Breckwell Big E vs Eco PS50

[Jeffo272]

Hi everyone, new to the forum and pellet stoves. Been doing a lot of reading/research with the goal in mind of adding a supplemental heating source (pellet stove) to my home; 1984 two story 2200sqft split level with open floor plan, normal ceiling heights and moderate (normal I would assume) insullation located in Wallingford, CT. Currently using oil forced hot air. Budget is around $2K, will install myself and not afraid to tinker and tune as needed.
A local shop has a 2006 Breckwell Big E factory second, never used, no warranty $1400 w/o venting. I know Breckwell is now US stove (I believe) and quality/service has gone down hill, that with no warranty and the potential for poor quality replacement parts makes me think I should avoid the Breckwell. Prior to seeing that stove I was leaning towards the Eco PS50 or Cab50. Got a quote for $1900 for PS50 with venting. I like the burn pot dump lever and ash pan on the PS50. Overall I seen more positive than negative reviews.

If anyone could shed some light or suggestions on my situation I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you in advance.

Jeff

 

[stovelark]

Hi Jeff- If the BW is new, Its a good deal and a fine stove too. The eco choice is a good value too, we sell those stoves too, they offer a good value for what you spend. With a year warranty, I'd still buy the eco choice, even though there are plenty of Big E's running out there. Either one will prob suit your needs ok, if supplemental heat is what you are asking them to do. Good luck.

 

[Jeffo272]

Stovelark, thanks for your input. I think I am hesitant on the breckwell as they were bought out by US stove and from what I gathered overall quality of equipment/parts and service has declined, that ontop of no warranty is not very reassuring. I realize the PS50 does not use heat exchange tubes but rather flat plates. The sales person I spoke with stated the PS50 would never be able to heat as well as the breckwell because of this. I guess I'm trying to decided what would be the most reliable supplemental heating unit for 2200sqft at around $2000. I'm hoping some members on here with the PS50 can chime in with the sqft they are comfortably heating with this unit. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[St_Earl]

i have never owned a breckwell, but i have read about lots of issues with them.
i have run the eco choice PS50 for 4 seasons now.
in that time i have had 1 upper auger jam. (cleared the offending pellet with a wire up the drop chute) and 2 burned out igniters.
this time i ordered the 300 watt ignitor instead of the 360 watt one.

i think i contributed to the demise of the second igniter by being lazy at the end of the season and letting the ash drawer get really full.
i think the proximity of the ash mound to the igniter made things much hotter there.

for me, the PS50 has been ultimately reliable.

one thing though, the OAK kit for some quads and the eco choice is much more pricey than many other makes.
really the only thing you get that you can't get at the auto parts store is the collar for the cold air inlet.
you can fabricate one of those easily, or maybe get the dealer to throw in a kit when you are negotiating the purchase.

 

[St_Earl]

2200 sq feet is a good sized volume to heat. my PS50 does very with our little 925 sq. feet. but we do get to 20 below here most every winter.
look for a used harman?

 

[Jeffo272]

2200 sq feet is a good sized volume to heat. my PS50 does very with our little 925 sq. feet. but we do get to 20 below here most every winter.
look for a used harman?

It is a large volume to heat but I think the location of the stove and layout of my floor plan will certainly help me get close to that. I ordered the PS50 yesterday, venting straight out exterior wall. Pulled my permit and layed some tape lines for my hearth and mantle, really excited! Will start a thread for my install process.

 

[St_Earl]

get the OAK. (is my opinion) as i mentioned, if you can fashion the collar piece yourself, the rest of the stuff can be had at the hardware/auto parts store. otherwise it is more expensive than most other brands.
and you did mention it is "supplemental"
i won't post too much at first regarding heat distribution as some folks don't even end up needing/using any fans.
if and when the time comes that you want to start looking into that topic, there are several threads and i'll be happy to share my opinions and experience in that regard.
but your specific floor plan and house will shape how you ultimately approach that aspect.
a little convection goes a long way.

feel free to ask anything you need as you get familiar with the stove.
it's pretty simple as far as adjustments. flame height often does not match exactly what is suggested, but the quality of the burn is more important than inch perfect flame height.
it's an easy stove to clean, but there will always be fly ash to clear from the firebox.
i have developed a few time saving methods for in between full cleanings.

 

[Heatsource]

I really like the eco choice stoves, alot more than breckwell!

 

[Jeffo272]

So I purchased and picked up the eco choice PS50 yesterday! Really excited about building my hearth and installing the stove. I did not get the OAK with it as the sales person said I should be fine given my house was built in 1984 (generally thought to be "less tight" of a overall seal I guess). I have read a lot on both sides of the OAK fence; outside air provides better combustion; inside air help warm the cool air returning to the stove but can cause negative pressures...etc..etc and we return to the question of "what is best?!" I am assuming the OAK can be installed at any point? Whats the general practice in the pellet stove world? I wouldn't say my house is "drafty" per say but I do notice when the AC is on currently there is some pressure pulls when closing bedroom doors on the second floor (carpeted floors). I guess I could always shave the bottoms of the doors to alleviate some of that pressure, no?

PS thanks for all the help/input!

 

[St_Earl]

perhaps a lot of dealers only refer to the OAK as a remedy for a too tight house, but for me, (and many others) i don't want to pull cold air into the too loose house. (along with warm air i've paid to heat being sucked back out the vent.)
that air has to come from somewhere. may as well have the bulk of it come in through the oak.

but yeah, may as well see how it goes at first.