Opinions needed - Best performing pellet insert?

[Kenpobldr]

My wife and I are building a new home for ourselves and I want to install another pellet stove insert into our design. We currently have a Quadrafire MT Vernon AE that I installed in 2008 and we like the heat output, programable thermostat and quitness of the stove. Last night the exaust motor was making alot of noise, so I had to dissasemble it and lubricate the motor to stop the noise. So I began to reflect on some of the issues that we have had since 2008.

• 4 igniters
• Baffle plate (Warranty)
• Burn pot assembly (to stop replacing igniters)
• Auger feed motor
• Exaust motor noise

Maybe it's just me but this seems excessive for 7 years of use. Does anyone have opinions on other models?

 

[Peterfield]

Just from the signature lines I have read on this forum, the Accentra 52i is quite popular. I have had mine since last November and bought it in part based on information here (and my wife liked the color) and I've been quite pleased with it thus far.

 

[rich2500]

If being used as your main heat source I would not consider those parts excessive for 7 years .

 

[PelletRat]

I've got the same stove that was purchased the same year and replaced 2 igniters and 1 thermocoupler. I still have the original burn pot too. Many people complain about the autoclean cycle during real cold days. I found that by putting the setting to Manual that my house (2600sq ft) is always warm, if it gets to hot put it back to automatic. My oil heat is completely turned off.
My daughter has a similar size house and purchased the Harman Accentra 52i Pellet Insert.
I still say "Nothing heats like a Quad"
From what I've heard the New Quad AE's don't have the autoclean feature, it's been removed so the heat should be even better.

 

[kappel15]

I've got the same stove that was purchased the same year and replaced 2 igniters and 1 thermocoupler. I still have the original burn pot too. Many people complain about the autoclean cycle during real cold days. I found that by putting the setting to Manual that my house (2600sq ft) is always warm, if it gets to hot put it back to automatic. My oil heat is completely turned off.
My daughter has a similar size house and purchased the Harman Accentra 52i Pellet Insert.
I still say "Nothing heats like a Quad"
From what I've heard the New Quad AE's don't have the autoclean feature, it's been removed so the heat should be even better.

The new E2's are pellet stove only. kap

 

[Wilbur Feral]

If you bought in '08, you could have one of the pre-April 2008 stoves. As I recall, that's when Quad released some updates that seem to fix a number of the issues with earlier stoves (Kap will know best on that). Other than one ignitor and problems with that horrible stat, our MVAE has been great. However, the stat alone might keep me from buying another. Just despise that thing thing.

 

[kappel15]

They updated with Rev.B and Rev. C codes in that year. kap

 

[fmsm]

I have 2 P35i's that are perfect for me. While I love the 52i it is simply too big for my house. I am building an in law for my wife and I and giving the house to the kids. In designing the new addition I am going to go away from an insert and most likely go with an Accentra freestanding. My main reason is to make cleaning the vent a little easier, no more pulling it out and reaching in with the brushes. I picture myself simply pulling the stove, brushing the short run to out side then opening the t outside and brushing that! A 20-30 minute job (yeah I'm old) reduced to 5 minutes!

 

[john193]

How did you lubricate the exhaust motor? There is no directive within the manual for this. My understanding was that it was a sealed motor that requires no service. Can you elaborate?

As a side note your issues with the MVAE have since been addressed. New burn pot, lower watt ignitor (wood only) for longevity.

My only issue is the feed motor makes a clicking noise on low output. No one knows why and it appears to be somewhat of a common thing with the MVAE.

In contrast my inlaws purchased a 2009 MVAE and to date have replaced 1 ignitor and 1 feed motor.

Edit, if the accentra 52i existed at the time and I better knew what it was like to deal with the MVAE autoclean system, I wouldn't buy a MVAE. In fact it is my biggest negative with the stove. Most of the time it isnt a big deal, but it's quite a nuisance when the stove has to stop for a cleaning when it's -10 with the wind. My other annoyance is the dumb programing on the autoclean. For example, I use the thermostat to program heating intervals to correspond with occupancy. There are times where the stove will autoclean 30 min before a scheduled step down in temperature. Takes 15 min for the cycle to stop, then the stove will light for 15 min and then shut off per program. A little more thought into the programing would have gone a long way.

 

[bogieb]

Just wondering why, if you are designing your house, you would plan for an insert instead of just planning for a stand alone. Forgive my ignorance, you must have a good reason - maybe resale value is better with a "fireplace"?

 

[MuchoBueno]

Aesthetics maybe? I'm curious about it myself.

 

[Peterfield]

In my case, the Majorca Brown Enamel model caught my wife's eye and all my research went up like a pellet. Her feeling was if she had to look at it in the living room all year, it's a piece of furniture, not just a stove. Yeah, I know.

 

[fmsm]

In my case, the Majorca Brown Enamel model caught my wife's eye and all my research went up like a pellet. Her feeling was if Shenhad to look at it in the living room all year, it's a piece of furniture, not just a stove. Yeah, I know.

Check out the free standing Accentra in the same finish. Furniture worthy!

 

[Wilbur Feral]

My other annoyance is the dumb programing on the autoclean. For example, I use the thermostat to program heating intervals to correspond with occupancy. There are times where the stove will autoclean 30 min before a scheduled step down in temperature. Takes 15 min for the cycle to stop, then the stove will light for 15 min and then shut off per program. A little more thought into the programing would have gone a long way.

I have to pile on for that one, too.

So my MVAE anoyances are 1) Hideous stat and 2) autoclean that thinks it's smarter than the owner, ans allows for NO adjustment. Homestly, had Quad just not tried to overthink that stove, it would have been pretty close to perfect. A great design, but 1/2 the brains in the stat and overly aggressive autoclean really do detract from it.