Thanks to this forum, I've narrowed my purchase down to 3. Help me choose.

[BKSinAZ]

The wife and I have narrowed our very first pellet stove purchase down to 3 units. We will be purchasing new only. They are all cast iron and free standing.

I have avoided asking this question here on this forum by attempting to do my own research, by searching this forum. However, most of the info that comes up about these 3 stoves are of older years and I know that the older year models had different issues than the newer models.

I am looking for advise on 2013 or 2014 models only because I realize that prior years had different problems that might have been fixed or different issues in the newer models. Please help me choose by giving me reasons one might be better than thee other. Feel free to ask questions of me to help evaluate.

1. Harman XXV
2. Enviro M55
3. Quadrafire Mt. Vernon AE

 

[xSpecBx]

Based on what I have read my vote would probably be the Harman. Ive recently seen a bunch of people on here with issues on the enviro. Only complaint I have seen on the quad is the auto-clean system.

 

[Big papa]

2nd on the harman stove

 

[smwilliamson]

All great choices but really you haven't narrowed anything down yet. Those are all your choices in that class

 

[smwilliamson]

Enviro has the Meridian Cast too, 45k btu in the shell of the Boston 1200 wood stove. Available summer. Lovin the wooden handle and door! Told them for years they should have a boston pellet. No idea at all why they feel they need to hang on to the meridian name.

 

[rona]

The wife and I have narrowed our very first pellet stove purchase down to 3 units. We will be purchasing new only. They are all cast iron and free standing.

I have avoided asking this question here on this forum by attempting to do my own research, by searching this forum. However, most of the info that comes up about these 3 stoves are of older years and I know that the older year models had different issues than the newer models.

I am looking for advise on 2013 or 2014 models only because I realize that prior years had different problems that might have been fixed or different issues in the newer models. Please help me choose by giving me reasons one might be better than thee other. Feel free to ask questions of me to help evaluate.

1. Harman XXV
2. Enviro M55
3. Quadrafire Mt. Vernon AE

The AE is the only multi-fuel stove in your choices If there is any chance you might burn a different fuel besides pellets that would be a big advantage. Based on your location I am guessing you don't see any below zero temps so the auto dump shouldn't give you any problems keeping the home war. The earlier problems with the AE have been solved and the only possible problem I could see would be to get a extra igniter just to have on hand. They were a problem but they have changed them so not so much any more. Still a extra igniter might prove handy.
I had one of the original AEs so I can say yes there was problems but they have been corrected and the weak points have been eliminated. Buying new gives you the advantage of warranty but based on your earlier posts you said you were buying from quite a ways away so you won't be expecting service calls to provide warranty work. There will be questions when you first get it and some common things that may happen is when the thermostat quits communicating with the stove, That requires disconnecting and allow it to reboot. Doesn't happen very often but has happened. Making use of the automatic feature will allow it to work most efficiently for you.
I guess we have seen enviro have problems with the model you mention so I'd eliminate it from the list. Harman has been getting a little to proud of themselves so if it were me I would go with the AE.

 

[Ambient]

1. Harman XXV
2. Enviro M55
3. Quadrafire Mt. Vernon AE

I just finished this very same process, in the end we went with something with a potentially longer burn time. However all three were on the top of our list when we finished our internet search, and in the order you posted them. If the burn time hadn't been an issue we would have picked the Harman XXV.

Harman XXV pro's: its pretty says the wife, it had 38500 K output, strong reputation here in our area, good dealer Con's I thought it had a very small ash pan.

Enviro 55: the ultimate decision would have been a negative as several dealers in our area weren't what we expected: unsure or not very knowledgable of the product line etc

Quadfire: ultimately seemed a bit complicated, a dealer just a bit too far and the recall/stop production of the other Mt Vernon...although I may have vetted this out a bit more if it was seriously in the running. It really dropped off the radar with the negotiator wanting the XXV

 

[Utilitrack]

You should consider the Lopi Leyden in this class as well if there is a dealer in your area.

 

[john193]

Harman xxv. No question. The MVAE is nice, but I prefered my harman. If the MVAE didn't have to have an autoclean cycle id say it's a moot point. When I get around to finishing my basement I'm getting an XXV.

Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with the autoclean other than I don't really like it. The cycle takes about 20 min from the last pellet dropped before the cleaning to a new fire. The stove continues to blow lukewarm air during the cleaning.

 

[richkorn]

Lopi Leyden (Avalon Arbor) is in that class also.

 

[johneh]

Buy what YOU like in the way of a stove
In your price range
Use a dealer with a good sales and service reputation
I like the Envro line but it may not be for you
You know it all boils down to what the Wife Likes
Happy wife happy life

 

[railfanron]

Harman has my vote also.
Ron

 

[DOLLARBILL]

I have the XXV you'll LOVE IT and it run so nice !

 

[Twinturbo6.4]

Love My XXV!!

 

[rdubs20]

Enviro has the Meridian Cast too, 45k btu in the shell of the Boston 1200 wood stove. Available summer. Lovin the wooden handle and door! Told them for years they should have a boston pellet. No idea at all why they feel they need to hang on to the meridian name.

I love the looks of the Boston! When is that cast stove coming out? Any idea on price?

 

[BrotherBart]

That will be one knocked out looking pellet stove. Can't wait to see one.

 

[stovelark]

Same here, looking forward to it. I too, thought they would go with the Boston name, I thought the Quad E2 would be my next stove, looks like it'll be the Meridian. Looking forward to it..

 

[stovelark]

rdubs if logic dictates here, price on the new stove should be around 3500-3600, the Empress is around 3300 and the M55 cast (painted black) retails around 3800. Am looking forward to it. Also, the Meridian free standing steel frame dropped to 2899, went down about 400-500. It should be a winner.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

The wife and I have narrowed our very first pellet stove purchase down to 3 units. We will be purchasing new only. They are all cast iron and free standing.

I have avoided asking this question here on this forum by attempting to do my own research, by searching this forum. However, most of the info that comes up about these 3 stoves are of older years and I know that the older year models had different issues than the newer models.

I am looking for advise on 2013 or 2014 models only because I realize that prior years had different problems that might have been fixed or different issues in the newer models. Please help me choose by giving me reasons one might be better than thee other. Feel free to ask questions of me to help evaluate.

1. Harman XXV
2. Enviro M55
3. Quadrafire Mt. Vernon AE

The XXV or in the long run you wish you had made that choice. If you don't you will remember this reply by KINSMANSTOVES until you cant remember anymore.

Eric

 

[HP52NOVA]

Went thru this very same exercise last year. Got the Harman, had issues, but I don't regret it - solid stove. All 3 are great stoves and similarly priced . I would factor into my decision the quality of the dealer I am dealing with. You can get the best stove, but with a bad install and terrible service you will not be happy. don't mess around with looks, flame beauty, color's and that kind of stuff. Get a stove that is solid, easy to fix (as they do break), has a strong company behind it and you have access to a good dealer. In the middle of the winter you wouldn't care it its green and has unicorns flying out from its bottom, as long as it WORKS!

 

[stmar]

I was going to go with the P61 but wife voted for the XXV and her vote is the only one that counts. Then I read that the XXV was quieter so win win. Hopefully will make the jump before next fall. Good luck and keep us posted on your choice and reasoning.

 

[Tonyray]

I was going to go with the P61 but wife voted for the XXV and her vote is the only one that counts. Then I read that the XXV was quieter so win win. Hopefully will make the jump before next fall. Good luck and keep us posted on your choice and reasoning.

we had the opposite...
was going to go with the XXV but I wanted the Xtra Large Ash Pan.....and hopper holds around 5 pounds more..
Both are easy enough to clean although I think the Exhaust blower fan is easier to get to on the P61...
Went for the decorative trim package also.

 

[Peterfield]

I was going to go with the P61 but wife voted for the XXV and her vote is the only one that counts. Then I read that the XXV was quieter so win win. Hopefully will make the jump before next fall. Good luck and keep us posted on your choice and reasoning.

I did a lot of research, checked all the pros and cons and after months of study, brought my wife to the stove store to show her what our choices were. As she walked through the front door, she spied a Harman 52i in Majolica Brown enamel and said I could buy any stove I wanted, as long as it looked exactly like that. I am the proud owner of a Harman 52i with the Majolica Brown enamel finish.

 

[Tonyray]

I did a lot of research, checked all the pros and cons and after months of study, brought my wife to the stove store to show her what our choices were. As she walked through the front door, she spied a Harman 52i in Majolica Brown enamel and said I could buy any stove I wanted, as long as it looked exactly like that. I am the proud owner of a Harman 52i with the Majolica Brown enamel finish.

Didn't know u were looking at Inserts..
different ballgame for maint/cleaning
But good luck with your new stove.

 

[Peterfield]

I'm not the OP, just relating my search results.