Many pellet stoves are designed to look like traditional wood stoves, but not so with the Francesca from EcoTeck. A slim profile and elegant majolica (metal glazed ceramic) outer panels give it a contemporary look. Then there's the optional satellite control unit that allows you to turn off, turn on or adjust the stove from anywhere in the world.
Whether you're on your way home from work or on a trip abroad you can send a message that tells your stove to get to work. Your stove will then send you back confirmation that it has started burning, and you can adjust the temperature remotely.
Even if you don't opt for that space age technology, the stove's standard thermostat can be programmed with weekday and weekend start and stop times.
This isn't a behemoth that will heat a huge house; the hopper holds just 33 pounds of pellets for a burn time of 9 to 30 hours. EcoTek suggests this model for an apartment, second home or as a supplement to a central heating system.
A separate ash pan makes clean up easy and a dedicated air blower keeps the viewing window clean. A stainless steel heat exchanger and a burn chamber lined with a light-weight vermiculite based brick are other quality features.
Weighing just 190 pounds, the stove is direct-vent. It comes in four colors: red, beige, black or gray.