Pellet stoves similar to cars?

[Ctcarl]

So I see lots of threads here with this and that wrong.Mostly with old stoves. Now I'm a newb and still learning.how ever I tend to notice patterns. Like for Instance my first used stove I bought was a EF3 inviro noting but problems.my daughters car we just got rid of. A 2003 accord with noting but problems the final straw was burning a court of oil every 100 miles two garages wanted $2800 plus for rings. I was fed up and traded it In for a 2008 Malibu with 34 k and got the extended warranty.So this leads me to believe that stove are the same. True you can get a lemon with a stove or car.After being with out my stove because of the tech Ordering a new snap discs taking 3 weeks(yea right he waited for more calls in my area)on a used stove from 1994 I had enough and saved for my p35i harman.I do understand there's new stoves with same problems but you have the warranty .So people with old stoves with constant problems maybe it's time to trade in And get a new one just a thought .Ps this forum is amazing i have learned so much and keep learning.

 

[Bioburner]

Unfortunately some stove manufactures have a very poor history of service and support and product. Three strikes and I wish they were out

 

[Ctcarl]

To all those that have that mechanical skill to order a part and fix it your self. Power to you but guys like me paying the $150 service calls that would hurt .i saved for a good year and a half not doing the family dinners once a week( wife was angry about that lol).The day I Finally got my Harman p35i was exciting !

 

[Bioburner]

To all those that have that mechanical skill to order a part and fix it your self. Power to you but guys like me paying the $150 service calls that would hurt .i saved for a good year and a half not doing the family dinners once a week( wife was angry about that lol).The day I Finally got my Harman p35i was exciting !

Now she's warm and saving some $$$. What does she say to that?

 

[Ctcarl]

Now she's warm and saving some $$$. What does she say to that?

Happy wife happy life lol

 

[moey]

There are bad years for anything. My 96 accord has 300k miles on it very few repairs. Congrats on saving your money for a stove..

 

[Mt Bob]

So I see lots of threads here with this and that wrong.Mostly with old stoves. Now I'm a newb and still learning.how ever I tend to notice patterns. Like for Instance my first used stove I bought was a EF3 inviro noting but problems.my daughters car we just got rid of. A 2003 accord with noting but problems the final straw was burning a court of oil every 100 miles two garages wanted $2800 plus for rings. I was fed up and traded it In for a 2008 Malibu with 34 k and got the extended warranty.So this leads me to believe that stove are the same. True you can get a lemon with a stove or car.After being with out my stove because of the tech Ordering a new snap discs taking 3 weeks(yea right he waited for more calls in my area)on a used stove from 1994 I had enough and saved for my p35i harman.I do understand there's new stoves with same problems but you have the warranty .So people with old stoves with constant problems maybe it's time to trade in And get a new one just a thought .Ps this forum is amazing i have learned so much and keep learning.

I agree on a lot of what you said(being a mechanic),but yes new stoves have warrenty,but try to get some of them fixed!Also,as I try to help out people on thus forum,and they are way over their head and throw money away.Makes me want to ask-if your car is dead in your driveway,and you need it,you have already spent $300.,worked on it 5 times,and it still does not run,when do you call an expert?

 

[rwthomas1]

Yes, all machines are the same. If you can fix things then used, older, broken, etc. is a good deal. People with skills can save a ton of money but we pay in time, effort, and sometimes frustration. Those without skills and/or time will have to go with new with warranty and service. Nothing worse for any machine than deferred maintenance, which is usually from people with no clue. I would have pulled the Accord engine and rebuilt it or just dropped a good used engine in over a weekend, but thats because I can. Most people are quite happy to never touch a wrench. RT

 

[Madcodger]

This is true of any mechanical device. Use causes wear, which necessitates repair now and then. What amazes me are the folks who 1) think that's not true and 2) fail to take preventive measures (cleaning, oil, etc).

 

[Bioburner]

General public has been spoiled by the modern furnace with its low failure rate. Another reason CO detectors are mandatory here because of failure to get them serviced

 

[ironpony]

I agree on a lot of what you said(being a mechanic),but yes new stoves have warrenty,but try to get some of them fixed!Also,as I try to help out people on thus forum,and they are way over their head and throw money away.Makes me want to ask-if your car is dead in your driveway,and you need it,you have already spent $300.,worked on it 5 times,and it still does not run,when do you call an expert?

yes with certain people you find a pattern. My BIL car broke, plumbing broke, lawn mower etc. anyone see a pattern here. Oh and he fixed them all himself.

 

[Ctcarl]

Actually last summer my rider mower was banging loud not normal. Took her apart and it was a pipe the just ended to be tightened.Yes is a good feeling to fix something that pricey and about 4 years old . The honda I got with 70 k and thought they go forever. I get oil changed as should as well as belts what ever is required. This car was started with bearings $600 then more motor wrk. I think all said and done I put about $1500 in it.Car was only 2 years old. So when the motor went I was done with it. Just like my used enviro ef3 insert I got A year and a half ago.4 service calls and not being able to use it when you need it most.teo chimney fires cause the idiot that installed didn't fix the damper and told me don't worry if that flies my wrk. That was it. When the harman tech took it he looked at it cut all the wire to release the panel and said. We can't resell this it's going for scrap metal .

 

[Lake Girl]

Chimney fire Glad you like the new Harman - wishing many years of happy burning! So, did you go out to dinner to celebrate?

 

[Ctcarl]

Chimney fire Glad you like the new Harman - wishing many years of happy burning! So, did you go out to dinner to celebrate?

Thank you the whole family loves itWe are doing a date night this sat to celebrate .been a busy few weeks lol

 

[briansol]

IMO, it's all about maintenance and how you take care of it.

An accord should last 200k without any of the failures you mention If properly maintained it's whole life. If you neglect when it's young, you get premature wear.



And 2800 for rings is ridiculous. You can replace that whole long block for under $1000 bucks form a junkyard motor. All you need is a hoist, a 10,12, 17mm socket set to do it too.... Sorry you bought a Malibu. :X

 

[Ctcarl]

IMO, it's all about maintenance and how you take care of it.

An accord should last 200k without any of the failures you mention If properly maintained it's whole life. If you neglect when it's young, you get premature wear.



And 2800 for rings is ridiculous. You can replace that whole long block for under $1000 bucks form a junkyard motor. All you need is a hoist, a 10,12, 17mm socket set to do it too.... Sorry you bought a Malibu. :X

Yea I maintain all my cars,lawnmowers,snowblower as I should. In very believe if you tacke care of something it should do the same to you. The accord was a POS.Everybody and oh it's Japanese it last forever lol I have a nighbor with a brand spanking new Accord and it's been leaking oil in his garage. They on there 4 th attempt and still trying.The Malibu is holding it's own compared to the accord.

 

[briansol]

Honda went downhill after 2000. The old man died, the son took over, and it's been mediocracy and profit taking ever since. I was a huge Honda fan back in the day (I owned 5 of them before I was 20) and even run a website dedicated to aftermarket stuff for them. I wouldn't buy one today.

 

[Pellet-King]

I wish car's were as easy as pellet stroves to fix, esp new car's
Ford Senior and ASE master tech 30+ yr's

 

[Mt Bob]

Oh

I wish car's were as easy as pellet stroves to fix, esp new car's
Ford Senior and ASE master tech 30+ yr's

oh no,a ford tech!Sorry,couldn't resist.Pellet stoves are a lot like what I have said for years about datsuns and toyotas,toyota quality is about 18% better,but cost 30% more.Customer has to be the judge.

 

[rona]

General public has been spoiled by the modern furnace with its low failure rate. Another reason CO detectors are mandatory here because of failure to get them serviced

On the other hand how many homes have exploded by the use of a corn or pellet stove as compared to nat gas or LP. Regular maintenance would solve a lot of problems. One of the things I have noticed is the majority of dealers down-play the maintenance involved in using a pellet stove. Then after the sale the truth comes out that ,well, the corn may have to be 12% moisture for the stove to operate right or you may have to burn a blend of corn and pellets for successful operation.
Every brand or model has certain quirks that some people can tolerate while others would not be happy with that model. If you are home and can service the stove morning and night a small fuel hopper or a small ash container wouldn't matter but if you have different hours then you will want a large capacity fuel hopper and ash drawer. If you only burn pellets you have a larger selection to choose then if you want to burn corn or other grains besides pellets. If you want to do the minimum maintenance then you better find a dealer who will service your stove after the sale. It is wise to check out the dealer before buying the stove.
How fancy of a stove do you want? Do you want the convenience of push button start, auto dump, thermostat, You can buy a stove that you can start and stop via your "smart phone" if desired.
My best advice would be to talk to people who have owned their pellet stove for a couple years and get their opinion of their purchase. The first season is going to be a learning experience no matter what brand you buy.
There is also little nuggets of wisdom for each model of stove made but the best one is , A clean stove is a happy stove.