Desperate for knowledgeable thoughts/opinions about wood insert: Quadrafire 4100

[Heidi245]

I love a fire and I love the Cartalk guys so I already feel at home, but REALLY need some advice. We have a large brick fireplace in the living room of a 2 story colonial.
We also have a free supply of seasoned oak firewood (and roughly 5 million leaves to rake). With electricity prices set to "skyrocket" it seemed like a good time to consider a back up plan; installing a wood insert. My husband, in true boy scout form, loves an open fire as do I, but I dislike the inefficiency of it. We went to 1 local wood stove store and we (I) liked the Quadrafire 4100. To make a long story short, I reserved the last one they have coming in this year. My husband is willing to put up with my plan.. . . . . . However (here's where I need some feedback) I'm starting to wonder what I've done! I'm going through the what ifs. I'm imagining this cozy wood insert will: light on the first try, have not a hint of smoke, have a good draft up the chimney, and be not too hot, not too cold, just right! Then i started thinking: what if it does smoke, doesn't find it's way up the chimney so well, heats the room to 90 degrees while the rest of the first floor is at 60. You get the picture. It's very weird to make such a big purchase without experiencing the insert first hand. This web site is awesome and I'm counting on you "guys" to save me from a really bad mistake that i'll live to, perhaps, regret. Fortunately, my husband is very forgiving! Thanks (sorry this is so long - good thing i'm not allowed to talk on here!)

 

[Jerry_NJ]

I have a new Quadrafire 4100-I and have used it only a few times so far this year.

I manages well, so it is possible to control the heat output, but getting the heat to other rooms isn't the job for the insert, you need other means. My central forced air geothermal heatpump system has a low speed fan which I let run all the time when we're heating, including heating with the insert. This isn't enough air movement but given the house is a two story with a wide open stairway, much needed heat moves upstairs by convection.

The Quad starts easily, burns well, little or no smoke back into the room and then only when the door is open. The bay window is nice for those who like to watch/see the fire. One can sit even to the side of the fireplace and see in through a side window.

It of course has to be vented by a 6" stainless steel chimney/liner and if that is at least the minim height the draft should be good. My chimney is about 32' or a bit too long, but no problems have been noticed.

 

[granpajohn]

Heidi, I hope you can overcome your concerns and get that QF 4100 or a stove of similar quality. Just think: if all those (legit) worries were often true, QF would not have been able to sell thousands of these inserts.
However, you should read the review section of Hearth.com and that will help you.
We are happy with our QF 4100. You will not regret closing off that old open hearth FP.
My advice: Don't play games with the chimney. i.e. make sure you get the best draft you can. Full liner, insulated if exterior chimney.
I am still a romantic who enjoys an open fire, just as you described, but it would not be possible to burn MY 4100 door open. It would smoke (slightly). I think if you have a tall chimney, you might be able to overcome this. (My chim is on the shorter side.) But, it's no big deal. We have no regrets at all. Install that insert, get burning, and don't look back.

edit: after re-reading your post, I see you have a 2 story Colonial. That tells me "nice, tall chimney!" I think you're gonna love your new Quad.

 

[ExtraHorizons]

Hi Heidi,

We don't have a quadrafire; ours is a buck stove insert. But maybe I can reassure you. My husband left to go pheasant/quail hunting Tuesday morning. We had only fired up the stove ONE time.

Wed. morning I opened all the windows in the house (to vent the paint curing fumes), threw down a starter piece, threw a few logs on top, lit it and CLOSED the door. It took off burning like mad, not a tiny bit of smoke, and I was clueless! I didn't know you should leave the door open until it was burning well I adjusted the air down a bit after it was burning well, and it burned for hours and hours. SO easy!

Our fireplace has always vented extremely well, but I was so pleased with how the insert operated. Piece of cake.

 

[Jags]

I'm imagining this cozy wood insert will: light on the first try, have not a hint of smoke, have a good draft up the chimney, and be not too hot, not too cold, just right!

All of this IS possible if you stick with the right game plan. I agree with what was said above, just do it, and do it right. Quad makes a quality product, and has produced some great stoves.

Stick with us, we can get you where you want to be.

p.s. The name Heidi has always evoked the picture of blond pig tails, large mugs of beer and lederhosen. Maybe its just my heritage. Dunno! :cheese: