Forgetting stoves, moving on to inserts...

[3dogsrule]

Ok, I've completely given up on the stove dream, so now I'm down to picking an insert. I want something that looks good and can heat my tall room, and although all the cat/non-cat talk has confused me, I decided to stick with non-cat at this point. I want something that protrudes out onto the hearth somewhat (not at much as a Hearth Heater, but definitely not flush). In order of preference, I'm looking at:

Lopi Republic 1750I
(had looked at Lopi Revere, but didn't see enuf diff between it and Republic to justify $500 extra cost)
Quadra-Fire 4100I
Regency I2400
Hampton HI300

The Hampton and Regency are my last choices, mainly because they'd both be a very tight squeeze, and also because their owner's manuals state "Means must be provided for removal of the insert to clean the chimney flue." Uh, I don't plan to take out anything once it's in! That's why I gave up on my stove dream! I'm planning for old age (which has seemed to be approaching more rapidly since I started this hunt). So that scared me.

They all seem to be in the same firebox size range, I believe all qualify for the tax credit, I'm awaiting some pricing on a couple from my dealer but if they're all in the same price range, any opinions on which would be the way to go? Or just flip a coin??

Karen

 

[Fsappo]

All good products. Just from experience, when we clean a chimney for a Regency insert we never remove the insert itself. We remove the air tubes and the baffles, same as most stoves and sweep right down into the chimney. I've sold quads in the past and sell Regency now. The only complaint I used to get on the 4100I Quadrafire was in the handle design. Aside from that, lot's of happy 4100I customers on Long Island. I think just as I was switching jobs, HHT was devising a new handle assembly for the 4100I. I'm sure a quad user or dealer should be able to confirm this.

I have sold plenty of Regency inserts and I always end up with a happy customer.

 

[Pagey]

Karen, looking at the specs on the Lopi 1750, it looks like the same fire box my Lopi Endeavor uses. One of the features I like best about my Endeavor (and it appears the 1750 has this feature as well) is the bypass damper that you open when starting a fire and when you sweep the chimney. This damper slides a steel plate at the back, top of the stove open to allow the flue gases to go directly up the chimney when you start a fire in a cold stove and when you are loading fresh splits onto an established coal bed. This really helps reduce the chances of any smoke entering the house when you load. Also, the same feature means that when you get ready to sweep, you don't have to yank out the baffle. You just open, sweep into the stove, then close her up.

Of course all the brands you've listed are great. Just wanted to point out this very handy feature on the Lopi.

 

[Fsappo]

Karen, looking at the specs on the Lopi 1750, it looks like the same fire box my Lopi Endeavor uses. One of the features I like best about my Endeavor (and it appears the 1750 has this feature as well) is the bypass damper that you open when starting a fire and when you sweep the chimney. This damper slides a steel plate at the back, top of the stove open to allow the flue gases to go directly up the chimney when you start a fire in a cold stove and when you are loading fresh splits onto an established coal bed. This really helps reduce the chances of any smoke entering the house when you load. Also, the same feature means that when you get ready to sweep, you don't have to yank out the baffle. You just open, sweep into the stove, then close her up.

Of course all the brands you've listed are great. Just wanted to point out this very handy feature on the Lopi.

That is a handy feature!

 

[3dogsrule]

Yeah, another one of the hundred things I didn't think about, it didn't cross my mind I'd have to remove baffles and such to sweep the chimney. Had noticed the bypass feature of the Lopi but didn't realize what an additional benefit that'd be! Thanks for pointing that out Pagey!

Karen

 

[nlittle]

HI
I'm also new to this and just got the Hampton I300. I had to revamp my hearth/ mantel to get it to fit but am very happy.
You state the below-

The Hampton and Regency are my last choices, mainly because they'd both be a very tight squeeze, and also because their owner's manuals state "Means must be provided for removal of the insert to clean the chimney flue." Uh, I don't plan to take out anything once it's in! That's why I gave up on my stove dream! I'm planning for old age (which has seemed to be approaching more rapidly since I started this hunt). So that scared me.

Karen

I am pretty sure the removal requirement is only if you do NOT use a full liner. If it is fully lined the cleaning debris falls into the stove and gets vacuumed out...done.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I have mis-spoken.

Good luck!

 

[wg_bent]

When looking at stoves way back when, If it had been available I'd have purchased a Revere. I chose an Osburn 1800i which has a similar firebox size but a much nicer bay type door. Other than a slightly funky stovepipe opening, and hinges that are a little delicate compared to the Lopi, I'd say the Osburn is a very nice stove, and I"m generally happy with it. On any of the stoves, be sure to get a blower. I know the blower/non-blower debate can rage on like a good secondary burn, but I'm firmly convinced that is a worthwhile option in an insert.

In this space size/insert, I'd also recommend looking at a Hearthstone Morgan.
Honestly, I suspect you won't be disapointed in any of these stoves.
Warren

 

[Fsappo]

Yeah, that Morgan is a great little insert

 

[3dogsrule]

Had thought about the Morgan but it looked a little small, box size and room SF rating are smaller than the others I've been looking at. Very pretty though. Remember my whole battle started out with me wanting a Hearthstone Homestead, which is half-paid for and sitting at Dealer #1's place. If I go with the Lopi or others I mentioned that only Dealer #2 carries, I've got to go back to Dealer #1 and get my money back...I dread that conversation! #1's been dealing with me for months now trying to get something right for my application. He can't help he's a dipstick who continually failed to point out fatal issues that would have derailed the install of the Homestead.

Karen

 

[bren582]

Karen, Are you sure you can't fit the larger Clydesdale insert from Hearthstone?

The minimum opening is smaller that you would think.. You need 31 5/8 wide by 23 1/8 high with 24 inch width 13 inches deep into the fireplace.. In this config you have approx 12 inches sticking out onto the hearth (6inches to the glass plus another 6 to the ashed lip..

Good luck with your search...

 

[3dogsrule]

I've only got 21.5" height, otherwise it'd work....

Karen

 

[3dogsrule]

It's decision time (4 hours away), I'm coming down to the Lopi Republic and the Quadrafire 4100. I was griping around ugly plain metal surrounds earlier, the Quad has a prettier surround than the Lopi, but I'm thinking hard about how easy the Lopi is when it comes to sweeping the chimney and not having to remove baffles (using the bypass instead). The Quad states "The baffle material is 2700* fiber board. Removing hardware exposed to combustion processes can be frustrating. If your reason for removing the baffle is simply to clean the chimney, you have alternatives which will save time and effort. Call a qualified chimney sweep or an authorized Quadra-Fire dealer for details."

Other than removing the insert, what other options could there be? I like the looks of the Quad but will buy the Lopi solely because of the baffle/bypass thing. It won't be a professional cleaning my chimney, it'll be a neighbor doing it in exchange for a 30-pack, so ease of cleaning will outweigh looks (although I hope I don't have to clean the chimney that often, but still...).

Karen