cast iron vs steel

[TonyVideo]

So are you saying that you get more heat from the p series? You'd stick with p

I looked at the XXV bought bought a P68 and P43. The P series does get hot on the outside if you are cranking heat On low you won't get scalded but know you will have touched something hot. I wanted as much heat into the room as possible even if the stove radiated heat on the outside. Check the install location distances of each stove to a wall as that may help in determining your choice depending on where you are putting it.

 

[AZ23]

Thanks, I think I am going to go with the p61 - it's a jump from the p43 and I know they are great machines.

 

[Enigma869]

So are you saying that you get more heat from the p series? You'd stick with p

Well, in my case, I have the P68, so I'm reasonably certain that I'm probably getting more heat out of this beast than most other stoves on the market. I really loved the look of my Accentra insert, but it simply wasn't capable enough for really cold days in New England. I almost always had to run the Accentra full throttle (i.e. the temperature dial cranked up as high as it would go). I never turn that same dial on my P68 past about 70 degrees and it has zero issues keeping up...even on the very coldest of days. I'm certainly not going to blame that on the steel versus cast iron debate. It has far more to do with the BTU output of the two stoves.

 

[cory127]

Thanks, I think I am going to go with the p61 - it's a jump from the p43 and I know they are great machines.

You'll love it! I had to make the same decision as you: P61 vs. XXV. We had a wood stove at our last house and I really enjoyed the radiant heat. We kept a gate around it to keep our toddler away. Now that we're at our new place I went with the 61, mostly for the BTUs, but also for the radiant heat. Gate around it to keep our 7 month old away as he gets mobile. Either way, you can't go wrong!

 

[AZ23]

So you debated the xxv too?

 

[cory127]

So you debated the xxv too?

Yes. In the end, it came down to performance. Not sure the XXV would have been able to heat my whole house. Had a couple nights in the single digits, and the P61 hasn't had a problem. It doesn't look half bad, either. Originally planned on getting the trim kit, but now that it's in, the wife and I both kind of like it just black.

 

[AZ23]

How many sq feet are you heating again? I have 2600 split entry and this going in the lower level family room.

 

[cory127]

How many sq feet are you heating again? I have 2600 split entry and this going in the lower level family room.

2500 sqft colonial. Stove is in the family room on the first floor.

 

[AZ23]

ya I have approx what you have- so probably the 61 will deliver more in cold situations

 

[Stevekng]

Another thread turned into an unrelated Harman Love Fest

 

[Hoot23]

The OP is a Harman owner.

 

[BGStG1aholic]

Actually the OP is a soon to be Harman owner. He is trying to decide between the cast XXV and the steel P series 61 stove

I just bought an XXV because of it's sheer beauty(enamel finish) and quality. I think mebee the P series is a bit more bang for the buck but not quite as purdy, just my zwei pfennig

 

[chken]

I thought the OP was a new P43 owner who decided he didn't like to run it on high feed, and wants to run a XXV or P61 on medium feed rates.

 

[BGStG1aholic]

I thought the OP was a new P43 owner who decided he didn't like to run it on high feed, and wants to run a XXV or P61 on medium feed rates.

Ohhhhhhhhh, mebee so - I appologise, musta missed that part(or quite possibly forgot)

I stand corrected

Heck OP, if you already have a P43, just buy another and put it on the other level of your split level home. Nothing more assuring than having more than one stove hooked up ready to go. They don't take up much space and are easier than heck to install. I've put my old Avalon in storage in the next room so since it's sitting there anyway I plumbed in the exhaust and oak so I can use it when I need to shut down my Harman for cleaning or whatever may happen. Kinda like having a spare tire If it's really nippy out I would'nt wanna go w/o heat for just a few days waiting for a stove part from the dealer

something to consider depending on how cold it gets in your part of the country