hossthehermit said:
save$ said:
If a pellet stove is cleaned or a regular basis, what is the average number of years an owner can anticipate to have good performance before laying out a lot of money for repairs. What brands of stoves have a history of holding up for the longest time. Are stove replaced more often because they wear out, no longer have parts available, or just become too outdated by better performing models? I am referring to stoves owed by an average stove owner and cared for the way an average owner does. Average meaning most common.
Are YOU an average stove owner?????????
Do YOU clean and maintain YOUR stove????????????
Do YOU just turn on the oil heat, and say "I'll fix the stove this weekend"?
Do YOU dump pellets in it and call the dealer when it just won't work anymore????
As far as your question goes, "It all depends".
I'm thinking that there are those who are aware of proven performers. In various threads there have been mention of of stoves that have come out with poor designs and incidents of failure. i.e. auger, blower, etc. With so many stoves available, and with the number of forum participants, I was looking to see if those traits are isolated or common to a stove. About every week we see a new member posting in this forum while trying to make up their mind which way to invest. I bet I went to a dozen stove shops before I took the leap into my purchase. In each visit, I would get advise on why I should buy this or that product and avoid the one the competition was selling. While you will still see some of that in this forum, most will give an objective overview. My experience is limited to knowing about a dozen others who own pellet stove. Am I average? When it comes to cleaning, I think not. I go at it a lot more than others who I know, but then, I have a lot more time on my hands. I also have been following this forum for 3 years. I don't know a thing about control boards, but I'm betting I have a good idea about what to expect from my stove. I've yet to experience a problem that was a stove failure. In my case, it was because I was on that knowledge curve learning what to do and what not to do. I.e. from Krooser, Keep it clean! from Jay, know your stove and try different pellets to see what works best for you. From Smokey, do a safe install and follow the stove's manual. Use OAK. From Kingsman, Dry pellets! and Imacan, keep your kool! Those are a few of the contributors to my learning curve and given me more than a few laughs along the way.
So yes, I agree, it does all depend!