Quadra Fire... Why the bad Rep?

[Jeffm1]

Did plenty of research before purchasing both this current 5100i and one of their free standing stoves back in 1991.
I compared it with the Lopi and some other name brand that I can't recall.
I will admit the newer version of Quad's current secondary combustion system (ACC) isn't rated as high in BTU's as this older ACT version.
I would lean to believe that the majority of (ANY) complaints may have to do with install issues, rattles and blower noise, operator error, heating expectations, and the like, as I feel Quad makes one of the best high end stoves on the market and have done so in the past. They surely charge for it!

There is a reason for charging as much as they do. You mentioned their stoves are on the high end. That is the reason why. Quality ain’t cheap. My explorer 2 has the porcelain finish and it’s constructed by cast iron jacketing a welded steel box ...The best of both worlds—Extremely durable.

 

[Ashful]

There is a reason for charging as much as they do. You mentioned their stoves are on the high end. That is the reason why. Quality ain’t cheap. My explorer 2 has the porcelain finish and it’s constructed by cast iron jacketing a welded steel box ...The best of both worlds—Extremely durable.

This may be true. But quality construction and materials don’t guarantee good performance. Two conflicting examples:

1. My old Jøtul Firelight 12’s may have been some of the highest quality stoves ever built, with beautiful castings and enamels, and fitment likely better than almost any other stove on the market, but they did not perform nearly as well as my current stoves.

2. The BK King may be the best heater on the market, or at least at the top of many peoples list, but it’s likely of lower apparent material quality than your Quad.

 

[webfish]

LOVE my Quad!

Looks good , Heats good!

 

[bholler]

This may be true. But quality construction and materials don’t guarantee good performance. Two conflicting examples:

1. My old Jøtul Firelight 12’s may have been some of the highest quality stoves ever built, with beautiful castings and enamels, and fitment likely better than almost any other stove on the market, but they did not perform nearly as well as my current stoves.

2. The BK King may be the best heater on the market, or at least at the top of many peoples list, but it’s likely of lower apparent material quality than your Quad.

Ok the jotul cat stoves were not good designs plain and simple. So quality of materials doesnt matter. The bk king is a great stove for some people but doesnt fit with others needs. And it certainly has nothing to do with quadrafires reputation.

 

[Dug8498]

LOVE my Quad!

Looks good , Heats good!

View attachment 232525

Webfish, nice looking stove. How long have you been using the explorer? Do the auto components work as advertised? The explorer stoves are really cool in theory, but I haven't been able to find a whole lot of info on how they actually perform. I'd love to hear your experience.

 

[webfish]

Webfish, nice looking stove. How long have you been using the explorer? Do the auto components work as advertised? The explorer stoves are really cool in theory, but I haven't been able to find a whole lot of info on how they actually perform. I'd love to hear your experience.

Third Year. Auto air works great. Open up at start it auto closes. Then I drop the main air to wherever I feel like for the long burn. Wife likes it 76-78 degrees in the house now . 1800 square feet and it heats it no problem. Both my wife and kids can run the stove since the autoair is just a rod you pull out and leave it , it then retracts on its own. Simple and EPA compliant at 2.0 g/hr

 

[Dug8498]

Third Year. Auto air works great. Open up at start it auto closes. Then I drop the main air to wherever I feel like for the long burn. Wife likes it 76-78 degrees in the house now . 1800 square feet and it heats it no problem. Both my wife and kids can run the stove since the autoair is just a rod you pull out and leave it , it then retracts on its own. Simple and EPA compliant at 2.0 g/hr

Much appreciated, thanks for the info. One last thing- what kind of burn times do you average from a full load?

 

[webfish]

I have never done a full load where it is packed. It is a big firebox. 1800 sq feet it would heat us right out. I usually do 3/4 load and easy get 8- 9 hours depending on what wood I use. Where enough coals for restart by just laying splits on it. That still keeps it above 70 degrees in the main room with bedrooms a little lower.

 

[Dug8498]

I have never done a full load where it is packed. It is a big firebox. 1800 sq feet it would heat us right out. I usually do 3/4 load and easy get 8- 9 hours depending on what wood I use. Where enough coals for restart by just laying splits on it. That still keeps it above 70 degrees in the main room with bedrooms a little lower.

Thanks!

 

[Ashful]

Ok the jotul cat stoves were not good designs plain and simple. So quality of materials doesnt matter. The bk king is a great stove for some people but doesnt fit with others needs. And it certainly has nothing to do with quadrafires reputation.

Of course they don’t, they were just two examples to prove a point, that quality materials don’t guarantee good design. Quadrafire earned their own bad rep, hence the OP, Jotul had nothing to do with that.

 

[bholler]

Of course they don’t, they were just two examples to prove a point, that quality materials don’t guarantee good design. Quadrafire earned their own bad rep, hence the OP, Jotul had nothing to do with that.

But quad doesnt have a bad rep. Yes they had some issues but they didnt ignore them they provided a fix.

 

[begreen]

Quadrafire earned their own bad rep

Baloney. There are 11 pages of Quad reviews here and the overwhelming majority are very positive. The negatives are mostly about the first generation of the Mt. Vernon and Castile pellet stoves which definitely had issues which Quad addressed. Their wood stoves in general have excellent reviews. The Quadrafire insert I owned was a good running and well made product. If the T6 ever needs replacing the Quad Explorer III will be on the short list of options.

With any reviews there are going to be people that don't like the product because they bought the wrong product for the job. That doesn't mean that in any way it's a bad product. Quad sells a ton of stoves. The more you sell the greater the possibility of someone buying a stove that is too small, not radiant enough, etc..