Looking to buy a pellet stove

[glange1969]

Hi ,
I am looking to purchase a pellet / multifuel stove. Dealers near me carry just
about every brand. My budget for a stove is around $2500 ( just for the stove ).
I have looked at the cumberland mf3800 , Englander 25pdvc , Breckwell Big E ,
and some of the TSC , Lowe's and Home Depot brands.
My home is a 1890 farmhouse that is decently insulated and around 1800 sqft.
I need durability and reliability in my new stove , looks are not a big deal.
I have researched the ones I have looked at and found all to have issues.
Looking for any helpful opinions out there !! Thanks , Jerry

 

[reallyte]

All of those you listed are on the cheaper side. Just remember you get what you pay for.

 

[glange1969]

Also looking at the Harmon P43 , My house is actually 1225 sqft. on main level , with another 450 sqft upstairs.
What's your thoughts on this unit at @ $ 2900

 

[reallyte]

P43 is very nice and won't be picky on pellets. I'm partial to the quads in this price range for their simplicity and quality.

 

[hyfire]

What kind of issues???????????????? The Maxx-M would suite you fine, its more efficient than the my eco-65, with a good heat output.

 

[iceguy4]

My budget for a stove is around $2500 ( just for the stove ).

Well this is the situation...you can pay now or pay later.
I recommend Harman or comparable. In your situation (this late in the season) you have to decide what it best for you...Jump now and buy a stove in your budget and save on heat costs for the rest of the season....Or wait till spring when ALL heating equipment will be cheaper and get a better stove that burns cheap pellets (not ass stoves do) Maybe used...Myself I would take the time now to research what size, brand, and type fits your lifestyle. and I would take advantage of the season(SPRING) to hammer out the best price I could... For me a boiler best fit my needs and I love having warm corners and nooks...wifey does too

 

[wwert]

You Harmon owners really need to stop drinking the kool aid. There are a number of well made stoves on the market and they don't all start with an H. That being said I would recommend Enviro, Quadrafire, Lopi, Avalon and I'm sure there are a few more. If you are handy a used stove could be an option. Harm an makes a very good product but it's not the only one.

 

[Bioburner]

Hows the service from the local dealer? That can be a deciding factor if your mechanically challenged. These things take some care. What is your daily propain consumption as that will give us an idea of btus you will be trying to displace with pellets.

 

[glange1969]

Not sure about the local dealers service , have heard they are ok , but have never dealt first hand with them.

 

[glange1969]

Not sure about the local dealers service , have heard they are ok , but have never dealt first hand with them.

I am gone 2-3 days at a time during the week , so looking for something that we be ok without a goo cleaning during that time.

 

[Bioburner]

Stove with a extended hopper and self cleaning pot or tray.

 

[glange1969]

Stove with a extended hopper and self cleaning pot or tray.

hopper is not a big deal , wife can fill that up.
Thinking Harman P43 may be good for my needs

 

[Bioburner]

hopper is not a big deal , wife can fill that up.
Thinking Harman P43 may be good for my needs

Been many on here that have had the call, "the stove is not running" Fill it up and keep the ash bin empty and a P series will run for weeks without opening the fire chamber door, but a quick scrape a day will make for a better fire.

 

[glange1969]

Thanks everyone , I'm thinking Harman P43 for a few hundred dollars more.
Is there any other bottom feeders out there besides Harman ?

 

[P38X2]

My #1 complaint about my P38 (P43) was the hopper size. The stove was generally driven fairly hard during the dead of winter and I really had to stay on top of things regarding keeping the hopper filled. Add a hopper extension to a P43 and you might as well buy the 61. While it won't have the capacity of the 43 with an extension, it will give you very workable reload times and a whole lot more oomph to boot.

 

[glange1969]

My #1 complaint about my P38 (P43) was the hopper size. The stove was generally driven fairly hard during the dead of winter and I really had to stay on top of things regarding keeping the hopper filled. Add a hopper extension to a P43 and you might as well buy the 61. While it won't have the capacity of the 43 with an extension, it will give you very workable reload times and a whole lot more oomph to boot.

The 61 is about $600-700 more. Not realistic for me....I am home at least 4 days a week, all day , so I should be ok..

 

[glange1969]

The 61 is about $600-700 more. Not realistic for me....I am home at least 4 days a week, all day , so I should be ok..

Thanks for the info though

 

[P38X2]

The 61 is about $600-700 more. Not realistic for me....I am home at least 4 days a week, all day , so I should be ok..

You sure on that price? Harman is having a pretty good sale right now. Even before the sale was running, the 61 was $3339 at my dealer.

Ah, nevermind. I see you're in the land of the deep freeze. The dealers can command the big bucks there. Worth double checking on that sale though, if you already haven't. I think it's a total of $350 off any Harman.

Sounds like the hopper capacity on the 43 will work for you. It's a nice stove that will surprise you with it's output.

 

[jdinny]

I got my P43 from a smaller dealer for $2500 out the door.
It heats my 2100 sq ft cape chalet with open floor plan with ease.
I give the burn pot a scrape or two a day, and a good cleaning on Sundays.
I've burned Tractor Supply, AWF's, Heat Resource, Presto's, Green Supreme's, and Stove Chow's all with great results, only difference being the amount of ash.
This is a great stove, heats fantastic with minimal maintenance.
You won't go wrong with a P43

 

[glange1969]

I got my P43 from a smaller dealer for $2500 out the door.
It heats my 2100 sq ft cape chalet with open floor plan with ease.
I give the burn pot a scrape or two a day, and a good cleaning on Sundays.
I've burned Tractor Supply, AWF's, Heat Resource, Presto's, Green Supreme's, and Stove Chow's all with great results, only difference being the amount of ash.
This is a great stove, heats fantastic with minimal maintenance.
You won't go wrong with a P43

Sounds like the stove for me.......Thanks

 

[glange1969]

Is the trim kit and front plate something I can add on later , on the P43 ?

 

[P38X2]

Is the trim kit and front plate something I can add on later , on the P43 ?

Yep

ETA-You will have to drill holes in the door to attach the trim plate, but it's no big deal. If you decide you don't like it down the road, take the plate off and put the bolts back in.

 

[Lake Girl]

If you have decided on the Harman, go to the website and get their coupon if the dealer hasn't mentioned this... You can search on the internet for dealer performance. Too many complaints leaves me wondering on future warranty service.

 

[iceguy4]

Thanks everyone , I'm thinking Harman P43 for a few hundred dollars more.
Is there any other bottom feeders out there besides Harman

You have done your research...Stay the coarse...

Edit Bottom/side feeders rule with low grade dusty pellets

 

[rick31797]

Right or wrong i was told by a dealer Harmon is not the stove they use to be since being bought out, not sure when that happened, maybe years ago..he said the new owners started cutting corners,