New or used

[Devito72]

very confused and need help they are both inserts..I can buy a brand new harman 300i with all the warranties for $2300 or buy a used 2012 ozburn 2400 with ss pipe adapter and chimney cover with no warranties for $1200 what would you do

 

[MaintenanceMan]

Is the Ozburn 2400 an insert or freestander?

 

[Devito72]

Is the Ozburn 2400 an insert or freestander?

Both are inserts

 

[Grisu]

The harman is a downdraft stove which are finicky to operate and the refractory back can break more easily than the firebox of a secondary burn stove. Not sure if I would go for that insert even when it is between similar new units. The price for the Osburn sounds great for just a few years old insert. If you can make sure it has not been overfired and is still in good condition I would take it.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Personally I would keep shopping, a new unit is going to last you a long time, don't rush this decision.....

 

[MaintenanceMan]

Both are inserts

Should of caught that in the first sentence of your op..

I personally would be very leery of a downdraft stove. Just my 2cents.

 

[Devito72]

The harman is a downdraft stove which are finicky to operate and the refractory back can break more easily than the firebox of a secondary burn stove. Not sure if I would go for that insert even when it is between similar new units. The price for the Osburn sounds great for just a few years old insert. If you can make sure it has not been overfired and is still in good condition I would take it.

Sorry I don't know much about stoves what is a downdraft stove

 

[Devito72]

Should of caught that in the first sentence of your op..

I personally would be very leery of a downdraft stove. Just my 2cents.

That's ok any help is appreciated ...what is a downdraft stove

 

[Devito72]

My brother in law is pushing me to the new harman cause he says they stand behind their stoves warranty wise and with the used stove there is none..my buddy has bought a couple used stoves and said he would never buy new

 

[Jags]

Downdraft refers to the path that air moves through the stove. I will admit that I am negatively biased against this design. Harman makes some great stoves, but a downdraft (from any MFG), would not make it into my home. They are notoriously finicky in operation. Some folks can get them dialed in, some can't. The refractory parts of this type of stove is also a "maintenance" item and often pricey. Even as a seasoned burner, I would not own one. Just THIS dudes opinion.

 

[Devito72]

The harman is a downdraft stove which are finicky to operate and the refractory back can break more easily than the firebox of a secondary burn stove. Not sure if I would go for that insert even when it is between similar new units. The price for the Osburn sounds great for just a few years old insert. If you can make sure it has not been overfired and is still in good condition I would take it.

What is a downdraft stove and is the harman really that bad ..I looked at the used ozburn and it seems to b in good condition

 

[Jags]

What is a downdraft stove and is the harman really that bad

No - the harman is no worse than any other downdraft stove. They are ALL bad.
General idea of a downdraft stove:

 

[Devito72]

No - the harman is no worse than any other downdraft stove. They are ALL bad.
General idea of a downdraft stove:

View attachment 163267

No - the harman is no worse than any other downdraft stove. They are ALL bad.
General idea of a downdraft stove:

View attachment 163267

this is the harman it doesn't look like the pic u posted

 

[Jags]

this is the harman it doesn't look like the pic u posted

Same basic principal of burning the off gassing of the wood. Yes - there are different designs to make this happen. Some slightly better than others. Again - it is simply MY opinion regarding down draft stoves.

 

[mellow]

I agree, with a downdraft style stove your wood and draft needs to optimal.

Check out this thread on the 300i: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/harman-300i-help.124610/

 

[Devito72]

All this said aren't all the new epa certified stoves will have this feature

 

[Jags]

All this said aren't all the new epa certified stoves will have this feature

Reburn tech? Yes. Down draft - no. Tube stoves and cat stoves burn the gasses as they naturally rise from the heat of the fire heading towards the exit. They don't try to redirect the airflow (back down). That is the part that gets touchy. Re-directing the air flow is in part played by draft. If your total system works, the stove will work. One part of the system a little out of wack (just for example, say a 15ft stack instead of a 20ft) - where a typical epa stove may be able to work around it, a down draft stove is just gonna be a fight. I will not willingly invite extra variables to proper stove operation if there is no need to.

Oh - how are you with pulling a stove apart to replace the refractory parts that WILL need to be replaced?