This stove shouldn't take one season to get used to it or understand how it works.
 
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95% of the stoves on the list are still being sold. Maybe some technical updates to them but stiil the same stoves. Some new ones out may not be on it though
 
On the top of the forum main page, right hand side next to the search button there is a review link.

Well damn. HA.
It would be nice to redo the layout, to include the actual stoves, and have each review attached to it, not page through 128 pages of random reviews and have to compile it myself. I really don't know what's out there, who are good companies, etc. Guess i have to read them all!
 
If you are asking what are the popular/quiet affordable stoves available, quietness requires more money. The quietest available stoves are ones like the Quad Mount Vernon E2, Enviro's M55, Regency GC60 (M55's sister). More moderate but not quite as quiet are stoves like Quad's CB1200, Breckwells, Lopi, Napoleon, lots of USSC stoves, Englanders. They get more affordable as they get simpler, but maybe not quite as aesthetically pleasing. Totally agree with Rona, ain't no perfect stove made that I'm aware of....
 
Well damn. HA.
It would be nice to redo the layout, to include the actual stoves, and have each review attached to it, not page through 128 pages of random reviews and have to compile it myself. I really don't know what's out there, who are good companies, etc. Guess i have to read them all!
Well, it ain't my circus, I'm just one of the clowns.
 
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