Mendota Fireplace Repair & Service
Family-owned Iowa maker of heater-rated gas fireplaces and gas inserts sold through hearth dealers.
About Mendota
Mendota Hearth is a division of Johnson Gas Appliance Company, a family-owned business in Iowa. It focuses almost entirely on gas: direct-vent gas fireplaces, gas fireplace inserts, a gas stove, and an electric fireplace. Its best-known products are the FullView inserts, such as the FV33i and FV44i, which put a large viewing area into an existing masonry fireplace.
Mendota is a premium brand. Its units are built as heaters as well as decoration, with high efficiency ratings and options like FireIn, Timberline, and Decor flame styles and many fronts and doors. It is sold only through authorized dealers in the US and Canada, and installed prices are usually higher than mass-market brands. Homeowners in colder climates often choose it for heating a room, not just for looks.
History
Johnson Gas Appliance was founded in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1901, and the O'Donnell family bought it in 1937 when it made gas lamps. In 1980 president Barney O'Donnell bought Mendota Hearth, a small Minnesota maker of multi-fuel furnaces, betting early on gas fireplaces. Mendota became the company's main business, about 80 percent of sales by 2019, and it is now run by the third generation of the family. Products are built at the company's Iowa factory.
What Mendota is known for
Mendota products for outdoor kitchens and patios
| Product | Lines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas fireplace inserts | FV44i, FV33i, FV32i (Traditional, FireIn, Timberline, Decor) | Direct-vent inserts for existing fireplaces. |
| Gas fireplaces | Landscape, Linear (ML series), Classic, Classic Arch | Direct-vent built-in fireplaces in traditional and linear styles. |
| Gas stoves | 360 FireIn Stove | Freestanding gas stove. |
| Electric fireplaces | E-One | Built-in electric unit. |
How much does Mendota cost?
- Gas inserts (FV44i with trim and liner kit): about $6,900 for equipment before installation, based on a posted dealer quote
Typical street prices we found when researching. Prices change, so check with a dealer.
Where to buy Mendota
Sold only through authorized Mendota hearth dealers in the US and Canada, who quote and install the units. Dealers often cannot show prices online because of manufacturer pricing rules.
Warranty: The heat exchanger, burner tube, combustion chamber, and outer shield are covered for the lifetime of the original owner, with a one-year warranty on other parts; registration within 30 days is required and labor is not covered.
Common Mendota repairs
These are the jobs our verified pros see most on Mendota. Find a pro near you, or shop Mendota parts if you're doing it yourself.
Questions about Mendota
Who services Mendota fireplaces near me?
The Find a Pro directory lists Pro Grill Verified companies that work on Mendota fireplaces and inserts. Search by your ZIP code to see who covers your area.
Where are Mendota fireplaces made?
Mendota is a division of Johnson Gas Appliance Company, which builds its products at its Iowa factory.
Why does my Mendota insert shut off after a few minutes?
This is often a weak thermopile or a dirty pilot that doesn't hold enough voltage to keep the valve open. Venting problems can also trip it. A tech can test the millivolt output and clean or replace the parts.
Does the Mendota warranty cover labor?
No. The warranty covers replacement parts, with lifetime coverage on major parts for the original owner, but service calls and labor are not included.
Pro Grill is not affiliated with Mendota. Brand names and logos belong to their owners. Information here was gathered from public sources and may change; check with the manufacturer for official specs and warranty terms.