Alternative to Harman stove

[nectarologist]

Hello. I've had a Harman XXV for just over 2 months and we love it. We are considering getting another stove for our basement, however, the XXV was really expensive. I'm looking for an alternative that is less money. Any suggestions? I'm looking for something that will last and hopper capacity is not an issue for the way I plan to use it. It will be a weekend warrior for the most part. Thanks!

 

[TimfromMA]

Love my St Croix.

 

[BrotherBart]

 

[BrotherBart]

Take a walk through Home Depot and Lowe's. This is the time of year they are getting pellet stoves in stock out of the way for the lawn mowers. A few years ago I picked up the Englander 25-PDVC in my basement for $699 that way.

They handle several brands now so you don't know what you might find.

 

[Bioburner]

Something other than a Harman?

Was hoping for a quiet night.

 

[Bioburner]

Check for used. Some very nice used stoves floating around and you have a good 6 months to recondition.

 

[3650]

I prefer my Cumberland 3650 to my Harman Accentra.

 

[bogieb]

Check out Craig's List where maybe you could do another Harman (you are used to them, so learning curve isn't as steep). However, nothing wrong with checking out the stoves at the big box store, or your local hardware store. Just be aware that they may need cleaning more often, damper adjustments or other things you aren't currently in the habit of doing.

 

[Peterfield]

Hello. I've had a Harman XXV for just over 2 months and we love it. We are considering getting another stove for our basement, however, the XXV was really expensive. I'm looking for an alternative that is less money. Any suggestions? I'm looking for something that will last and hopper capacity is not an issue for the way I plan to use it. It will be a weekend warrior for the most part. Thanks!

They'll be a lot of used Harman's for sale on CL this spring and summer as folks chase the lowest energy cost like oil and natural gas, even though it's a fool's errand. There were just two great deals on Harman's up here and they'll be more to follow for sure. You patience will be rewarded if you want to stay with Harman.

 

[bogieb]

They'll be a lot of used Harman's for sale on CL this spring and summer as folks chase the lowest energy cost like oil and natural gas, even though it's a fool's errand. There were just two great deals on Harman's up here and they'll be more to follow for sure. You patience will be rewarded if you want to stay with Harman.

To Peterfield's point, there will probably be P38 and P43's up for grabs fairly cheap because some need a bigger stove, and others are going back to oil/other fuel. Those are the smallest, and least expensive Harmans, and if you offer less than they are asking for (they will almost always ask for more than they should - especially for 6+ year old stoves), you could get a real deal.

Also, look at St. Croix's on CL - I got my Hastings off CL for $1500 (including pad). I might have gotten it for even less, but I was happy with the deal and it was the beginning of the season. the SC is a nice cast iron stove, which I prefer.

And, if it will only be a weekend warrior, don't be afraid to look at stoves that are no auto-light, those are usually cheaper than the ones with an igniter (examples; Harman P38, or St. Croix Greenfield).

 

[3650]

p48 on CL here right now for $485. Been there for months.

nevermind, I just did a search and its gone. Might have expired. It was on there for.months. I was thinking about flipping it. There is another one on there in a nearby town for $2200 so maybe someone else is flipping it.

 

[woodmakesheat]

In my 15+ years reading and posting on various forums, I can count on one hand the number of times people didn't recommend what they already own. People tend to be loyal to the purchase decisions they've made unless the product is a complete disaster, in which case they move on from it relatively quickly. I guess I'd weigh more heavily opinions of those who've had a lot of pellet stove experience in general and those who have owned multiple stove brands.

That being said, I've only owned one pellet stove and it's worked well for me this 1st season I've owned it. It cost about 1/2 of what a Harman would have, so I guess it meets your requirements. Hopper capacity is 50#. Maintenance seems to be about as little as any I've read about here - I open the front door once a week to clean it, can go up to 2 weeks in a pinch. Cleaning is not difficult. Ash pan needs emptying after about 1/2 ton of pellets burned, or once again up to 2 weeks. Heat output is about 2/3 of your XXV.

 

[Bioburner]

p48

45 or 43?

 

[bogieb]

In my 15+ years reading and posting on various forums, I can count on one hand the number of times people didn't recommend what they already own. People tend to be loyal to the purchase decisions they've made unless the product is a complete disaster, in which case they move on from it relatively quickly. I guess I'd weigh more heavily opinions of those who've had a lot of pellet stove experience in general and those who have owned multiple stove brands..

That being said - I owned an Englander 25-PVCD (or some such letters), and it was a complete disaster. Ran 3 times - well, twice, on the 3rd start up it really f'd up and I had to shut it down real quick. During the shut down the auger started running backwards and drawing burning pellets into the feeder - no, I wasn't impressed. So, I don't recommend them (as you see in my previous post). But, know plenty of people on this forum have done well with them, so normally I just keep it to suggesting the stoves that have been good to me.

However, you can't tell by my signature that I ever owned that stove, so how someone is supposed to tell how many / what stoves a person has had (in order to give more weight to their suggestions), is beyond me. Not that I am saying you are incorrect, just it is difficult for the OP to tell.

 

[woodmakesheat]

Wasn't looking to make anybody defensive, just general advice.

 

[begreen]

Had the Quad 1200i for 5 yrs. We got rid of it when I took out the fireplace, but it was still running well. In particular I liked it's low maintenance and non-proprietary components. I cleaned the burn pot, ash and glass once every 2 weeks during shoulder season weather and once a week during 2 bags a day winter burning. During that time it had two failures. One of the snap switches went and during summer the control panel got blitzed by a power surge. After that I learned to unplug the stove during off season or put it on a UPS. The stove was still on its original parts other than those issues. When I got the stove it included a spare igniter. Never needed it.

 

[LuvMyPellets]

LOPI AGP and I don't own one. It is a bottom feeder, at least a thousand bucks less than the Harman and after they got the bugs out is a nice stove.

 

[stovelark]

I'm with begreen CB1200 quad, a real workhorse, been around for over 20 years, proven. A good value too, we sell them for 2459.00, MSRP 2599.00. If more budget-minded, an ECO-choice CAB50 a good choice as well. MSRP of about 1800.00 120# hopper, 50K btu, shares a lot of same parts the CB1200 uses. England stove works still a good choice too, good value for the money spent. So are Enviro steel stoves, good value for money spent.

 

[Lake Girl]

I would second the suggestion on watching local ads or craigslist. Just saw a 1 year old stove for sale ... sold their house and the new owners wanted it removed. They already had the same stove in the new house.

Availability of used units may depend on location. More rural areas may not have a lot of stoves showing up...

 

[kinsmanstoves]

Hello. I've had a Harman XXV for just over 2 months and we love it. We are considering getting another stove for our basement, however, the XXV was really expensive. I'm looking for an alternative that is less money. Any suggestions? I'm looking for something that will last and hopper capacity is not an issue for the way I plan to use it. It will be a weekend warrior for the most part. Thanks!

Cab50 Heatilator or stick with what you know, P-43 Harman

Eric

 

[bogieb]

Wasn't looking to make anybody defensive, just general advice.

Sorry if I came out as defensive, was just trying to find out how I, or the OP, can tell how many / what kind of pellet stoves responders have had? You had a great point, I'm just obviously missing something in figuring out how I can apply it.

 

[woodmakesheat]

Sorry if I came out as defensive, was just trying to find out how I, or the OP, can tell how many / what kind of pellet stoves responders have had? You had a great point, I'm just obviously missing something in figuring out how I can apply it.

I was saying to the O/P "take my post with a grain of salt as I have limited experience with one stove." If I had any experience with other stoves that met the O/P's requirements, I would have mentioned those as well and felt a little more confidence in my recommendation.