We looked long and hard at the Empress. It’s a really nice looking stove.
We had a couple of concerns, though:
1) Enviro reduced the BTU rating by a substantial amount. Nobody could explain to me why the did this.
2) The burn-pot has no self-cleaning capability. My understanding is that you need to clean out the burn-pot much more often as a result.
We’ve gone with the Harman Accentra. It’s too early for us to make and conclusions, but so far I am very happy. My only gripe with the Harman is that you can’t hook it up to a traditional thermostat. It’s also fairly loud for an insert, although this doesn’t bother me too much since we don’t have a TV in that room.
We looked long and hard at the Empress. It’s a really nice looking stove.
We had a couple of concerns, though:
1) Enviro reduced the BTU rating by a substantial amount. Nobody could explain to me why the did this.
2) The burn-pot has no self-cleaning capability. My understanding is that you need to clean out the burn-pot much more often as a result.
We’ve gone with the Harman Accentra. It’s too early for us to make and conclusions, but so far I am very happy. My only gripe with the Harman is that you can’t hook it up to a traditional thermostat. It’s also fairly loud for an insert, although this doesn’t bother me too much since we don’t have a TV in that room.
We have a TV next to the fireplace and noise will be an issue. I need to manualy clean the burn pot on my Big-e, so doing it with the Empress should be no problem.
I thought the only “self cleaning” burn pot was the enviro Omega????
Harman’s don’t have a self cleaning burn-pot per se. However, the auger feed from underneath pushes ashes out of the burn-pot, so less manual ash removal is required.
Harman’s don’t have a self cleaning burn-pot per se. However, the auger feed from underneath pushes ashes out of the burn-pot, so less manual ash removal is required.
At least that’s my understanding.
I do belive in the future that self cleaning pots will be the in thing. I hope so because it make it easy.
Have you checked the cost of pellets? The cost per KBTU using pellets?
My chimney cleaner guy was by today to do a roto-cleaning on my main fireplace and we talked about fireplace inserts and he commented on the high cost of pellet fuel, he even gave me a number but I didn’t take much note as I’m a wood (or coal) burning guy.
Have you checked the cost of pellets? The cost per KBTU using pellets?
My chimney cleaner guy was by today to do a roto-cleaning on my main fireplace and we talked about fireplace inserts and he commented on the high cost of pellet fuel, he even gave me a number but I didn’t take much note as I’m a wood (or coal) burning guy.
I will be using wood in the cellar. I love the easy way the pellet stove operates.My allergies don’t allow the use of wood upstairs.
I really like the Quadrafire Classic Bay 1200i....and not because I happen to have a new one. It’s a proven design that’s been working for years. Simplicity, heat output, good looks and great tech support. What’s not to like?
I really like the Quadrafire Classic Bay 1200i....and not because I happen to have a new one. It’s a proven design that’s been working for years. Simplicity, heat output, good looks and great tech support. What’s not to like?
Bought a Quadra - Fire Mt. Vernon insert, in Dec. it is self cleaning. All you have to do is empty the tray and the collection outside the pot once a week. I burn locally made pellets from Corinth Maine. Have to empty the tray every two weeks or so. It is a great stove, the earlier version had many problems due to a major change in there design and engineering. If you want a stove that is quieter, low maintances and looks great. You should give it a look. I also have it in my family room, where we watch T.V. not a problem you can adjust the noice from quiet to normal.
Bought a Quadra - Fire Mt. Vernon insert, in Dec. it is self cleaning. All you have to do is empty the tray and the collection outside the pot once a week. I burn locally made pellets from Corinth Maine. Have to empty the tray every two weeks or so. It is a great stove, the earlier version had many problems due to a major change in there design and engineering. If you want a stove that is quieter, low maintances and looks great. You should give it a look. I also have it in my family room, where we watch T.V. not a problem you can adjust the noice from quiet to normal.
THis is just my opinion, but a self cleaning pot on a pellet stove is kind of like auto locks or auto windows on a car. It’s just one more electric motor to go bad. Of course it should be noted I do not own a vehicle without these amenities!
THis is just my opinion, but a self cleaning pot on a pellet stove is kind of like auto locks or auto windows on a car. It’s just one more electric motor to go bad. Of course it should be noted I do not own a vehicle without these amenities!
In this world just about everything is mechanized and have moving parts, this is to bring the lamen person to these products. I rather have to replace a part in time then have to take chizzle out to get rid of the rid of the build up. I’ve seen them in pictures but never in my pellet stove. I also have a friend that owns the stove shop that sold me the stove. He is on my speed dial, lives down the street. He is a service rep.
have a Quadra 1200i insert. Like it. A guy from Homedepot to evaluate my windows and told me “you stove is so quite and even on max setting”. He had one from Homedepot (New Englander?) and the noise was much louder even on lowest settings. We also have a TV close to the fireplace, no problem with the stove in terms of noise.
In this world just about everything is mechanized and have moving parts, this is to bring the lamen person to these products. I rather have to replace a part in time then have to take chizzle out to get rid of the rid of the build up. I’ve seen them in pictures but never in my pellet stove. I also have a friend that owns the stove shop that sold me the stove. He is on my speed dial, lives down the street. He is a service rep.
The only burnpot I’ve ever seen that you had to take a chisel to is the Harman. With mine I just brush it and it’s good to go for another couple weeks.
Of course it should be noted I do not own a vehicle without these amenities!
