Drolet Spark ii vs. Osburn 950

[Dannii]

Hello all,

I have been lurking here on and off for a couple of years. After a rather short adventure with our Harman p61 pellet stove, we have decided that we want to go back to wood for our 1000ish sq ft mobile home.

Initially I was looking at the Drolet Spark ii, so I went to a local dealer and asked if they could install one. He was reluctant to back a 'big box store' stove and said he carries the Osburn 950. After coming home and doing some extensive research, I realized that they are almost identical except for a few things:
- Osburn 950 has a more durable c-cast baffles (vs the Drolet's vermiculate)
- Osburn 950 has a thicker steel plate on top (5/16" vs the Drolet which has 1/4")
-Osburn has higher density firebricks for better heat retention
-Looks like warranty on the Osburn is slightly better

Pricing for the Drolet right now if I buy it direct from the manufacturer is $1,179 Canadian but they sent me a $100 off coupon for spending over $1000. Shipping would be free.

Pricing for the Osburn is $1,999 Canadian and the dealer will order it for me/get it to my house and says he will eat the $100 shipping fee as a gesture.

The dealer tells me he spoke to his Osburn rep who told him that the Drolet will only last 5 years but the Osburn will last over 20. This seems like false information to me. Why would SBI sell any stove that would only last 5 years?

We don't have a huge budget right now as the swap from pellet stove back to wood was unexpected. And we will also be having to pay for install, venting and WETT certificate. So I guess I'm wanting to know if the Osburn is really worth the extra $900, or if it is basically the same stove but with a different sticker? I have had the exploded parts diagrams side by side and I don't see how there could be $900 difference in them.

I would love any input or feedback on either of these stoves, or anyone who can attest that Drolet stoves last at least 10 years or more with the right treatment.

Thanks!

 

[stoveliker]

It's basically the same stove, with some better material as you noticed, and some nicer trim.
The Drolet quality is far better than a 5 yr lifetime from what I can see from users here.

Imo they are up selling you.

 

[Dannii]

Thanks for the reply, @stoveliker . It does feel like he's trying to steer me towards the Osburn (I wonder if he gets a commission). He says they will install the Drolet if that's what I really want to do, but the way he is saying it makes me feel like if I choose the Drolet that it's the wrong choice. I hear nothing but good things about Drolet on here (or at least no more bad things than any other mid range brand). We had been looking at the True North TN20 but I'm not familiar with the Pacific Energy brands at all, and the parts don't seem as readily available. Anyway thanks again for the input!

 

[stoveliker]

PE is a brand you can trust as well. I believe the TN20 is a solid quality stove as well.

 

[begreen]

The Osburn has some better details and baffle, but that doesn't mean the Drolet will have a short lifespan. The True North stove is PE's value line. It's a good workhorse. The PE Super is their mainstream 2 cu ft stove.

All that said, if the dealer is offering a decent price on the Osburn, it sounds like it would be a good choice. Equally important will be the details of the flue system and its quality and sealing.