What pellet stove should I buy off Craigslist

[Big Dan]

I have never owned a pellet stove but I am going to buy a used one off Craigslist to replace old Nashua that we only use on really cold days. It's in the basement. I have no idea what brands or models to look for or avoid. I can fix or service anything I get as long as parts are available. but I don't want to do it too often. Any advise from you pro pellet burners would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[MikeNH]

Hard to give advice on a make/model, but whatever you go look at, if it's possible, have them run it through a burn cycle for you. Sit there and observe (do you see, hear, smell anything that puts a red flag up). Make sure it all works. I don't know if its possible to overfire a pellet stove as you can a wood stove, but check for cracks and busted weld points anyway. To check its age, there should be a manufacture date stamped on the back somewhere. Use the internet to research it and make sure you can still buy parts. We scored our basement stove on craigslist this way. 2010 Heatilator PS35 - original owner maintained it well. It was too small for his house, so he was selling it. I took the thing apart and looked at the blowers, wiring, etc - the thing was spotless so the guy either kept it this way all the time, or cared enough to clean it up nice to sell it. To me, that spoke about the seller's character, but he still ran it through a cycle for me, which spoke even more. That's my long answer. My short answer is, look for Harmans if you have the $.

 

[Bioburner]

With the current cold snap may make purchasing a used stove a bit harder. The Harman p series is very easy to work on and some parts available without going to dealer. New exhaust fan $101 amazon. The stove is also easy to keep clean with the accordion style exchanger. Some of the quads are simple,Santa Fe, not as robustly built and needing more attention. Whats your budget? Maybe a refurb from AMFM wit good customer support.

 

[SwineFlue]

I have never owned a pellet stove

I can fix or service anything I get as long as parts are available

Take a look at the ESW factory-refurbished stoves from AM/FM Energy like Bioburner suggested.
(broken link removed to http://www.amfmenergy.com/manufacturer-refurbished-stoves.html)

As for Quad's, mine has been very reliable. Since 2007, it's only needed regular cleanings, a new convection (room air) blower, and a new door gasket. I don't know the history before that (it was here when we moved in), but I think most everything else is original from 2002.

Most manufacturers have owners manuals available on their web sites. The manual can provide good info (including installation/venting requirements) about any stove you see on CL.

 

[Big Dan]

Hard to give advice on a make/model, but whatever you go look at, if it's possible, have them run it through a burn cycle for you. Sit there and observe (do you see, hear, smell anything that puts a red flag up). Make sure it all works. I don't know if its possible to overfire a pellet stove as you can a wood stove, but check for cracks and busted weld points anyway. To check its age, there should be a manufacture date stamped on the back somewhere. Use the internet to research it and make sure you can still buy parts. We scored our basement stove on craigslist this way. 2010 Heatilator PS35 - original owner maintained it well. It was too small for his house, so he was selling it. I took the thing apart and looked at the blowers, wiring, etc - the thing was spotless so the guy either kept it this way all the time, or cared enough to clean it up nice to sell it. To me, that spoke about the seller's character, but he still ran it through a cycle for me, which spoke even more. That's my long answer. My short answer is, look for Harmans if you have the $.

Thanks for advice. I'm definitely not going to buy anything they don't let me Inspect and ttest

 

[Big Dan]

anybody ever run a lopi pioneer? what do you think a Used one 6 years old in decent shape is worth?

 

[Big Dan]

Take a look at the ESW factory-refurbished stoves from AM/FM Energy like Bioburner suggested.
(broken link removed to http://www.amfmenergy.com/manufacturer-refurbished-stoves.html)

As for Quad's, mine has been very reliable. Since 2007, it's only needed regular cleanings, a new convection (room air) blower, and a new door gasket. I don't know the history before that (it was here when we moved in), but I think most everything else is original from 2002.

Most manufacturers have owners manuals available on their web sites. The manual can provide good info (including installation/venting requirements) about any stove you see on CL.

My buddy has a quad, he loves it. If I can find one for the right price I on it.

 

[Big Dan]

With the current cold snap may make purchasing a used stove a bit harder. The Harman p series is very easy to work on and some parts available without going to dealer. New exhaust fan $101 amazon. The stove is also easy to keep clean with the accordion style exchanger. Some of the quads are simple,Santa Fe, not as robustly built and needing more attention. Whats your budget? Maybe a refurb from AMFM wit good customer support.

budget is craigslist cheap

 

[SwineFlue]

In that case, also keep an eye out for the Heatilator brand that MikeNH mentioned. They are a lower-cost version of a Quad... same company (Harman/Quad/Heatilator are all part of HHT) and similar operation.

 

[Bioburner]

CL is a bad low price reference. I see stuff on it that I can get cheaper new. The advertising is cheap. I see used Bixbys listed all the time but just because they paid big bucks they think that they should recoup that. Local shop bought a bunch of them and is selling the last model of production for 1200 new but people want more than that for their used old models(example). This site can be a great tool to check and see what the problem areas may be and look for them when shopping.

 

[rona]

Study before you go shopping. Often times you can get a good deal but don't let the gold or nickel trim fool you. Generally there is something wrong or needs fixing when you see a good deal. Often if you brought that same used stove to a dealer to get fixed you will end up spending a fair chunk of money.
I have bought 4,000 stoves for as low as 250.00. Spent 200.00 and a little time and I have a good as new unit heating my house. But I know that model inside and out plus I know how to find parts reasonable. You can buy used Box Store units cheap but you get what you pay for too.
Educate yourself first by listing what you want your stove to do and then get the one size that fits your home. Do you want auto ignition? thermostat, large fuel capacity and large ash drawer so you don't have to shut it off and dump ashes or add fuel all the time. There is many brands of stoves and they all will brag about something but often there is weak points you never considered. Sometimes in the heat of the moment we get impulsive and buy because it looks cute. It isn't long before looks cute becomes a pain in the ass because it needs filling 3 times a day or has to be shut down to clean the pot or some other thing we weren't aware of.
One thing to remember is it is going to pay for itself so you can spend extra money knowing you will be saving money for several years. If you buy a junk heap real cheap and later you decide to update you probably will be married to the cheap one you bought.