Quadrafire Voyageur

[wallycat]

I recently ordered this stove, but have since discovered this site and notice that I don't seem to be reading the sort of enthusiastic reviews for it that I see for the Jotul 450 and some of the Lodi inserts. So I'm having second thoughts. I'm going to be using this stove on weekends, mostly, and I don't have any experience with wood stoves so I want a low-maintenance, easy-to-use unit. Should I be reconsidering? My impression from reading some of the posts on this (very helpful) site is that this some folks have found this stove has a bit of a learning curve to it and may be a bit fussy for cold starts. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[BrowningBAR]

It is a small stove. How big of an area are you trying to heat, where are you located, and what temps do you consider warm.

I'm going to be using this stove on weekends,

If I had a dollar for every time I saw this posted...

 

[etiger2007]

I was going to heat whenever now my furnace hasnt ran but a couple times all winter. I need to figure out a spot for a fireview, bye bye wall.

 

[northwinds]

I recently ordered this stove, but have since discovered this site and notice that I don't seem to be reading the sort of enthusiastic reviews for it that I see for the Jotul 450 and some of the Lodi inserts. So I'm having second thoughts. I'm going to be using this stove on weekends, mostly, and I don't have any experience with wood stoves so I want a low-maintenance, easy-to-use unit. Should I be reconsidering? My impression from reading some of the posts on this (very helpful) site is that this some folks have found this stove has a bit of a learning curve to it and may be a bit fussy for cold starts. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

This is a new model with a small firebox. I don't know anything else abut this model, but I will say that most people's starting problems or problems achieving decent
temps usually go away with properly seasoned wood with any modern EPA wood stove or insert. I have the Quad 2700i, and it's also a small firebox. No complaints, but I would have gone with a bigger insert if it would have fit in my fireplace.

Bigger firebox means more heat and longer burn times.

 

[wallycat]

Thanks for the replies. The home is about 1,500 sq ft, or will be once we complete the garage conversion. I'm in central NJ. The fireplace is too small for a Clydesdale or a Jotul 550, but would work for the Jotul 450. Any idea how the 450 firebox size compares? WOuld it make a difference in terms of ease of start-up and use? Thanks again.

 

[northwinds]

If you do a google or heath.com search on jotul 450, you will find some reviews/commentary. It appears that the jotul 450 has been measured as a 2.1 firebox by users (specs not advertised by jotul), while Quad advertises the Voyageur at 1.9. People who don't like the Jotul seem to have unseasoned wood issues. I think the Jotul is a great looking insert.

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/jotul-c450-kennebec-question.47952/

 

[chang]

Wallycat what did you decide to do about the voyager?
I am on my third season with mine, and some good dry wood makes all the difference.. I had some problems with the learning curve, but It was also my first stove.
The stove is by far one of the best looking and we'll made flush inserts we could find, we have the cast surround and it was the one my wife liked the best. I started out using the stove on the weekends, but now I use it every day, I would love to have a larger firebox but that's all I had space for.
The ACC on a timer and the burn rate control make it pretty easy to use in the beginning , but take some getting used to to really get the most from the stove.

 

[wallycat]

Chang - I'm going ahead with the Quad. I too thought it was the best-looking model, and the fireplace just isn't big enough to allow for a much larger insert/firebox anyway. Good to hear that you'e enjoying the unit, and it's reassuring to hear that it's just a matter of getting on with the learning curve. The dealer is supposed install it in 2-3 weeks. .

 

[highlife]

Wallycat, I think you will enjoy the Voyager unit. I have had mine going on 3 years now. Like Chang says, use good dry wood, makes all the difference. Use small pieces to get the fire going. I use a 1/4 piece of a super cedar starter centered between 2 small splits. After a couple minutes, leaving the door partially open and air control open all the way, I add a small piece on top diagonal. After another 10 minutes, I close the door and it takes off nicely. This is especially important on a very cold day (less than 20 degrees). You need to heat the flue up to get a good draft. My biggest complaint is keeping the glass clean. I have to clean it after 3-4 uses. Also, the rope gasket is starting to wear and needs replacing already. I typically only burn weekends, other than Holiday breaks where I go for longer periods.

 

[wallycat]

Highlife - I am enjoying the new insert, and I'm starting to get the hang of it. The glass does seem to get dirty, but I'm finding ways to keep it cleaner longer. The one thing I would like to be able to to do is get longer burn times. It's a small firebox, so I'll never get the 12-hour burns they (laughably) claim on the Quadra-Fire web site. I've been able to get 6-7 hours, where I come in the morning with enough embers to restart the fire. I wonder if I could do better. Not sure how much I can or should load that firebox though