Question about pellet consumption p43- p61a, xxv

[AZ23]

We have a 43 and in order to heat the home we run it on 4 or 5 on stove temp and and the fan at the highest setting.

Switching to a 61 or XXV would obviously mean running it on a lower setting I'm guessing as it puts out more- but what about pellet consumption. Is it better to run a bigger machine lower or a smaller one higher

 

[mikkeeh]

Shouldn't make any difference, as long as you don't run out of heating power (ie undersize the stove). If your house requires 30Kbtus to keep it at the temperature you want.....it doesn't care which stove is making the heat. It takes x number of pounds per hour of pellets to make x number of btu's. So...pellet usage should be.the same. If 30K is the magic number a P43 running at 80%, or a P61 running at 50%, pellet usage should be the same.

 

[AZ23]

ya, I just figured bigger means less timing feeding it pellets and u have the option of going sky high

 

[john193]

Is the p61 more efficient than the p43? If they are the same efficiency you will burn the same amount of pellets. The only difference is the 61 has the capacity for higher output.

Arguably you could burn more pellets running a large stove on low because of the air fuel ratio required, but that's another discussion.

 

[AZ23]

I'm still learning the ropes of it, Leaving it on stove temp 1 with a low fan setting will not provide much heat. To heat the two levels it will definitely cost you two bags a day.

 

[TonyVideo]

I have a P68 and a P43. If you use a P61 you will probably be at stove temp 3 or around there because to get the same btu the stove doesn't have to work as hard as the P43. You will use the same amount of pellets like mentioned above because you want the same amount of heat. The larger stove will give you more overhead for colder days without maxing out the P43 along with a larger hopper.

 

[AZ23]

Thanks, I am just debating now on the XXV instead of the 61!!

 

[BGStG1aholic]

Just got me a new XXV a little while ago and love it. It's very purdy(brown enamel-porcelain), will put out some good heat when turned up but is much less efficient than my 24yr. old Avalon. Maybe all new stoves are less efficient than the older ones, I'd think it should be the other way around. I'll be interested to hear some comparisons of efficiency between the different top Harman models.

 

[AZ23]

Me too, I am debating between the 61 and the XXV and need to decide now

 

[boo boo]

Me too, I am debating between the 61 and the XXV and need to decide now

I don't know the XXV but people have stated that the P series are easier to maintain Either way good luck

 

[jim2074]

I have not had any problems cleaning the xxv but I have only had the unit for 3 weeks. Very accurate and keeps the room at what ever temp I set it. I have not done a major cleaning yet. There is a nice post that was just put last week xxv one ton cleaning with lots of pictures. My wife really like the looks of the stove so that made it the one. lol

 

[iron stove]

Ive read somewhere on here, From a Cleaner combustion standpoint, you are better off running a P-43 a little hotter, like 4-5, than running a 61-68 at a#2 setting. The stove likes to run hot, hotter is cleaner, and just overall works better. I know my P-43 is easier to clean when run around a 4, and can soot up a bit on low.

 

[Pellet_Pete]

I have both stoves, though I didn't pick either (came with the house). As for pros, I like the P61A's burn pot & heat exchanger design better than the XXV. Also a bigger hopper, bigger ash pan, and very easy to brush off the ESP during cleanings. That said, the XXV is obviously the nicer-looking stove, which is why it's in our living space upstairs . Otherwise pretty comparable to operate and maintain.

 

[AZ23]

Well they say the xxv is a lot quieter. I have a 43 that I got last week and going to change it for a bigger,
Both are good units and the xxv is nicer looking but I'm more about heat.

But the quieter part makes me think it might be Bette r

 

[Pellet_Pete]

XXV is somewhat quieter, but I wouldn't call it quiet - still a lot of white noise. P61A fan is a bit louder and has a higher pitch, but really throws heat. I'd say you can't go wrong either way - just go with your gut.

 

[AZ23]

Looks aside, is there one that's easier to maintain or give better heat

 

[Pellet_Pete]

Maintenance not significantly different (see my first reply). As for heat output, the P61A is rated at 61,000 btu & the XXV at 50,000. Not sure about the actual numbers, but that sounds about right for the difference I've noticed between the two.