Looking for a new wood Insert, too many to choose from?

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cbirdman75

New Member
Hearth Supporter
Aug 5, 2009
8
Hookstown, PA
Hello everyone,

I have been reading up for the past few months on wood burning inserts and not sure what way to lean. Lots of good products out there. I live in western Pa. in a newer home thats 2800 Sq. ft. open ceilings with lots of openings for the warm air to rise to the second floor. The inserts that caught my eye are the Quadra-Fire 5100i, Lopi Freemdom bay and the Pacific Energy Summit. I would like a long burning insert with lots of BTU's and easy maintenance. Like to hear from people that own these models too. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance, Chris
 
What you will hear from owners of those inserts is that the one they have is the greatest wood stove to ever see a welding rod. And they will be right. Those are three fantastic wood burning inserts and you will love any one of them. The Quad and the Lopi will give you a more elegent view of the fire than the PE Summit but from what I hear keeping that side glass in the bay window inserts clean is a pain in the butt.

You can't go wrong with any of the three. Go with the one you like and the dealer that has a good rep for customer service. In fact if the one you like best is the one from a dealer with a lousy rep, pick one of the other two. You will like it just fine.
 
I also like the Jotul C 550 Rockland. I'm pulling my hair out on picking the best insert for my needs. Haha.... This tax credit is a great deal too!
 
cbirdman75 said:
I also like the Jotul C 550 Rockland. I'm pulling my hair out on picking the best insert for my needs. Haha.... This tax credit is a great deal too!

We have all been there. Except I didn't get a tax credit. >:-(

In the class of stoves you are looking at you are literally just dealing with which one ya like to look at and the dealer. They are all first class performers. And loved by one and all that own them.

That makes it harder doesn't it? Personally I think those bay window inserts are gorgeous wood stoves. But what do I know? My wife and I think the Englander 30 is the best looking wood stove on the planet sitting in our fireplace and everybody else, except guests at our house, think it is ugly. That is why they make so many stoves. Different smoke for different folk.
 
cbirdman75 said:
Hello everyone,

I have been reading up for the past few months on wood burning inserts and not sure what way to lean. Lots of good products out there. I live in western Pa. in a newer home thats 2800 Sq. ft. open ceilings with lots of openings for the warm air to rise to the second floor. The inserts that caught my eye are the Quadra-Fire 5100i, Lopi Freemdom bay and the Pacific Energy Summit. I would like a long burning insert with lots of BTU's and easy maintenance. Like to hear from people that own these models too. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance, Chris

You might want to look at the Lopi Declaration too. It puts out the same BTU's and firebox size as the Freedom with the nice flush mount that my wife wanted.
2800 sq is pretty big for an insert and the 12 hour burn times they claim are pretty optimistic.
But all and all I am very happy with my insert I'm heating 2300 pretty well with it.

Happy hunting!
 
Ditto what BB said above.

Go to local dealers and check out the ones you are interested in. Open them up. Look at the 'controls'. Check out the blowers......Ask questions. Come back here and ask more questions and after awhile you will know which one you want to buy.

As BB said , go with the best dealer, it makes a huge difference once the sale is completed and you need help.
 
I'm sure all three will be great units. I personally can speak to the Quad, their rock solid warranty and their immense heat output. Many good things to say about my 3100i, very few minuses on the stove so far.
 
I got a price on the Quadra Fire 5100i $3149 (Nickel) + 24' Insulated liner $863 + $650 to install unit and 24' liner and cap. Grand total $4650-$4750
on the Tax credit I'll save about $1428 or so and get a $200 Stihl gift card. Any thoughts on these prices?

Lopi Freedom Bay was $2695 +$250 freight + $250 Install + $500-600 on the Insulated liner Grand total $3695 - #3675 With a tax credit

No price on the Jotul C 550 Rockland yet?


Any thoughts on the prices? Good deal?

Thanks for the help, Chris
 
cbirdman75 said:
I got a price on the Quadra Fire 5100i $3149 (Nickel) + 24' Insulated liner $863 + $650 to install unit and 24' liner and cap. Grand total $4650-$4750
on the Tax credit I'll save about $1428 or so and get a $200 Stihl gift card.

how'd you come across the stihl gift card? I though that was a harmon deal?
 
Go to Quadrafire.com its right on the home page. Nice deal. To bad I just bought my Stihl Kombi unit last week. Haha...
 
For the Quadra Fire 5100i owers, how are the overnite burn times? When you load it up at night is it still burning in the morning and blowing some good heat?

Thanks!
 
If it's a long burn your looking for maybe take a look at the Blaze King insert?
 
Talked to saleman today and he told me that the Quadra Fire 5100i is an overkill for what I need. Our family room is 16'X14' and 20' ceilings with ceiling fan with an open balcony for the heat to rise to the second floor. Total square foot for both floors is 2800. He said that I'll be sitting in that room with a tank top and shorts on with the windows open sweating to death. Then top it off with a bloody nose! Are you kidding me? Is this guy for real?
 
Let me guess, he doesn't have one in stock but just happens to have one that is just the right size on hand. On hand since 2004. :lol:
 
cbirdman75 said:
I got a price on the Quadra Fire 5100i $3149 (Nickel) + 24' Insulated liner $863 + $650 to install unit and 24' liner and cap. Grand total $4650-$4750
on the Tax credit I'll save about $1428 or so and get a $200 Stihl gift card. Any thoughts on these prices?

Lopi Freedom Bay was $2695 +$250 freight + $250 Install + $500-600 on the Insulated liner Grand total $3695 - #3675 With a tax credit

No price on the Jotul C 550 Rockland yet?


Any thoughts on the prices? Good deal?

Thanks for the help, Chris

The Rockland will run you around $2,900.
 
I love my Jotul C550 insert. Last year was the 1st year we used wood as our almost primary fuel source and I was very happy. We burned wood about 80% of the time and the house was a comfortable 65* or better all the time (60* upstairs in the bedrooms but we like that). We often used wood as the primary source 100% of the time for several weeks at a time and all was fine. Sometimes it was too hot and we had to open the doors and windows to cool things down a bit. After some tweaking here and there we began to figure out what worked best for our needs. Our winter temps were typically in the 25* - 30* range and barely went above freezing for most of the winter.

We fell in love with the looks of the Jotul C550 and are very happy with everything including the performance of this fine insert. Good seasoned hardwood makes a huge difference as well! One thing I noticed is that your friends will let you know how much they like it as well during their visits.
 
BrotherBart said:
The Rockland will run you around $2,900.

BB is right on. I paid $2,900 in May (before it "qualified" for the tax credit) for my Rockland including Surround.
 
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