Mt Vernon AE Insert - quality or still too soon to tell?

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JustUs

Member
Hearth Supporter
May 6, 2009
8
Mass
Quadrafire Mt Vernon Insert - Have the initial bugs and quirks been worked out of this model?

Interested in the Mt. Vernon insert. We have reviewed many of the comments on this forum and were about to go to two dealers this weekend. With the $600 off and tax incentive, it seems like a good deal but still a costly investment. Trouble is, I stumbled across another forum ( hvactalk ) and there appear a lot of dissatisfied customers from the initial turnout of the model up to present date. Some of which kept repeating the stove was rushed to production.

I am seeing feedback, that the parent company is poor on service/parts availability, the control panels have many issues, baffles are cracking and dealer training for service is limited and untested. When, we go to a dealer should we ask for a late 2008 or 2009 mfg build date -If I we decide MT V?

After a lot of reading and seeing the stove last winter, both of us were convinced to buy, it suits our space and needs and is a long term investment but now very scared off.
Just retriring, so want quality and something to be a primary or supplimental source of heat depending on fuel price fluctuations. Plus we love the blazing fire!

Any advice or comments would much be appreciated! Totaly upset and now so confused.
 
I have a 2008 freestanding model that has burned three tons flawlessly. I'm pretty sure they have the bugs worked out with maybe the exception of the baffle, which seems to happen more often to the people that burn on hi settings. My .02
 
Go to the dealer and get a demo of the stove features, the more a stove will do the more that can go wrong. I went with a lower tech model and am well pleased. The dealer would only show me the features of the AE, had to look around the store on my own to get what I thought would be a good stove for me.
 
no pane said:
I have a 2008 freestanding model that has burned three tons flawlessly. I'm pretty sure they have the bugs worked out with maybe the exception of the baffle, which seems to happen more often to the people that burn on hi settings. My .02

Is that and old diesel engine stack, I see in the pix.
 
that would be leaf blower trick on my vertical vent.
also won't hurt to go multifuel unless you want to be married to pellets.
 
the Mt. vernon did have some issues when it first came out, and they have them all taken care of now. The baffel cracking has been taken care of by a new thicker baffle. The Mt.Vernon is a great stove and as a dealer I don't have any trouble with quads customer service or parts availability. Quad holds dealer training for there products usually in the spring but it is up to the dealer to attend. these stoves are very technical and if your dealer doesn't know what to do when servicing it it can be a real headache. talk to your dealer and see how familiar they are with the stoves and ask them if they keep parts on hand in case something does go wrong.
 
slls said:
no pane said:
I have a 2008 freestanding model that has burned three tons flawlessly. I'm pretty sure they have the bugs worked out with maybe the exception of the baffle, which seems to happen more often to the people that burn on hi settings. My .02

Is that and old diesel engine stack, I see in the pix.

No, it's an old destroyer 'blowing tubes'.
 
fluemasterjr said:
the Mt. vernon did have some issues when it first came out, and they have them all taken care of now. The baffel cracking has been taken care of by a new thicker baffle. The Mt.Vernon is a great stove and as a dealer I don't have any trouble with quads customer service or parts availability. Quad holds dealer training for there products usually in the spring but it is up to the dealer to attend. these stoves are very technical and if your dealer doesn't know what to do when servicing it it can be a real headache. talk to your dealer and see how familiar they are with the stoves and ask them if they keep parts on hand in case something does go wrong.

Thankyou ! Definately will ask the dealers about the parts stock and training. Trouble is their both about 24 mi from us and any others are too far away.
We have done a lot of research on this appliance. I understand things happen but was more concerned from "other" postings that aside from a baffle cracking or dead circuit board
that the overall quality of the stove was not there compared to their other models. I want it to be able to THROW heat, look good and be automatic. I guess the summer would be a good time to install, run it with the windows open and see if any kinks are there. If a problem then pay with a credit card for warranty purposes.
 
JustUs said:
I want it to be able to THROW heat, look good and be automatic.
thats exactly what I was looking for along with quiet operation and multi fuel capable.
so far this stove has exceeded my expectations.
 
I bought one of the first AEs available from my dealer. Had problems with the mother board and wall control like everyone else. Same with that baffle plate. Oh, the igniter was bad too.
The baffle plate issue was solved, The mother board was solved about a year ago with the introduction of the latest version. And the igniter is better but not perfect.
I sold my AE early last fall to a family that burned pellets only and they loved it. Not one problem
One of the nice things about that stove is the very quiet fan. Another is the ability to hook a 12 volt battery to it in case of a power outage. It automatically switches to 12 volt power and keeps running.
Just make sure you get the latest mother board and wall control and you should be in good shape. If you burn corn alone you can expect to burn up the igniters as they have to be on longer to ignite corn.
 
no pane said:
that would be leaf blower trick on my vertical vent.
also won't hurt to go multifuel unless you want to be married to pellets.

Burned mostly oil last winter, price was right.
 
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