Greetings - I've been tearing through all the pages here, and have a question:
I'm on the cusp of having a wood stove installed (home details below) and have whittled things down to a short list... On that list are the Quadra--fire 3100 Millenium and the Eco-Choice WS18. They're both made by the same company, are essentially the same dimensions, share parts, and have very similar specs.
What's the good word? I know that Quads get a lot of love on here, but from what I can tell, the biggest meaningful difference between the two seems to be the Automatic Combustion Control (ACC) - which many people on here don't really like.
Given the difference in price ($1769 vs. $1199), are there any other reasons to go with the Quad? (Both offer N-S loading up to 18", with 2.0 ft. fireboxes.
(The exact same goes for the bigger brothers - The Quad 4300 and the Eco-Choice WS22...)
Follow up question: What's the story with the step-tops? Quad also offers the 3100 in a step top, but it's way more expensive... Is there any discernible reason to go with a step-top over a flat top, other than aesthetics? (One shop said it is more efficient with the blower, the other said that was nonsense, and that the benefit is more varied cooking surfaces...) Many thanks in advance!
Home details: 1950s ranch, 1300 sq. ft, plus 1100 sq. ft. finished basement where the stove will live. Basement is open to main floor. Endless supply of hardwood: Mostly cherry, locust, oak, and maple, in that order.
I'm on the cusp of having a wood stove installed (home details below) and have whittled things down to a short list... On that list are the Quadra--fire 3100 Millenium and the Eco-Choice WS18. They're both made by the same company, are essentially the same dimensions, share parts, and have very similar specs.
What's the good word? I know that Quads get a lot of love on here, but from what I can tell, the biggest meaningful difference between the two seems to be the Automatic Combustion Control (ACC) - which many people on here don't really like.
Given the difference in price ($1769 vs. $1199), are there any other reasons to go with the Quad? (Both offer N-S loading up to 18", with 2.0 ft. fireboxes.
(The exact same goes for the bigger brothers - The Quad 4300 and the Eco-Choice WS22...)
Follow up question: What's the story with the step-tops? Quad also offers the 3100 in a step top, but it's way more expensive... Is there any discernible reason to go with a step-top over a flat top, other than aesthetics? (One shop said it is more efficient with the blower, the other said that was nonsense, and that the benefit is more varied cooking surfaces...) Many thanks in advance!
Home details: 1950s ranch, 1300 sq. ft, plus 1100 sq. ft. finished basement where the stove will live. Basement is open to main floor. Endless supply of hardwood: Mostly cherry, locust, oak, and maple, in that order.