Pellet Stove for Small workshop

[Greg1881]

I have a workshop that is 300 sq ft with 10 ft ceilings and looking to go to an inexpensive pellet stove. I have a Quadrafire wood stove in the house and it works great, but I don't want to deal with firewood. I will spend about four to five hours a day in there three times a week, then in a couple years when I move it may go into a garage of 700 sq ft. I looked at the $900 units from the two big box retailers, but the reviews aren't that great. Any suggestions on an in expense Pellet stove. Thankyou

 

[stovelark]

No such thing as inexpensive pellet stoves... unfortunately. I'd suggest something like a Quad Santa Fe, something steel frame to keep cost down. Or maybe go used, if you can find a quality stove. Good luck.

 

[Ssyko]

Ditto Stovelark’s post. Some info on box store stoves along with their reviews. Most think they get a stove, install, fire it up and they are done. Just keep it full of pellets. There is maintenance on all pellet stoves. Keeping them clean is one of the big ones! Most here know im pretty blunt🤪 i would stay clear of box store stoves

 

[Washed-Up]

I found a a Harman Invincible RS for $300, we installed it in my buddy’s 800 sq ft shop, 12ft ceilings and it keeps it toasty, has been maintenance free aside for cleaning this past year

 

[ericofmaine]

OK, I guess I'll go against the wisdom of the group. I have two Englanders (formerly box store stoves), both vintage 2008/2009 and both have been chugging along without any major issues (or at least none I viewed as major). Can typically find them used for $200-$300. Might need a little work but in my view they're bulletproof.

Eric

 

[Ssyko]

Old ones are brotha 👍

 

[tbear853]

I used to be a Trooper, and had some inspection stations that I supervised, one was a old old garage operated by an older fellow since the '40s. One really cold day I walked in to just say Hi, etc. ..... and it was toasty in there. Big open shop, had a wood stove in the center setting up on a steel table so the fire was a good 2 plus feet up off the floor. Not a big stove, but he had a fan he could move around the table to aim heat. I also saw a small copper tube from the stove up into the loft. It run to his oil tank where he poured used motor oil. It had a valve for adjusting feed rate. That stove would likely burn anything you fed it. Shop is still there, but is now a just local indoor community antique shop.

I use a radiant heater in my shop, one pellet stove is enough to keep up with feeding, cleaning, fixing, etc.

 

[Jeremy6500]

I have a PP130 that was in my house when I bought it. I have used it for 4-5 years. It would be considered a box store stove, but it has been very reliable for me. I have had to replace the room blower and the igniter. I saw one new at the local farm store for $1200.

The absolute biggest thing for having a “trouble free” stove is cleanliness. Not just “I vacuumed it out good”. The exhaust venting is crucial. I use an old leaf blower to clean the exhaust venting. It is the best thing I have found. Also the holes in your burn pot need cleaned. If you get build up that slightly reduces flow through them it can cause issues. I use a wire wheel on my grinder to clean the burn pot about once a month. Since figuring out what I needed to do to clean them well, I have had no issues with either of my stoves ( I have 2. A USSC 6500 and a PP130)

 

[numbcoffee]

In total agreement of everything here, still have my 1992 Englander PDVC which is sitting in storage, until I get it back going later...
Unfortunately we bought for an outside building a Cleveland Iron Works 215 mini stove from a box store and it's been horrific. A board just fried, we've replaced combustion blower fans and it did actually ignite pellets in the hopper at one time under a year of use and clean as a whistle at the time.

Stay with the old ones, if it isn't heavier than hell to move, I am not interested in it.