which quadra fire stove should I purchase?

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kellerclan5

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Feb 3, 2008
29
northeast


I wanted some input on which quadra fire stove to purchase. I am currently looking at the 4300 millennium or the 5700 step top. I live in a 3000 sq ft rancher. The room I am putting the stove in is a 900 sq ft great room and kitchen. I have 12' ceiling in this great room along with two ceiling fans. 3 of the bedrooms are down the hall on the south side of the house and have 8' ceilings. This previously mentioned section of the house is approx 2000 sq ft. The other 1000 sg ft is an additional off of the back of the rancher.

I want a big enough stove to at least heat the main section of the house (2000 sq ft section) but I have such high ceilings and I dont want to short change if a 4300 would not work due to the high ceilings and the house being a single story. A larger stove might be the ticket.

I always was under the impression that a larger stove would give me the options to longer burns and easier loading.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
How well insulated is the house? What state are you in?
 
Hi kellerclan5 Recently my wife surprised me with a used Quadra-fire 4300 steptop with the blower. It puts out more heat than our Shenandoah but I wished she held out for a bigger stove...because of the coals I have trouble loading it full. Just saying I like the stove it's neat looking at the fire but ...

My advice bigger is better.

edit to add...I'm sure a ceiling fan will move that heat out throughout your ranch.
 
i would go with the 5700 for anything over 1800-2000 sqft if you are not going to be able to get the heat to the 1000sqft addition the 4300 will most likely do just fine
 
Have you looked at the Englander NC-30? It is a large stove that works very well for a lot less money. I am very happy with mine.

Craig
 
I do not know if the heat will work it way back to the addition. However, it would be nice, I guess I should plan that I can heat the addition.

In my area the steptop 4300 was $2095 with a pedistal, the 5700 with legs and a nickle door was $2275, due to the minimal price difference to include a fancy door, I did not look at the 4300 step top. I always figured that I could have big or small fires in the 5700.

I have not seen any englander stoves in my area but I will look.

Any more input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
where are you from?
 
If I was looking at Quads, I'd buy the Isle Royal. Top loading, with a huge 3.0 cu ft firebox. Nice looking stove. With that much space to heat I wouldn't get any stove with less than a 3 cu ft firebox.
 
I would go for the 5700. It will give you longer burn and/or more heat when needed. For the price difference . Also I load mine North/South full, then put some pieces East/west, pack it af full as I can. I would rather have a little to much stove than not enough.

Jeff
 
I heat a 2000' house with 24' cathedral ceilings in about 1/3 the rest being 2 story. The house is well insulated, tight with double pane windows ( alot ) throughout. For the last 3 weeks the highs have been in the low 30s and lows in the 20s. The 4300 Step top has maintained temps inside in the 60s to 70s without really working it hard. I do have 2 ceiling fans in the room with the high ceiling. But I dont think it would heat another 1000' so if that is your goal Id go with the bigger stove.As far as the stove goes its excellent especially with the ACC feature, make sure you get that feature on your stove if you choose a Quad and its offered on that model
 
Just wanted to point one thing out. If you have looked at the 4300 Milennium on a showroom it *should* be the new ACC model which has a timer for the sstartup air. As far as I can tell the 5700ST is still the ACT model. I am not sure if they have too much old inventory or they just have not upgraded it yet. Or maybe they have upgraded it to ACC and not updated the webpage yet. Either way the 5700ST would be a great stove and it sounds like thats what you would be best off with.
 
I am not sure what the 4300 millennium is ACT or ACC, I do know that if I get the 5700 it will be a 2008 because my wife wants the nickel legs and door. The dealer stated that it would be 2008 prices. Would this make this the newer 5700 system?
 
I don't know if the 5700 has been upgraded to the ACC system which has an automatic timer for the start up air. The Quad web page still lists it as an ACT unit and the old picture is still there. Even if its the ACT system it is still a fine stove. The ACT is virtually the same except you have to control the start up air manually.

I have had customers who were sold on the new ACC system so I was just making sure that was not the case with you, did not want you to order a 5700 ACT and then be surprised.
 
I was initally very confused at the close clearances that the 4300 step top and the 5700 have in comparison to the 4300 flat top. I thought this was a mistake, No wonder the 4300 steptop cost approx $500 more than the 4300 flattop. Not that I am made of money, but the price for the 5700 with a black door was only approx $100 more than the 4300 step top. To me this is a no brainer much more stove for the money.


Are the step tops really safe at 2" from a combustable wall?
 
Whatever the manual says is correct. The clearances must be verified to pass testing. The testing agency is supplied with a manual to review. The back corners of the ST units probably do not get as hot as the flat units. Also remember you still need to meet pipe clearances.
 
My Step Top is abouut 2" from an non combustable that is about 2" thick (cultured stone ) snd hardly gets to warm to touch at the closest point ( corner install )
 
Hi kellerclan,
The right size is always a tough call and you have to make it. I debated the same two stove decisions that you are. I chose the 5700 and glad I did. I heat 2500sf in MI. Both stoves would likely work but the 5700 would have greater reserve (larger firebox). As you said, you can build smaller fires when needed. I like the 5700 but I do wish I could try the new primary start up control. My stove is in the basement so I run it differently than one would on the same living level. If the heat will migrate to that 1000 sf addition I would say go for the 5700. That is the important part of your quest and the variable that will help determine which stove will work for you.
 
Does the 5700 come with the acc standard or do I have to ask. Could someone explain what this features does and how it compares to the
act system.

Thanks.
 
kellerclan5 said:
Does the 5700 come with the acc standard or do I have to ask. Could someone explain what this features does and how it compares to the
act system.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Its two different generations of stoves. Its not an upgradable feature. Just ask the dealer if the 5700 would be an ACT or ACC stove. The ACC system just adds a timer control for the startup air. Lets you set your stove up, light the fire and walk away. Don't have to mess with it anymore. With the ACT you have to open the startup air then close it down 5-15 minutes later. I guess I should have never brought this up....
 
The ash tray is kinda small on the 5700, but I guess it is a nice feature. I usually just use a shovel and disregard the ash pan.
 
I don't have the ash pan. I decided against it. I just move the coals over and shovel out the ashes..
 
thanks,

I've heard that the ash system is not as efficient as it should be.

I am going to order the 5700 I dont want to look back and wish I had a bigger stove, plus it can be placed closer to the wall, it will actually give me more hearth than the 4300 flattop.

I will post pictures when the project is complete.
 
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