Vermont Castings Merrimac, PE Summit, Jotul

[hilldwellers]

Looking to buy a wood burning fireplace insert before end of December to take advantage of tax credit. Have looked at the Merrimac posts on this site, but have yet to see any data on whether you get an overnight burn. Also regarding ashes. How often so you clean them out? Also am not clear on whether it is indeed a tube unit or not. It does seem this unit should get more than 55,000 btus and the warranty is less than terrific. Our house is 2080 sq. ft. We had really wanted to consider the Pacific Energy Summit, but the given front clearance is 34 5/8". Our fireplace opening is 34 3/8". One dealer tells us it would slide in anyway. That sounds a bit doubtful. Anybody out there have an actual measurement? We were told Jotuls have a problem with parts being metric. The whole business is making me a head case. Any enlightenment is appreciated.

 

[begreen]

Welcome. Sounds like you are getting a bit of fuzzy logic coming from some dealers. The metric comment is about as silly as it gets. Check your new car lately? It is probably metric. So are PE stoves. So what? Not sure how they plan on sticking in the Summit though, Vaseline?

 

[gandrimp]

The metric system is a terrible thing to put the american people through. Im a fracton's kinda guy.
That said, I love my Jotul Castine. I just cut my wood in inch's and drive it in.
While Im trying to be funny ( and failing) dont be scared of the Jotul.

 

[firefighterjake]

Looking to buy a wood burning fireplace insert before end of December to take advantage of tax credit. Have looked at the Merrimac posts on this site, but have yet to see any data on whether you get an overnight burn. Also regarding ashes. How often so you clean them out? Also am not clear on whether it is indeed a tube unit or not. It does seem this unit should get more than 55,000 btus and the warranty is less than terrific. Our house is 2080 sq. ft. We had really wanted to consider the Pacific Energy Summit, but the given front clearance is 34 5/8". Our fireplace opening is 34 3/8". One dealer tells us it would slide in anyway. That sounds a bit doubtful. Anybody out there have an actual measurement? We were told Jotuls have a problem with parts being metric. The whole business is making me a head case. Any enlightenment is appreciated.

Scratching my head here . . . is the problem that you need a metric wrench or metric sockets -- if so, I suspect that most handymen worth their salt have a set of metric wrenches and sockets around these days since many, many products today are metric.

If the problem is that folks think the dimensions posted on line for the fireplace openings are only in metric measurements they should have no fear . . . Jotul headquarters in North America is right here in Maine . . . and us dumb Maine hicks still can't figure out the metric system and secretly suspect it's a Canadian plot to take over Maine and half of New England . . . so don't worry . . . you can go on line or stop by a dealer and get measurements in inches.

 

[hilldwellers]

Wow, I deserved that! Sounds pretty ignorant. And yes, we do have multiple tool sets in both dimensions. My husband, while working long hours, asked me to do further research based on experience with particular models and I thought this being an excellent resource. Disregard comments regarding metric on Jotul. I never even finished my thoughts on that one before posting. We were told it is hard to get parts for it. Upon doing further research, it doesn't look like the model consistent with square footage and fireplace opening would work anyway. We are down to a few models and makes now. Tell us about the Merrimac please.

 

[certified106]

Just as a disclaimer I have no experience with a Merrimac inserts, however if you look at the specs on it it states it is capable of 12 hour burns so one would think in the real world environment you would be able to get at least an 8 hour burn out of it. Also if you look at the specs it has a 3 cubic foot firebox which is a very respectable size. I know there are some members on here that recently purchased the Merrimack hopefully they will come along and be able to answer your questions.

(broken link removed to http://www.vermontcastings.com/products.asp?model=merrimack)

 

[cmonSTART]

"The metric system is a tool of the devil!" -Grandpa Simpson

Jotuls are great stoves!

 

[vector1701]

Hilldwellers,

I was in the same predicament as my wife and I were looking at the VC Merrimack and the Jotul 550 Rockland. After hours of research on here and at multiple stores we decided on the Jotul. Vermont Casting Merrimack is new as of this year so that is a risk #1....even though the company seems to be on an upswing you never know what the future may hold with new owners (#2) and what made our decision pretty was after careful inspection of the two we found that the Jotul was made with fewer parts and just overall higher quality. If you looked at the firebox, the Merrimack has thin refractory brick (custom to Vermont Castings) on the sides and rear and the top had a thin fiberglass-like board. The Jotul has standard firebrick all around the firebox, and if they get broken or damaged, cost about $4 each to replace. When we looked at the door, Jotul has welded hinges and the closing mechanism was just a cast iron arm...the Merrimack has 2 bolts for each hinge and the closing mechanism also has a bolt. I don't want to deal with custom parts and manual adjustments down the road...

The Merrimack is a beautiful stove and I am confident it is a fine purchase, but the Jotul won out on those factors for us. I am sure both will provide years of enjoyment.