I just picked up a 5100-I locally for $250. I rebricked and painted it so it looks perfect and I feel like I got a great deal except I can't seem to get it to burn well. The fans run nice and quiet the problem is when I shut the door completely it seems to choke out the fire even with both pushrods in. I can see the smoke cascading down the window but it doesn't seem to be getting enough air. I'm burning small bone dry scraps of walnut/ash lumber for test wood. I did only have a two foot stove pipe on it and I'm wondering if the added draft from a taller chimney will make a significant difference or if I have a problem to deal with. I expected this stove to be more finicky than my englander 3500 but I can't even seem to get it to burn. Any advise would be appreciated my only ideas are a taller flue which it will have when it is installed or maybe a rodent nest or other blockage where I can't seem to get at it.
New to Quadrafire 5100-I need help
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I agree with BeGreen.. Check the Manufacturers recommended flue height. That 2 ft is insufficient.
Most recommend a 15 ft Minimum.
Most recommend a 15 ft Minimum.
sounds good, I should have it installed today with 12ft of flue any higher will have to stick out of the masonry. I could also use some ideas for insulating and sealing the insert surround or the baffle area in the chimney above the insert. thanks for the advise.
12 ft is going to be borderline, but it will certainly work a whole lot better than 2ft! 
Give it a try, if it's not perfect, extending the flue by a couple feet could make a nice difference.
From the manual:
J. Chimney Height / Rise and Run:
To be sure that your Quadra-Fire insert burns properly, the chimney draft (static pressure) should be approximately -0.10 inches water column (W.C.) during a high burn and -0.04 inches W.C. during a low burn, measured 6 inches (152mm) above the top of the insert after one hour of operation at each burn setting.
NOTE: These are guidelines only, and may vary somewhat for individual installations.
• This product was designed for and tested on a 6 inch (152mm) chimney, 14 to 16 feet (4.27-4.87m) high, (includes appliance height) measured from the base of the appliance.
• The further your stack height or diameter varies from this configuration, the possibility of performance problems exists.
• Chimney height may need to be increased by 2 - 3% per each 1000 feet (304.8m) above sea level.
• It is not recommended to use offsets or elbows at altitudes above 4000 feet (1219.2m) above sea level or when there are other factors that affect flue draft.
Give it a try, if it's not perfect, extending the flue by a couple feet could make a nice difference.From the manual:
J. Chimney Height / Rise and Run:
To be sure that your Quadra-Fire insert burns properly, the chimney draft (static pressure) should be approximately -0.10 inches water column (W.C.) during a high burn and -0.04 inches W.C. during a low burn, measured 6 inches (152mm) above the top of the insert after one hour of operation at each burn setting.
NOTE: These are guidelines only, and may vary somewhat for individual installations.
• This product was designed for and tested on a 6 inch (152mm) chimney, 14 to 16 feet (4.27-4.87m) high, (includes appliance height) measured from the base of the appliance.
• The further your stack height or diameter varies from this configuration, the possibility of performance problems exists.
• Chimney height may need to be increased by 2 - 3% per each 1000 feet (304.8m) above sea level.
• It is not recommended to use offsets or elbows at altitudes above 4000 feet (1219.2m) above sea level or when there are other factors that affect flue draft.
mellow
Resident Stove Connoisseur
Also don't expect 12 ft to work in 70 degree weather, your gonna need 30-40 degree weather for that thing to even start drafting enough.
Well I got it installed and started a small fire which immediately chocked out and began smoking from the bottom of the unit. So after searching for a blockage and pulling my hair out I finally noticed a small plate blocking the draft inlet. the stove burns perfectly now, no smoke when loading ect just now I feel like an idiot. When I skimmed the owners manual online I even read about the outside air option and I had seen those ports blocked on the back of the stove but the plate in the front blended in so well I looked at it a half dozen times without even noticing it. thanks for the help now I just have to seal around it.
Wood Duck
Minister of Fire
The stove will work a lot better in cold weather, and a longer flue would help too. With a borderline flue height you might run into problems with poor draft depending on the weather.
Ok I got the install finished complete with ruxol, a ceramic baffle blanket and a new old stock surround I found on ebay for $65. We got to burn it in earnest for the first time a couple nights ago and it really impressed me with its heat output, I even cooked a baked potato on top of it My concern now is even with both damper controls off the stove maintains a strong secondary burn compared to my wood furnace witch I can shut down by closing the dampers. Can someone tell me if this is normal with burn tubes or if I should be concerned.
https://picasaweb.google.com/106490...authkey=Gv1sRgCJ3Io_-bzcvekgE&feat=directlink
My concern now is even with both damper controls off the stove maintains a strong secondary burn compared to my wood furnace witch I can shut down by closing the dampers. Can someone tell me if this is normal with burn tubes or if I should be concerned. https://picasaweb.google.com/106490...authkey=Gv1sRgCJ3Io_-bzcvekgE&feat=directlink
Normal. The secondary air is unregulated. And even with the primary air control "closed" some primary air is allowed in by design.
Thanks, that's going to take some getting used to. I don't recall ever having to shut down my old wood stove but I like the idea of being able to. My brother in law says his new lopi chokes right out with the controls off so I thought something might not be right with my insert.
Every stove acts a little different in every install. Whether its a taller flue, insulated flue, elevation, wood (can greatly affect the performance of heat and draft), along with other variables.
Does your Lopi have controls that operate both Primary and Secondary air? Have you checked for smooth operation of Primary controls? There may be a welding "Booger/Splatter" thats stopping the plate from closing as much as it should. As BB said, it wont close all the way, and both the secondary air and the Dog house are unregulated (unless secondary air is on your model)?
lopiliberty
Minister of Fire
Don't panic either when you look in the insert sometime and find the air tubes glowing red. That a sign your getting a good hot clean burn.
corey21
Minister of Fire
It is doing what it was designed to do burn the smoke from the wood. EPA stoves are designed so the user cant shut it all the way down.
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