Allow me to introduce myself.......

[prican_2000]

Well this past wknd I went and scooped up a "Mildly Used" Quadra Fire Castile Pellet Stove Insert. Even though I had to drive over 60 miles 1 way to get it - I felt good about this purchase considering the owner had the owners manual and all parts including wall mounted Thermostat. I mean he even gave me the used venting duct (exhaust and fresh air), and even had a record of the stove being recently serviced and having a clean bill of health. Anyways after spending a wknd last year at the Poconos in PA (Really Cold up there in them damn mountains during the winter) at my wife's cousin's house and seeing 1st hand how much heat Pellet stoves actually provided their home (Main source of heat on the 1st floor of that 2 story home) - That along with getting an exuberantly high Electric bills this past winter (Nov - $450, Dec - $560, Jan $625) because of our lack luster Heat Pump and frigid temps this winter. So we decided to get rid of the Propane Fireplace in our 1st floor family room and get a Pellet Stove Insert in order to help in the heating dept. and possibly provide a bulk of our next season's heating demand. So here enters the Quarda Fire Insert.

Well enough about the background - I'm gonna be looking at removing the Propane Fireplace and installing the Insert within the next few months so that I can ensure that I test and tune it all before the cold weather arrives - so my questions (Of course).

Keep in mind I am a complete newbie when it comes to pellet stoves but after that wknd in PA - I am a believer.

This is an older model Insert (Jan 2003 Stamped on the sticker) so what type of maintenance or modifications should I consider doing before I install?

I noticed that there were a few other threads of people who removed their propane FP in favor for a Stove and I have already bookmarked them to read later but is there anything that I need to consider when removing the FP and installing the Stove?

Thanks in advance for the help - I'm sure I will have tons of questions

 

[alternativeheat]

Well this past wknd I went and scooped up a "Mildly Used" Quadra Fire Castile Pellet Stove Insert. Even though I had to drive over 60 miles 1 way to get it - I felt good about this purchase considering the owner had the owners manual and all parts including wall mounted Thermostat. I mean he even gave me the used venting duct (exhaust and fresh air), and even had a record of the stove being recently serviced and having a clean bill of health. Anyways after spending a wknd last year at the Poconos in PA (Really Cold up there in them damn mountains during the winter) at my wife's cousin's house and seeing 1st hand how much heat Pellet stoves actually provided their home (Main source of heat on the 1st floor of that 2 story home) - That along with getting an exuberantly high Electric bills this past winter (Nov - $450, Dec - $560, Jan $625) because of our lack luster Heat Pump and frigid temps this winter. So we decided to get rid of the Propane Fireplace in our 1st floor family room and get a Pellet Stove Insert in order to help in the heating dept. and possibly provide a bulk of our next season's heating demand. So here enters the Quarda Fire Insert.

Well enough about the background - I'm gonna be looking at removing the Propane Fireplace and installing the Insert within the next few months so that I can ensure that I test and tune it all before the cold weather arrives - so my questions (Of course).

Keep in mind I am a complete newbie when it comes to pellet stoves but after that wknd in PA - I am a believer.

This is an older model Insert (Jan 2003 Stamped on the sticker) so what type of maintenance or modifications should I consider doing before I install?

I noticed that there were a few other threads of people who removed their propane FP in favor for a Stove and I have already bookmarked them to read later but is there anything that I need to consider when removing the FP and installing the Stove?

Thanks in advance for the help - I'm sure I will have tons of questions

 

[alternativeheat]

That didn't work so well ! Anyway, all I was going to say was to measure twice, depths, height, width etc. I don't own a Quad so I know nothing about operation.

 

[stovelark]

Hello- The Castille model has been around a long time, parts are still available and plentiful. The basic operation of the stove hasn't changed a lot, they still use the same 3 speed control box (its been upgraded a couple of times with software changes), the blowers and stuff are about the same too. Just make sure its been given a good cleaning (the exhaust path, both blowers, behind the cast bricks, the air tubes etc), burn good pellets for optimal performance and seal up the exhaust path well when installing it. Check the door gasket (tadpole style), if any metal is corroded or rusty, clean it up and paint it with high temp paint, if the stove itself is painted black (non enamel color) then high temp black is all that's needed. Good luck with it.

 

[prican_2000]

Hello- The Castille model has been around a long time, parts are still available and plentiful. The basic operation of the stove hasn't changed a lot, they still use the same 3 speed control box (its been upgraded a couple of times with software changes), the blowers and stuff are about the same too. Just make sure its been given a good cleaning (the exhaust path, both blowers, behind the cast bricks, the air tubes etc), burn good pellets for optimal performance and seal up the exhaust path well when installing it. Check the door gasket (tadpole style), if any metal is corroded or rusty, clean it up and paint it with high temp paint, if the stove itself is painted black (non enamel color) then high temp black is all that's needed. Good luck with it.

GREAT- Thank You for the information - Surprisingly the stove is very clean and I believe the previous owner when he told me that it was barely used. I have been researching and reading on this board concerning the cleaning, maintenance and sealing of the stove, Exhaust Path and Intake - it's alot to digest and since I am a Newbie kinda overwhelming since its all new but I think since I am starting now on this project, I should be ok by showtime.

 

[BigJohnfromCT]

I have a Quad MV AE that I love. Totally different stove from yours but I just wanted to take a line or two to welcome you to the forum. I've had my stove for three years and still consider myself a newbie. The folks on this forum are fantastic and will always go the extra mile to help you. Good lu k with your purchase.

 

[Bioburner]

Good luck on the install. I am going to be owning another Quad,(MV)probably this weekend to replace an aging Countryside. Stove designs have and are changing pretty fast so dont feel that your a newbie just because your now getting a stove. Been burning pellets since 83 and still amazed at the advancements. Some things still hold true though, like a clean stove is a happy stove. Plenty of online videos to assist in minor issues.