Lopi Liberty or Quadra-Fire 5700

Don't have any answers for you, but I hate to see someone post a nice thread like this and not get a single opinion so I'm bumping this to the top.

Incidentally, no experience with either the Lopi or Quadrafire, but I believe both are quality stoves. Me, I would probably give the edge to the Lopi, but that's just my personal preference and taste.

From what I've read, the ACC on the Quads is to make the startup procedure a "set it and forget it" type when starting a cold stove. It basically engages a timer that controls the flow of combustion air into the stove. On paper it sounds handy, but I have no direct experience with it. My Endeavor has no such feature, and (using dry pine, I might add) I can go from cold stove to secondary combustion with a 500F stove top in about 20-25 minutes. ACC or no ACC system, I have no trouble starting and regulating a fire with my Endeavor.

To my knowledge, the Quads do not feature a bypass damper mechanism. It is a feature I greatly appreciate having, however.

I don't think you can go wrong with either stove. They are both quality, steel stoves. I guess at this point I'd be asking myself: do I like the appearance of one more than the other? Is the bypass feature enough to sell me on the Lopi? Is one priced significantly different than the other? Are the clearances significantly different?

We're quite pleased with the Liberty. Simple, rugged, and effective...plus we really like the looks of it. I've never had a Quad or burned in one, so I can't offer up any first-hand side-by-side sort of comparison. Rick

I have the quadra fire 3100 step top and I love it. But that is because I had been heating with a franklin before. I put three nice size splits in it and a hand full of kindlen and six paper knots and light it. Set the acc and stand back. I get two burns a day for my house, one at ten in the morning and one at night before bed. I am heating about 1400sq home with six in side walls. The reason I went with the quad. was that it would go in a double wide. I liked the nopolen but it won't. Just make sure the wood is dry. I couldn't beleive the differents that make now days. The franklin eat everything.

The "Quad" burn system is just how they market the secondary combustion. From what I have seen on other stoves Quad's system looks very similar so I don't think there is anything too special about it. There are 4 different points where the fuel can be burned to increase efficiency / reduce emissions.

Others described the ACC well. Its just a timer on the startup air control so you can "load, light, live" as Quads new slogan for the ACC goes... (live, as in, get on with your life and don't worry about the stove)

The bypass damper on the Lopi.... I have seen a bypass on The Isle Royal, which you use when the top load door is used. It works well for that purpose. I don't see why you would need one on a normal front or side loading stove with secondary combustion. If good wood is burnt I have never has smoke come back out on a Quad when opening the door, and have no problems getting a fire going.

I've used the 5700 with a blower in my old showroom on LI and loved it. I sold a bunch of them and always ended up with happy customers. The good feeling I had with the 5700 caused me to put my current stove in my home which I can't name because I get accused of trying to sell it to everyone, but I bought it because it's design was similar to (but not as well built or efficient as ) the 5700. The ACC burn system is just a fancy name desfribing what most not cat stoves do.

I am intrigued by the bypass on the Liberty, it sounds like a great system. Lopi in general makes a very good product.

Gimme Liberty or gimme death.
I can't imagine a stove without a by-pass
but the guys seem happy without.
The wife, a severe arsonphobiac, has become real
good friends with it.
I always recommend the blower with it.

fdegree said:

firefighterjake said:

Don't have any answers for you, but I hate to see someone post a nice thread like this and not get a single opinion so I'm bumping this to the top.

Incidentally, no experience with either the Lopi or Quadrafire, but I believe both are quality stoves. Me, I would probably give the edge to the Lopi, but that's just my personal preference and taste.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the bump. I was beginning to wonder if there was something inappropriate about the post since it seemed to be ignored. :red:

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No problem . . . looks like it was worth bumping as you ended up with a few more replies . . . as mentioned it's hard to keep up with the posts this time of year since it can be a pretty busy place.

Let us know what you end up buying . . . and post pics . . . we love pics.

fdegree,
quad's got my vote
second year with mine
no ACC on mine
starts easily every time
14 foot of pipe above the stove
compare the fire box size and dont be afraid of going on the large size
nice to be warm
rn

The ACC works great and so far no problems. It is just like a wind up clock you push it back and then pull it forwards and the spring takes off. 25 min later the damper is closed and the fire is going good. Lower the primary damper and watch the fire works.

Granted it is my 1st season with the 5700 ST but so far I love it. It gives a nice rustic look to the house although to please the other half I got the nickel door trim and nickel legs. Functionally it puts out some serious heat in short order. The controls are simple to use and with a 3.4 ft fire box it will go all night. The door latch is very well thought out as it is a 2 part system that when you 1st crack the door it allows a second or two to adjust the pressure and does not allow for any smoke to escape. I have not had to use the blower yet it hasn't been that cold out. I purchased the 5700 based purely on specs and performance. My wife wanted the Cumberland gap made by Quad but I wasn't positive it was going to heat my house when the going gets tough in Jan,Feb. The step top is also cool for 2 different heat settings if you put a big ol pot of chili on you can move it to the upper level if it gets too hot.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it thr Quad that several people had problems with cracks developing???

WidowMaker said:

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it thr Quad that several people had problems with cracks developing???

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There was a recent thread about Pacific Energy.

Could have been or it may have been on the AS board...I tried using the search function but I can't find my _ss with this sites search function...