I've spent hours on this site reading reviews/comments, plus more hours on vendor and manufacturer sites- i've learned a lot (thanks!) and for many reasons (what my local stores carry chief among them) have narrowed my options to the Harman XXV and Lopi Leyden. I'm sure (?) they're both fine stoves and will function well as a secondary heating source for our house.
What I need help with is this: does anyone have opinions/experience on which is easier to maintain/clean, or troubleshoot problems? I'm a little daunted by the challenge of regular maintenance... our man of the house travels and this will be my chore entirely. I'm more concerned with the ongoing cleaning- is it really as simple as using a pellet vacuum to clean? there must be more to it! please give me the real scoop no matter how time intensive cleaning would be- I'd like to know. Is there other maintenance I'd need to do beyond cleaning that is not part of the annual check-up that I plan to have our local store do?
Is there an advantage to getting the Lopi since it can burn a 50% corn mix in additon to all wood pellets? would i want to or is that just a marketing ploy?
Is noise really an issue with either of these stoves? I keep reading Harman is quieter- but don't they all make a fair amount of 'fan' noise?
Any comments/suggestions you can offer would be greatly appreciated- I'll take the good and the bad- it will all help me determine what stove I'll be able to manage better! Thanks
Beth
What I need help with is this: does anyone have opinions/experience on which is easier to maintain/clean, or troubleshoot problems? I'm a little daunted by the challenge of regular maintenance... our man of the house travels and this will be my chore entirely. I'm more concerned with the ongoing cleaning- is it really as simple as using a pellet vacuum to clean? there must be more to it! please give me the real scoop no matter how time intensive cleaning would be- I'd like to know. Is there other maintenance I'd need to do beyond cleaning that is not part of the annual check-up that I plan to have our local store do?
Is there an advantage to getting the Lopi since it can burn a 50% corn mix in additon to all wood pellets? would i want to or is that just a marketing ploy?
Is noise really an issue with either of these stoves? I keep reading Harman is quieter- but don't they all make a fair amount of 'fan' noise?
Any comments/suggestions you can offer would be greatly appreciated- I'll take the good and the bad- it will all help me determine what stove I'll be able to manage better! Thanks
Beth