Lopi Freedom and Regency Owners Reviews

[jaychino415]

Can you tell me your experience with Lopi? I am stuck been Regency and Lopi, help me decide.

 

[Clevelander]

Can you tell me your experience with Lopi? I am stuck been Regency and Lopi, help me decide.

I'm trying to choose between the two also, I will be very interested to see the responses. Which model has a larger viewing window? I plan to do more research before purchasing.

 

[jaychino415]

I'm trying to choose between the two also, I will be very interested to see the responses. Which model has a larger viewing window? I plan to do more research before purchasing.

Same here. I know from what I have read on posts, it seems like lopi has a bypass damper, while others don't. I like this because it should reduce an smoke from when you. need to reload insert.

 

[begreen]

A good liner of proper height will do the same thing. Most folks do not experience smoke roll out when reloading. That would be unacceptable.

 

[lopiliberty]

I can also tell you that bypass damper makes cleaning the flue very easy. Just open and sweep and all the stuff falls into the firebox. As with the regency you would has to remove the baffle boards which can become very fragile

 

[jaychino415]

A good liner of proper height will do the same thing. Most folks do not experience smoke roll out when reloading. That would be unacceptable.

This is good to know.

 

[begreen]

Are the Regency baffles that fragile? I thought they were c-cast ceramic or a generally tougher material, but could be wrong.

 

[jaychino415]

I'm trying to choose between the two also, I will be very interested to see the responses. Which model has a larger viewing window? I plan to do more research before purchasing.

Not sure about viewing window, but lopi freedom has a 3.2 cu ft box.

 

[Clevelander]

A good liner of proper height will do the same thing. Most folks do not experience smoke roll out when reloading. That would be unacceptable.

What is the proper height? If we do this the liner would be going up a 2 story chimney, does that sound good?

 

[begreen]

yes.

 

[webby3650]

Are the Regency baffles that fragile? I thought they were c-cast ceramic or a generally tougher material, but could be wrong.

They are durable, but a little more difficult to remove for cleaning.
With the Freedoms bypass, the junk will fall right into the firebox when sweeping the flue. But, you still need to remove a few firebrick from the baffle to remove all the flyash from above the baffle. That presents it's own challenges.
Both stoves perform great! You will not be disappointed with either purchase.

 

[jaychino415]

They are durable, but a little more difficult to remove for cleaning.
With the Freedoms bypass, the junk will fall right into the firebox when sweeping the flue. But, you still need to remove a few firebrick from the baffle to remove all the flyash from above the baffle. That presents it's own challenges.
Both stoves perform great! You will not be disappointed with either purchase.

Thanks again for all the advice and comments. can't thank everyone enough.

 

[luv2byte]

Can you tell me your experience with Lopi? I am stuck been Regency and Lopi, help me decide.

We have a lopi freedom insert, it's amazing. Our insert is approx 17yr old, in the 11 yr we've owned the house we've had no issues with efficiency. We have a split level 2400sq ft house, we also have a whole house filtration system so the homes air is exchanged 10x/hr, this assists in moving the heat around too. We can have doors closed to rooms, while they may not be as warm as living room are they are far from chilly. Our nephew lived w us for a few years, his room was upstairs, he always new when we burned, his room was far warmer than he preferred. If we are not careful with burning the house gets up to 78f on the lower level (thermostat is down the hall, not near the fireplace). We have it professionally cleaned each year, last year it didn't get done due to my work schedule & meetings, this year when it was cleaned there was very little in the chimney & all just dust, no flaking/scales (bad burning). Overall, love our insert!

 

[jaychino415]

We have a lopi freedom insert, it's amazing. Our insert is approx 17yr old, in the 11 yr we've owned the house we've had no issues with efficiency. We have a split level 2400sq ft house, we also have a whole house filtration system so the homes air is exchanged 10x/hr, this assists in moving the heat around too. We can have doors closed to rooms, while they may not be as warm as living room are they are far from chilly. Our nephew lived w us for a few years, his room was upstairs, he always new when we burned, his room was far warmer than he preferred. If we are not careful with burning the house gets up to 78f on the lower level (thermostat is down the hall, not near the fireplace). We have it professionally cleaned each year, last year it didn't get done due to my work schedule & meetings, this year when it was cleaned there was very little in the chimney & all just dust, no flaking/scales (bad burning). Overall, love our insert!

Thank you for sharing your experience with your Lopi insert. Have you had to change the air tubes or bricks since you've had it?

 

[luv2byte]

Not the tubes, bricks yes. It's done when we have it cleaned professionally. Since it's only $2 we just have them do it. Each year 1-2 need replaced, nothing extreme or that seems cumbersome. We already know that if we ever have to replace it we're getting the same insert. It's fantastic.

 

[aussiedog3]

I have an old Lopi that I purchased off craigslist, with 25 feet of liner. Love it.
While on spring break a few years ago in Seattle, WA my family and I got an awesome tour of the factory, I think they thought I was a dealer or something.
Folks at the company are awesome! They are doing there darndest to keep jobs in America. Steel stoves are made here, some cast iron parts are imported, from China I presume. I can't say enough about the Lopi people. When I buy a new stove I will buy a Lopi.

 

[jaychino415]

Not the tubes, bricks yes. It's done when we have it cleaned professionally. Since it's only $2 we just have them do it. Each year 1-2 need replaced, nothing extreme or that seems cumbersome. We already know that if we ever have to replace it we're getting the same insert. It's fantastic.

Thanks, this helps me with figuring out maintenance items to be looked at.

 

[jaychino415]

I have an old Lopi that I purchased off craigslist, with 25 feet of liner. Love it.
While on spring break a few years ago in Seattle, WA my family and I got an awesome tour of the factory, I think they thought I was a dealer or something.
Folks at the company are awesome! They are doing there darndest to keep jobs in America. Steel stoves are made here, some cast iron parts are imported, from China I presume. I can't say enough about the Lopi people. When I buy a new stove I will buy a Lopi.

Thanks for sharing your experience with your Lopi. I lost a really great deal on Cl for a lopi freedom, I was second on the list to buy. going for $450 w/fan. I was on the ad about 20 minutes after it was put up, so bummed.

 

[jaychino415]

wish me luck, I got a few lopi freedom inserts to check out from CL. Hopefully, one of them pans out, so I can join hearth society and become a firewood hoarder. ;-)

 

[nawtyflier]

We've had a Lopi Republic 1750i for 2 years now. It's my first stove, and overall it's been a good experience. We have had a little trouble with opening the bypass when the stove is hot. I'm still working on getting the dealer to correct this, he thinks it's just a gasket getting caught up.

Overall I think the quality of the stove is very good. It heats great, probably puts out more BTUs than we need for our small home. I had considered the small 1250i, but glad I went with the larger size, just for being able to stuff more wood in it for overnight burns.



Cat not included...

 

[jaychino415]

It looks great btw. Hopefully, one the leads pans out. I want to be like that cat. ;-)

We've had a Lopi Republic 1750i for 2 years now. It's my first stove, and overall it's been a good experience. We have had a little trouble with opening the bypass when the stove is hot. I'm still working on getting the dealer to correct this, he thinks it's just a gasket getting caught up.

Overall I think the quality of the stove is very good. It heats great, probably puts out more BTUs than we need for our small home. I had considered the small 1250i, but glad I went with the larger size, just for being able to stuff more wood in it for overnight burns.

View attachment 114334

Cat not included...

 

[Regency139]

I've been very happy with my regency insert. However my baffles cracked and split last February. I went to my local dealer and unfortunately they weren't in stock. A set was ordered and I was told it would take two weeks. A month later they arrived. I emailed Regency and asked them why it took so long and was told that the baffles aren't something that they regularly stock and usually would take 2-4 weeks or longer to deliver, and they followed by apologizing that the appropriate timeframe wasn't set at the time of purchase. I was a little shocked that even Regency themselves don't stock baffles as this is an item that can definetely break or may need to be replaced during the lifetime of the stove.
So although I am very satisfied with my insert I may consider ordering extra parts so that I don't repeat another cold February.

 

[tickbitty]

Did you make a decision yet? I'm another Lopi fan and I'm so impressed with this company - really just great quality stuff, they have a whole series of videos on their website where you can get a virtual tour of the factory, etc and tells how they still make and stock parts for most of their old stoves. We were really mindful of budget and got the 1750i, I'm extremely happy with it, but if money hadn't been a consideration I'd have gotten the revere, which is essentially the same insert stove with the classic Lopi door (a couple hundred bucks more).
I have a friend who loves his regency, it's got a little bit more contemporary look to it with the sort of bay shape which might appeal to some more than mine with it's more traditional woodstove shape. But it's up to you.

 

[jaychino415]

Hi Tickbitty,

I am thinking about going with the lopi freedom insert, so far I have been striking out with all the CL ads which aren't that many. Either no one calls or e-mails back. Was second in line to view one, but turns out the first party got to it already. Kinda of bummed out. I guess this happens a lot with CL. My budget isn't isn't really big, so I can't just go out and buy a new setup. Thanks for sharing your friend and you experience.

Did you make a decision yet? I'm another Lopi fan and I'm so impressed with this company - really just great quality stuff, they have a whole series of videos on their website where you can get a virtual tour of the factory, etc and tells how they still make and stock parts for most of their old stoves. We were really mindful of budget and got the 1750i, I'm extremely happy with it, but if money hadn't been a consideration I'd have gotten the revere, which is essentially the same insert stove with the classic Lopi door (a couple hundred bucks more).
I have a friend who loves his regency, it's got a little bit more contemporary look to it with the sort of bay shape which might appeal to some more than mine with it's more traditional woodstove shape. But it's up to you.

 

[jaychino415]

I wish I had the same luck on CL as you did.

I have an old Lopi that I purchased off craigslist, with 25 feet of liner. Love it.
While on spring break a few years ago in Seattle, WA my family and I got an awesome tour of the factory, I think they thought I was a dealer or something.
Folks at the company are awesome! They are doing there darndest to keep jobs in America. Steel stoves are made here, some cast iron parts are imported, from China I presume. I can't say enough about the Lopi people. When I buy a new stove I will buy a Lopi.