I have a Travis Industries pellet stove that I bought new and got a great deal from a going out of business dealer. The stove has had a few issues that over 10 years of heavy use may be par for that manufacturer. I replaced the blower motor, had the decorative bricks fail, and re-welded the seems of the fire box. Most years we have burned at least 3 tons and a few years when propane was high we did 4-5 tons. So I can conservatively estimate that we have run 35 tons through it in 10 years and used it non stop for 4-5 months (November-March) a year. It heats the upper two floors of our house which is over 3,500 square feet and has an outside air kit.
Things we love about the stove: Large hopper runs 24 hours except in the coldest time of the winter, relatively reliable (even when the fan went it didn't go all at once and I replaced it quickly).
Things we hate about the stove: Noisy, fans vibrate like crazy, can't get parts directly for it, no thermostat (It can have one but at this point I won't buy it), I clean it daily and it is a bit messy (may be me and not the stove)
I am looking at the home depot stoves and they seem to be an upgrade in sound quality and have thermostats with them. I know the quadra fire and harmen were the best 10 years ago. Can anyone offer some basic suggestions for an experienced pellet stover that wants a new one for a large house, with a large hopper, that doesn't look like a giant black toilet?
We are not failing yet but I am tired of the noise and may want to move this stove out of the house.
Things we love about the stove: Large hopper runs 24 hours except in the coldest time of the winter, relatively reliable (even when the fan went it didn't go all at once and I replaced it quickly).
Things we hate about the stove: Noisy, fans vibrate like crazy, can't get parts directly for it, no thermostat (It can have one but at this point I won't buy it), I clean it daily and it is a bit messy (may be me and not the stove)
I am looking at the home depot stoves and they seem to be an upgrade in sound quality and have thermostats with them. I know the quadra fire and harmen were the best 10 years ago. Can anyone offer some basic suggestions for an experienced pellet stover that wants a new one for a large house, with a large hopper, that doesn't look like a giant black toilet?
We are not failing yet but I am tired of the noise and may want to move this stove out of the house.