Quadra-Fire 2700i and Lopi Revere comparison

[Andy S.]

I have a Heatilator EC36 ZC fireplace which is well-maintained and in fine condition. I and have been lurking around here and doing other research on having a woodburning insert installed in the existing fireplace. I have had the Quadra-Fire dealer out (for a $95 fee to be applied to my purchase) to see my application, take measurements and offer a quote on the 2700i. The installed price is more than double the cost of the unit and includes a liner to the top of the two-story prefab chimney. Although everything I read tells me I want to err on the side of caution with the installation, the installed price was high enough to want to add some competitive tension to the process. I have a Lopi dealer coming out tomorrow (at no cost) to inspect my application and take measurements. They advise that the Revere is made for the same purpose as the 2700i. Barring any unexpected observations the Revere is a bit less pricey with slightly higher heating capacity. The unit will be located in the family room of a 2450 SF center hall colonial style house. I would appreciate comments or user experiences with either unit. Also... thanks in advance for the valuable resource this site has already been for me.

 

[begreen]

I like the Revere for its stouter baffle and the bypass control. I also prefer stoves that stick out onto the hearth a bit more like the Revere. They seem to heat better during power outages. If the price is also better I see no problem with that choice.

 

[Andy S.]

I like the Revere for its stouter baffle and the bypass control. I also prefer stoves that stick out onto the hearth a bit more like the Revere. They seem to heat better during power outages. If the price is also better I see no problem with that choice.

Thanks for the reply. I ran in to a different problem - my wife. She HATES the look of the Revere. Had the Lopi guy out there last night, got all of the measuring and inspecting done, completed the appropriate amount of pricing negotiation while daydreaming about how to get 6-7 hours out of the 10-hour burn claim and then ran in to a brick wall. Here I am wanting to apply all the knowledge I've acquired by lurking here and instead I'm scoping out inserts to use as a space heater.

 

[begreen]

Does she hate the look of steel stoves in general or just the Revere? Do you have an Enviro or PE dealer in the area?

If yes, take a look at the Enviro Venice or Boston line and the PE Super and Alderlea lines of inserts.

 

[arro222]

"A Happy wife makes for a a happy life" Just keep saying that to yourself. Heating capacity with these things rely on several factors but I'm not certain w/o knowing the variables that one would be better over the other as far as heat is concerned. The factors have sizes as well such as pricing , aestetics and degree ( no pun) of heat ouput. Quadrafire stuff is expensive and I do not know why or I should say I cannot commensurate with what I'm seeing and the structure makeup. Their stuff seems pretty good if I can give testament to the new Quad 5700 I have. I'm saying all is seemingly a moot issue for you as your wife hates the Revere. Aestetics seems first at your place and it would probably best serve you to go by that. Even if the Revere heated your house better and is cheaper, is there any other price other than money to be paid if you went with "man think" above all else?

 

[BKInsert]

Another point to remember is you are starting fresh so make sure you get the best bang for your buck. If you are only for occasional fires then go for what looks the nicest to you, but if you are here for the long term of serious heating then for ~2500sqf I would personally go for the biggest and longest burn time stove you can fit in the opening. I believe that it would be more cost effective to go for the bigger stove now then realizing after the first season that the stove is not big enough to heat most of the house.
Sorry if I added another monkey ranch into the already difficult decision making here, but better pay the extra attention up front than later on when it is too late...

 

[Andy S.]

Thank you for the feedback. The PE dealer advises that the Heatilator installation is fine on their end but that Heatilator does not approve. I'm waiting for a callback from the Enviro dealer. 25 years in I can confirm that there isn't a stove made that can warm the chill from an unhappy wife. My search continues and the only thing I'm sure about is what WON'T be keeping me warm this year (but MAN did I want that insert).

 

[begreen]

What inserts have you shown her that get her approval? Are there any?

 

[Andy S.]

She likes the Lopi Answer and the Quadrafire 2700i...the flush mount inserts.

 

[begreen]

OK, well at least she can handle a steel stove. I'm not sure if it will fit but show her Regency inserts next if there is a dealer in your area.

Also, what are the actual dimensions of the fireplace in the front and back of the fireplace. What is the depth at the top and depth at the bottom?

 

[coldkiwi]

funny that your wife likes the answer and not the revere,anyway look at the lopi freedom it does not stick out as far as the revere and has a big door glass....and heats like hell

 

[Andy S.]

It is 36"wide at the front and 20" wide at the back. The depth is 18" top and bottom. The height is 20-1/2". I'll check out the Regency - thanks.I appreciate the time you're spending with me.

 

[Andy S.]

I'd LOVE to be able to consider the Freedom,kiwi. It is too big for my ZC, though.

 

[begreen]

It is 36"wide at the front and 20" wide at the back. The depth is 18" top and bottom. The height is 20-1/2". I'll check out the Regency - thanks.I appreciate the time you're spending with me.

Definitely check out the Enviro Kodiaks and try to locate a dealer within your area.

 

[Phoenix Hatchling]

I had the 2700i installed this past winter. While I am very new to wood burning, and still have yet to master the thing, there are a few observations I can present. The first is that the firebox is damn small. It is a chore to get or prep wood small enough that it is not a struggle to get into the stove. Usually it is at an angle and not North south. The wood would need to be 12 inches long if you were to place it NS. Reports of 8 hr burn times are grossly exaggerated. Usable heat will be 4-6 hours on the load ( which will be small). The distribution fan is what I consider quite loud. The firebrick seems pretty cheap, and is already showing signs of wear from relatively few burnings. The snap disk which turns the blower on kicks in way to late, and shuts off way to early. The first door it shipped with needed to be replaced as it hung completely askew. The second one is good though. If I had a do over, I would go for a bigger firebox, although it really does look nice!

 

[Andy S.]

If I had a do over, I would go for a bigger firebox, although it really does look nice!

I sure wish I could. I am really limited because of zc size. We have a weekend house in the mountains and I put a Harman XXV in it. I got that pellet stove because I didn't want to worry about chores when I was trying to relax. I've since learned that wood-related chores are relaxing. If I had the funds I'd tear out the zc and get a serious stove, but alas...

 

[Andy S.]

Just to share info... I just spoke with a dealer who carries both Enviro and PE. He will sell me the units that fit my zc, but won't install them because he doesn't believe ANY insert should be installed in a zc fireplace. He was very generous with his time and spoke at great length about the reasoning along with making some suggestions for safety if I decided to go ahead with getting an insert. Contrary to the views expressed by two others that have been out to my house, the person I just spoke with suggests insulating the liner top to bottom and further suggests venting the plate at the top to allow heat to escape.

 

[begreen]

First time I've heard that. The zc unit is going to have at least an air cooled chimney if not better.

 

[RockyMtnHigh]

Man oh my. The Revere must have changed over the years to be a ZC unit. That's a GOOD thing. Working for a Quad dealer I'd honestly prefer a Revere or an Answer over the 2700I but that is purely an opinion. As mentioned the 2700I does have a painfully small firebox. You better be prepared to feed it a LOT and have short lengths of wood cut. If you buy your wood from a firewood guy you can pretty much forget it. I haven't touched an Answer or Revere for a decade but they were faves of mine, still are. My mother heats her 1700 square foot place with a 12 year old Revere and it's a loooong Ranch style home. She can cook you out of there burning pine actually even when it's 10f outside and it's an older home with insulation lacking in some places.....

In the end, make the house warm and the wife happy. I've recently seen some Enviro freestanding stoves burn and they do well. I also think Regency has a great thing going and have installed many of their inserts.

 

[Andy S.]

I'm not sure if it will fit but show her Regency inserts next if there is a dealer in your area.

After a great deal of research this is the one: http://www.regency-fire.com/Product...-Iron-Stoves,-Fireplaces---Inserts/HI200.aspx I also had the dealer include the cost of insulating the liner to address the safety concerns mentioned above by one of the people I spoke to. Installed cost with the full insulated relining is $3253. I'll post pictures after it is installed on the 11th. Thanks for the help!

 

[RockyMtnHigh]

After a great deal of research this is the one: http://www.regency-fire.com/Product...-Iron-Stoves,-Fireplaces---Inserts/HI200.aspx I also had the dealer include the cost of insulating the liner to address the safety concerns mentioned above by one of the people I spoke to. Installed cost with the full insulated relining is $3253. I'll post pictures after it is installed on the 11th. Thanks for the help!

Man I'm happy for you, that's a great stove. I can't wait to see a fire pic so keep your camera handy!

 

[NickDL]

Good luck with your install. I'm looking forward to your reviews as I also have the same ZC & I want to replace it with something that works better.

 

[Andy S.]

Good luck with your install. I'm looking forward to your reviews as I also have the same ZC & I want to replace it with something that works better.

Install is scheduled for the 11th, Nick. I'm still licking my wounds from the "negotiation" I had with my wife on stove choice, but that didn't prevent me from spending the weekend adding to the wood pile. I can't wait experiment with maximizing its capacity and will happily share what I learn.

 

[Soapy38]

I can get a 1990 lopi revere for 200$ is this a good buy or is it better to buy a new one? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[begreen]

With a 24 year old stove it is going to depend a lot on its use and condition. I would expect to be putting in some cash into it unless is was more for show than go.