Summit or Quad 5100i Insert

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RAY_PA

RAY_PA

Feeling the Heat
May 13, 2008
319
Northeastern PA
Hi, and thanks in advance for any help.

I have been checking watching and searching this site for opinions on the 2 mentioned units and have found some information, much of it is from last year, so I thought a new post, as I am going to make a purchase soon, would be very helpful to us.
Our home is 2200 sq/ft (not including the unfinished basement). It is poorly insulated. Last winter, we burned dang near 1200 gallons of oil. (ouch) We have a very large fireplace and will be putting one of these 2 inserts in it, it measures: 48Wx31Hx24D.
I dont know much about inserts, but I did heat most of our old house with a woodstove, and enjoyed it.
One dealer has the Summit for $2395
Another dealer has the 5100i for $2869 plus $226 fot the oversized surround.
I havent looked at either insert or negotiated price, we are really just getting started on this and I have no idea what I am doing. I am not worried about spending more money upfront, if its the 'better' insert for our application, but on the same hand, I dont want to spend money I dont need to. Heating the house is the main goal.
Thanks again for any help.
Ray
 
well..............summit
 
I've decided on a Quadrafire 4100-I insert, the 5100-I looks similar but has more output, enough for your needs as I read your post. I don't know the Summit, but I may have considered it along with a few other brands when I landed on the Quadrafire, a 3100-I first, then "upgraded" to the 4100-I for looks. For some reason the 3100-I is the cleanest burning of the three models mentioned here.

Quadrafire does not use a catalyst, good point I think, don't know about the Summit. I think you can make a choice on price/looks as both will serve you well from what I've read...I'm yet to establish a track record as my first is yet to be installed.
 
both are good stoves many people here have either or.....but go get the summit you won't be dissapointed
 
When I was researching stoves, I tried to find a dealer for Pacific Energy and couldn't find any in Maryland (or PA, for that matter). I would have had to go to New York just to look at them. Made the decision for the Quad a lot more obvious. Have I been mislead?

Chris
 
I took a look on the web at the PE Summit and like the looks. You also note a lower cost for the Summit. I didn't compare the BTU output/burn-time, those may be key factors for you. I say may, as in my case moving up to the 4100, was not driven by a need for more output/burn-time, it was driven by how my wife saw the looks. I do not plan to heat with it 24/7.
 
Redox said:
When I was researching stoves, I tried to find a dealer for Pacific Energy and couldn't find any in Maryland (or PA, for that matter). I would have had to go to New York just to look at them. Made the decision for the Quad a lot more obvious. Have I been mislead?

Chris
Click to expand...

no your stove is fine many stoves offer many things... the one they all have in common is to heat...i bought the summit for the price and sq ft i had to heat .. if not i definitely woulda got a hi300 those are some nice looking stoves
 
Redox,

You made me look, and yes there is a PE Summit dealer within 30 miles of my home. I didn't get over there to look, now as I've almost signed for the Quad maybe I don't want to look :p

I am also guilty of pushing my neighbor toward a Quad, in their case a 5100-I the the subject of this thread. They too were offered 10% off list price as the dealer had one in stock, as does he for the 4100. This isn't a big discount, but gets the price closer to the price quoted for the Summit in this post.

Another thing I like about Quadrafire is it is a US company, and I understand builds all the stoves and inserts in Washington State. I suppose they get parts from China, it would be too much to hope that the parts too are made in the US. I have no idea what the "roots" of the PE is, sound US-like.
 
iceman said:
Redox said:
When I was researching stoves, I tried to find a dealer for Pacific Energy and couldn't find any in Maryland (or PA, for that matter). I would have had to go to New York just to look at them. Made the decision for the Quad a lot more obvious. Have I been mislead?

Chris
Click to expand...

no your stove is fine many stoves offer many things... the one they all have in common is to heat...i bought the summit for the price and sq ft i had to heat .. if not i definitely woulda got a hi300 those are some nice looking stoves
Click to expand...

No, I meant mislead about the dealer presence on the east coast. I couldn't find any around here! Everone sells Quad, VC, Harman, etc, but I couldn't find a PE dealer to save what's left of my soul...

The PE sure looks like a nice stove and certainly has its followers here on Hearth.

Chris
 
Jerry_NJ said:
Redox,

You made me look, and yes there is a PE Summit dealer within 30 miles of my home. I didn't get over there to look, now as I've almost signed for the Quad maybe I don't want to look :p

I am also guilty of pushing my neighbor toward a Quad, in their case a 5100-I the the subject of this thread. They too were offered 10% off list price as the dealer had one in stock, as does he for the 4100. This isn't a big discount, but gets the price closer to the price quoted for the Summit in this post.

Another thing I like about Quadrafire is it is a US company, and I understand builds all the stoves and inserts in Washington State. I suppose they get parts from China, it would be too much to hope that the parts too are made in the US. I have no idea what the "roots" of the PE is, sound US-like.
Click to expand...

pe is in canada i believe
but if you like the 5100 buy it its your money..get what you like..regardless you will be happy
 
I don't think you would go wrong with either stove, but given the price difference, I'd be grabbing the PE and putting the rest towards installation.
 
ray
one thing to consider that is not talked about on here much is blower noise. i have a mid 90's earth stove and love it, except for the noise. if you're able, make sure you compare the noise levels of both.
bruce
 
Yes, a multi-speed fan is essential, and it is nice to have it thermostatically controlled, i.e., shuts off when the stove cools (such as an overnight burn). The 5100 has that, I believe, I know the 4100 Quad does.
 
Thanks for all the help and suggestions. We are going to look at both of them this weekend. The Summit salesperson is a one man show and has been VERY helpful over the phone. He is pretty sure that after I see his instore demo, my decision will be easy. He said the unit will be burning when I get there and he will show me how easy it is to operate. I will pay close attention to the blower noise as well.
Not to take anything away from the 5100i sales person, but he is not nearly as freindly or helpful with information, and I seriously doubt he will heve the unit in operation for us. The one benfiit there...they offer to install it for an additional price. But I am fairly handy and have a freind in the 'home construction bizz', I cant imagine we couldnt get it in and line the chimney without a whole lot of trouble.
 
Sounds like the Summit dealer is "hungry", that's the way we like um, buyer's market. Not sure why the Q-dealer is less interested.

I consider myself lucky if I can even find a unit "on the floor" to look at, never mind one in operation. This thread has encouraged me to call the nearest PE dealer, I asked do you have a Summit on the floor I can look at, the person said the boss would have to call me back...doesn't sound good for seeing one, again never mind seeing one in operation.
 
iceman said:
Jerry_NJ said:
Redox,




pe is in canada i believe
but if you like the 5100 buy it its your money..get what you like..regardless you will be happy
Click to expand...

The summit is manufactured about 10 miles from my home. Good product,would have bought one myself but it wouldn`t fit. I was an inch too shy on the width in my fireplace opening.
Click to expand...
 
Redox said:
iceman said:
Redox said:
When I was researching stoves, I tried to find a dealer for Pacific Energy and couldn't find any in Maryland (or PA, for that matter). I would have had to go to New York just to look at them. Made the decision for the Quad a lot more obvious. Have I been mislead?

Chris
Click to expand...

no your stove is fine many stoves offer many things... the one they all have in common is to heat...i bought the summit for the price and sq ft i had to heat .. if not i definitely woulda got a hi300 those are some nice looking stoves
Click to expand...

No, I meant mislead about the dealer presence on the east coast. I couldn't find any around here! Everone sells Quad, VC, Harman, etc, but I couldn't find a PE dealer to save what's left of my soul...

Chris
Click to expand...
There's one in Edgewater. (Bay Stoves) Not tremendously far, depending which Balto burb yer in, hon.
 
Tanks, Hon! I might check them out one day. Was just down in La Plata last week; if I had known...

Bought the Quad from Courtland in Belair (Blair) cause I live in Bawdimore County. They have live fire in the showroom in the colder months there...

Chris
 
Whatever stove has the bigger firebox or loads N to S is the one I'd get. But truthfully I know nothing about inserts...just say'en.
 
Got my Summit from a dealer in Bloomsburg, PA. About 20 miles west of me.
Dealer was ok at best, but I did my own install and never needed him again.
So I know there is at least one in PA ;)
 
OK, we have looked at both units...and now I am very unsure of which one to get. With the sliver trim and liner kit, the price difference is only $24!
We like both units, the wife is a bit worried about the comments that the side windows on the Quad will be 'dirty' but is a bit more attracted to the look of it. (tho that is really not significant)
Do we need a block off plate, if the chimney cap is sealed off? (SS flex pipe, uninsulated)
The Quad dealer is offering an install for $350...the Summit dealer offers no install at all. I think I can get a few guys around and we should be able to do the install without much trouble.

Thanks again, Ray
 
I have (had) both and for my money I would go for the Summit, it puts out more heat and is easier to find the sweet spot :) Just fill her up, char the wood, and shut her down. Just be sure you cur it to at least 700F or you will be embarrassed like I was :red: and say it stinks all the time, blah blah blah :bug:

The glass on the sides is nice on the Quad but that is about it. I guess if you are looking to heat your home (sorry I did not read the previous posts yet about your needs) then go for the Summit. If you are looking for a nice looking, good burning stove then go for the Quad 5100.

If you want no unburned fuel just about every time go for the Summit, if you want a part of a log left sometimes go for the Quad. If you can grab either the silver or gold trim, the Summit will look just fine. The EBT is just about the best thing in the book, I wish my Avalon had it

I know Summit's are the sharpest looking stoves as compared to a Quad or an Avalon, but the Summit is still my "King of the wood stoves"

If I were way up north in Canada and only had wood for heat, nothing else, there would be absolutely no question in my mind that I would buy the Summit. This is exactly why they are soooooo popular eh!

So go ahead the buy the Summit you hoser......ok you know that was a joke right :lol:


Good Luck
 
It may be me, but "JFK" seems to my reading to be talking stove, not insert, at different points. The link "summit in action" looks like a stove to me.

I don't have a Quad 5100, but I have spent some effort researching its little brother, the 4100-I and the best I can determine the windows, front and side, remain clear within reason. A slow burning, smoldering fire will "smoke" any window, I believe.

As for how much heat any stove gives, I'd take the published test specs: efficiency numbers, BTU output, along with the how clean they are for comparison. I'd not take a comparison by a user, especially one who has settled on one. It is human nature to justify past decisions by defending them. That said, I don't know the published numbers for the PE Summit and Q5100, but they are easy to look up on the mfg web sites.
 
Jerry_NJ said:
As for how much heat any stove gives, I'd take the published test specs: efficiency numbers, BTU output, along with the how clean they are for comparison. I'd not take a comparison by a user, especially one who has settled on one. It is human nature to justify past decisions by defending them. That said, I don't know the published numbers for the PE Summit and Q5200, but they are easy to look up on the mfg web sites.
Click to expand...

So you are saying that it is best to rely on sales "puffery" than the experiences of those who actually use the product?

Interesting.

As to those "efficiency" numbers, they are EPA defaults. No manufacturer that I know of fronts the money for actual efficiency testing.
And on the BTU front it is all in in-house manufacturer's burn labs, using heaven only knows what wood, and how red the stove gets before they are satisfied with a number for the ad department.
 
Sorry if I was too general, but the manufacturer numbers are all subject to the same "bending" of the facts, and they don't, in my reading, say my numbers are better.

I have benefited on this forum and other forums from the experience of others, my caution was driven by a long term experience of seeing a lot of "defending the right decision I made".

What I like/prefer to read are facts and clearly stated opinions about experience with a model, not the putting down of alternative decisions.
 
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