Poll: How happy are homeowners with the pellet stoves

Well you don't want my opinion on dtv.

 

We have lite off.

 

Oh please, do tell....lol

 

More planned obsolescence and piddle poor reception to boot.

 

I used to feel this way. But then once I got the routine down, I found it to be fairly easy. With my Harman, I've basically got to keep the 1) burn pot and ignition clean and that's pretty easy with the right tools. I can do these jobs after every bag of pellets or three... depending on the quality of pellet... and scrape out the carbon deposits as well as keep the air holes clean. That takes me all about 5 minutes to ensure the main things that can cause problems running the stove are clear. About once a month, I pull off the cast iron panels and 2) clean the back and exhaust. Putting the panels back in is a bit of a PITA but the rest of it is pretty simple. This often takes me about 30 minutes. The last thing -- which I have not done yet -- is pull the stove out and 3) clean the feeder. The guy who sales these and owns the stove himself said you only really need to do it once every 2-3 years. To do this all, I need a shop-vac, a large flathead screwdriver to scrape the carbon, and a paint brush to remove the fly ash and grime from the heat panels.

So I figure about 10-15 minutes a week for task #1 (this is arguably the most important task to keep my stove running care-free), 30 minutes a month to keep the stove running optimum or task #2, and probably an hour or two to clean the feeder or task #3 as well as shopping for tons of pellets, hauling them around the back of the house and storing them, and then loading the hopper in the morning and evenings -- yes -- it's a bit of work. But it saves me almost $200 a month during the cold season -- so in my view -- it's totally worth it. I'm 50 now. Ask me in another 10 years.

 

I am guessing from what you've written you have a Accentra Insert or a 52i. Everything looks good, except pulling it out every 2-3 years to clean mechanicals in the back......I would recommend pulling it out AT LEAST once a year, best in the spring when you're done burning for the year. A couple reasons why......the stub or full liner should be cleaned once a year, at least, and this cant be done with the stove in place. Fans sould be vacuumed, ESP cleaned off, feeder weldment cleared out, and intake damper checked for optimal opening/closing. None of these can be dont without undocking the stove from the subframe and pulling it out.

 

yup. Updated board and receiver I believe. Worked well last year and with new batteries in the thermostat everything working well this year. As a matter of fact it just fired up and is gobbling up a few Chows. Feels great after being in the deer woods all day.

Doggy

 

So....to the original question, "How happy are the homeowners with the pellet stoves?"
I would say, I’m as Happy as a Clam!

 

I would say, I’m as Happy as a Clam!

 

I voted 25% pellet but it's probably less. I burn wood in an OWB as main heat source, pellet stove is to keep our main living area toasty and for ambiance.

Absolutely love it for that though. Can raise the temp in our living room/kitchen about 15 degrees in no time at all. This way I keep the zone set at around 65 and just kick on the stove when we're in the house for a toasty 75-80.

 

My usage is 90% pellets and 10% oil during cleanings only.

 

I've been 100% pellets for several years now and it was a good transition for me thus far. I wish I would have found my P68 long ago. I still like wood but am still really enjoying the break from that. I even bought the HD $519 NC 30 wood stove deal and have yet to install that. It was going to be in this heating season but.......

Two back to back serious injuries stopped that. First was a fall with two broken ankles and right heel. Second was a motorcycle wreck as soon as I was able to ride resulting in a broken back, ribs, and a mangled up leg. Two surgeries and a bunch of hardware installed and I'm doing OK now.

I'm finally walking again and plan on moving forward from this point. My pellet stoves have been a damm good bang for the buck and convenient too while I've been crippled up. The last year and a half has sucked for the most part but I'm still kick'in.

 

Dang hard to like that. I knew about your 1st injury but somehow missed the motorcycle wreck. Hopefully all your bad luck is behind you and it is clear sailing from here on out!

 

Sorry to hear about those injuries . Glad to hear your on the mend

 

I had the bike wreck 6/19/17 and am doing well thus far considering. No surprise not knowing since it was in the summer and many don't hang around cold weather forums etc when it's warm.

I appreciate everyones well wishes. Thank You! I'll be fine and I'm up and running again but still have some issues that will take a bit more time to get healed up 100%. It's cool here but going thru a warm up and Tuesday is supposed to be in the lower to mid 50's for a high and then cold and snowy for Christmas.

The temps here have fluctuated where it has been colder here at times vs. up north and then warmer. They've always said if you don't like the weather here stick around for 5 minutes because it will change. We never know what to expect.

 

You nailed it. And you've inspired me to undock it in the spring time. I just want to because I want to know the ins and outs. The sooner I am familiar with all the procedures the better. At very least I can tell you if I agree with your frequency or not.

 

Lousyweather has forgotten more than you'll ever know about a Harman. Pay head to what he says.

 

where do i send the beer?