Close to pulling the trigger, Accentra 52I or E2?

[Rural Mo]

I've been doing lots of reading on this forum and really appreciate what a good resource it is. I'm getting ready to replace a 20 year old Country Flame insert that I've used in our two story home. I've narrowed my choices down to the Quadrafire E2 and the Harman Accentra 52I. Price is a little less for the Quad and performance looks to be about the same for each. I have found many reviews of the Harman but not so many for the E2. Anybody have experience with it? I'm planning on burning a 50/50 corn/wood mixture.

 

[Ctcarl]

If both can burn the corn it's your call.my experience so far with my harman is amazing .what ever you choose good luck

 

[AJ9]

Debating the same. But the Enviro M55 as well. Ruled out the E2 after seeing how small the hopper is. Coming from a 80 lb rika integra hopper it will drive me nuts. Only thing i need to see to convince me on the 52i is how loud it is. It will be close to a tv and my fathers old version is way too loud for the that. The Integra is fine next to a tv.

 

[Big papa]

I have my accentra on right now and watching tv when the fans are on hi you have to turn up the volume a little but it's no where near as loud as my old stove I would have to turn the volume up the hole way

 

[Big papa]

The accentra in my option operates very quite I was prepared for more noise from it and was pleasantly surprised

 

[Big papa]

I almost ordered an E2 but after researching the harman and comparing them we pulled the trigger on the harman

 

[kramerica72]

I have an E2 but it's not multi-fuel (you mention corn). It's a great heater, though. All cast iron.

 

[Rural Mo]

I have an E2 but it's not multi-fuel (you mention corn). It's a great heater, though. All cast iron.

I actually called Quadrafire and confirmed it will burn corn (12% or less moisture) in a 50/50 mix with pellets, I had a dealer do the same when I was looking at the Harman Accentra and got the same answer. Corn is a cheaper source in my area.

 

[Big papa]

The harman will also burn a50/50 mix of corn

 

[kramerica72]

I actually called Quadrafire and confirmed it will burn corn (12% or less moisture) in a 50/50 mix with pellets, I had a dealer do the same when I was looking at the Harman Accentra and got the same answer. Corn is a cheaper source in my area.

Interesting--good to know. I know the AE can burn almost anything, but my E2 manual says corn is not an approved fuel. Not that there's much corn here in NH...

 

[LGTWhit]

The E2 is pure beauty from an aesthetics stand point IMO if that matters. Mines sitting in my garage waiting for install and can't stop looking at it!!

 

[Rural Mo]

Another thing I wondered about is whether either or both of these can be started without an ignitor? I will be using this as primary heat for home and nearest dealer is about 70 miles away, hate to think about ignitor going out and being without heat source. I've watched videos using hand sanitizer to get pellets going but didn't know if it would work for these.

 

[cold front]

Pick the one that is the easiest to clean...for me it was the Accentra

 

[Big papa]

Another thing I wondered about is whether either or both of these can be started without an ignitor? I will be using this as primary heat for home and nearest dealer is about 70 miles away, hate to think about ignitor going out and being without heat source. I've watched videos using hand sanitizer to get pellets going but didn't know if it would work for these.

Another thing I wondered about is whether either or both of these can be started without an ignitor? I will be using this as primary heat for home and nearest dealer is about 70 miles away, hate to think about ignitor going out and being without heat source. I've watched videos using hand sanitizer to get pellets going but didn't know if it would work for these.

The harman can be started manually I'm sure the e2 can be as well

 

[Big papa]

I was reading the manuall on the e2 it soacifically says corn is not an approved fuel and I couldn't find anything on the manuall start. The harman shows how to do a manuall start in the harman manuall so I'm not sure now

 

[RhodyPelletRook]

The harman will also burn a50/50 mix of corn

I don't like getting popcorn out of my teeth. I can imagine how many toothpicks is need to clean my 52i...

 

[Irish916]

I've been doing lots of reading on this forum and really appreciate what a good resource it is. I'm getting ready to replace a 20 year old Country Flame insert that I've used in our two story home. I've narrowed my choices down to the Quadrafire E2 and the Harman Accentra 52I. Price is a little less for the Quad and performance looks to be about the same for each. I have found many reviews of the Harman but not so many for the E2. Anybody have experience with it? I'm planning on burning a 50/50 corn/wood mixture.

Is your Country Flame a zero clearance insert, or was it inserted into an existing fireplace!? Does anyone know if the E2 supports zero clearance installations? I don't see a zero clearance box mentioned in the install manual anywhere? I just had the Harman Accentra installed a few weeks ago. We're only a few quick burns in thus far, but so far so good. The Accentra blower has multiple speeds so you can run the fans on low if the noise is a concern. Our TV is mounted directly above and while we had to turn it up a few notches, it wasn't too bad. Our old Temco DV propane insert had fans just as loud. A lot more heat coming from that Harman though!

 

[Rural Mo]

Is your Country Flame a zero clearance insert, or was it inserted into an existing fireplace!? Does anyone know if the E2 supports zero clearance installations? I don't see a zero clearance box mentioned in the install manual anywhere? I just had the Harman Accentra installed a few weeks ago. We're only a few quick burns in thus far, but so far so good. The Accentra blower has multiple speeds so you can run the fans on low if the noise is a concern. Our TV is mounted directly above and while we had to turn it up a few notches, it wasn't too bad. Our old Temco DV propane insert had fans just as loud. A lot more heat coming from that Harman though!

It came out of a fireplace. It was there when I bought the house and used it heavily for 20 years. I think they sold it by the lb., it is extremely heavy. The Country Flame had a single fan pushing about 630 cfm and it had three speeds. It was loud.

 

[Don2222]

Hello

I installed a Harman P52i in Majolica Brown just the other day. It is definately in the Heavy Weight class, weighing in at 475 lbs dead shipping weight! The fire door mirror glass makes it a real looker!

I like how quiet it runs with the DUAL room blowers that make it really crank out serious heat! ! !

the new control panel is very colorful and it Does Not say "Stove Temp" like the owner's manual shows. It says "Constant Burn" LOL They have to Rev up the Owner's manual atleast 1 more Revison. LOL

Since the shroud attaches to the frame that stays in the fireplace connected to the liners, way it simply slides out for servicing by undoing the 2 side latches is also something to consider!

There are 3 hopper sizes to choose from, so get the largest one that will fit the height of your fireplace openning!
From Installation manual Page 7 top left in fine print! LOL
Unit #1-90-574240 Hopper Capacity 64.5 lbs.- 29.25 kg
Unit #1-90-574220 Hopper Capacity 58 lbs.-26 kg
Unit #1-90-574200 Hopper Capacity 47.5 lbs.- 21.5 kg

The optional Air Adapter is a must so you can run a 3 inch fresh air liner along with the 4" flue liner. Then you can finally cut your fireplace heat losses with 100% fireproof Roxul insulation around the liners and sitting on the damper shelf. Then your house will be warmer whether you use the stove or not!

See pics
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/installing-the-optional-p52i-air-adapter.132111/

 

[Ctcarl]

Congrats and lets see some pics if the stove as well