A few things that may or may not help.... (see notes on picture...)
You may be able to get a little more height out of the unit. See the part of the unit that the screen hangs on (1)? That is removable. Only a few 1/4” self taping screws holding that on.
The part that helps the smoke stay in the fireplace and go up the flue (2) is commonly removeable also.
Both these parts do not affect the insulation value of the firebox so there shouldn’t be any problem removing them (from a safety stand point).
The bigger problem I see is the fact the unit is recessed into the brick. The brick to brick opening is probably smaller than any surround panel and the unit must be fully into the fireplace. The way around this would be cutting down the surround panel allowing it to slide flush against the unit.
As far as pulling the Wood Fireplace out and replacing it… Can be done but what you would have to take of the brick facing, remove the unit and all the chimeny in the chase. Definetly do-able and not that uncommon but quite a bit more costly. The advantage of doing so though is that you could then put almost anything you want in the spot and finish it however you please.
I’d be reluctant to have an installer quote me a price without them showing up to measure. Otherwise it seems like there could be a lot of surprises in the final bill. Or worse yet, trying to install a unit that just won’t fit. I would think in the Chicago burbs there are more choices than 2 dealers.
Any of these Quadrafire dealers close?
AMERICAN HERITAGE FIREPLACE & ACCESSORIES
3054 N. WESTERN AVE.
CHICAGO, IL 60618
773-862-8200
FIREPLACE & CHIMNEY AUTHORITY
120 E. LAKE ST.
ELMHURST, IL 60126
630-279-8500
FIRESIDE HEARTH & HOME - ALSIP
4251 W 129TH ST
ALSIP, IL 60803
708-371-0696
THE HEARTH & HOME SHOPPE
11130 W 93RD AVE
ST JOHN, IN 46373
219-365-9975
Hey BeGreen These dealers are South, Southeast of me. Really arent’ that close as I’m in the NW burbs, almost Rockford.
The closest dealer carries Harman, Lopi, Enviro and St. Croix but won’t come out to assess my layout. I emailed pictures and a sketch with dimensions. He says that he can get a unit installed but wants me to come in again. I’ve already been there twice but I’m undecided as to which unit will fit and works best for me. I was leaning toward the harman based on reviews but I don’t believe that will fit as it’s almost 22” high.
I looked at the St. Croix York and it says 19” high. Does anybody know about the quality, dependability and amount of cleaning for this stove? I also looked at Enviro but I haven’t heard much about those stoves either. I’ve seen good and bad about Lopi/Avalalon. Too many choices and I don’t want to choose the wrong one and have problems.
I was leaning toward the country stove because it too can be adjusted to about 19” inches, has a cast iron pot and boasts a good warranty as well as long burn times versus cleanings.
A few things that may or may not help.... (see notes on picture...)
The bigger problem I see is the fact the unit is recessed into the brick. The brick to brick opening is probably smaller than any surround panel and the unit must be fully into the fireplace. The way around this would be cutting down the surround panel allowing it to slide flush against the unit.
Josh. Thanks for the comments on the insert. Quick question. I thought the sourround panels should be bigger than the brick opening on the firplace as it would sit flush against the brick and cover the hole. Isn’t that the way they install? It sounds like your saying that the stove and surround has to fit entirely inside the brick opening? Me confused!
If it were a masonary fireplace then flush with the bricks would be correct.
If I’m seeing the picture correctly the unit (which is called a zero clearance wood fireplace) is sitting back 4 -6 inches into the brick front. If the surround panel where to push up against the brick the insert would be hanging out of the fireplace the depth of the brick. You would then have a gap from the hearth to the bottom of the insert to the bottom of the insert with a depth of the brick. enough so that you could fit you hand into it. The insert must be fully into the fireplace.
To give you an idea of what that picture actually tells me - it is probably a trapazoid metal box framed with wood and a brick wall was built in front of it.
If it were a masonary fireplace then flush with the bricks would be correct.
If I’m seeing the picture correctly the unit (which is called a zero clearance wood fireplace) is sitting back 4 -6 inches into the brick front. If the surround panel where to push up against the brick the insert would be hanging out of the fireplace the depth of the brick. You would then have a gap from the hearth to the bottom of the insert to the bottom of the insert with a depth of the brick. enough so that you could fit you hand into it. The insert must be fully into the fireplace.
To give you an idea of what that picture actually tells me - it is probably a trapazoid metal box framed with wood and a brick wall was built in front of it.
You have that exactly right Josh. One retailer told me that they sell support kits to prop the insert up from the bottom of the hearth. Wouldn’t this work? I’m guessing that the vent pipe is the only really part that must be entirely into the firebox right. Other wise how would the freestanding stoves work. They’re all open to the air except for the exhaust pipe right?
Well, I guess this area is a bit gray. Would it cause a problem to do so?… probably not. But that can’t be guarenteed because an insert isn’t tested or listed to stick out of the fireplace (at least non I know of). Maybe the dealer has a unit that is approved to do so, I don’t know. But I would make sure the support kits are unit specific and that the manual says its ok to do so.
Their are alot of things in the fireplace buisness that common sense would make things seem alright, but if it is not installed according to code and the manual then there are no guarentees on operation or safety.
I don’t see much of a problem with double wall pellet inserts sticking out a bit. The top temps of these are usually very low, which eliminates the most obvious danger of radiant heat upwards. Our installers would use bricks or firebricks to hold the unit up, and then make a sheet metal skirt which matched the contours of the stove. This would hide the brick and be painted the same color as the stove....looked like part of the install once we were done.
Yes, only the exhaust pipe goes up the chimney and should be well sealed. As has been mentioned here before, it is probably legal not to line the entire chimney, but a complete lining is the job that many dealers - and some manufacturers - suggest.
Put it this way… I would do it in my own house but would be wary of putting it in a customers house, only due to the code reasons and associated liability. I’m hesitant to tell somebody “yeah, go head and due it” when a code official could easily choose to fail it. Once again, common sense would say no problem, but codes officials must go, literarilly, by the book. (Not saying codes officials have no common sense, only that they are limited in their power to approve something that is not listed.)
On the common sense side—Alot of the pellet inserts are acceptable to be used as zero clearance units (built into framing). The hoppers are always in the fireplace so, obviously, not much heat there either. As Craig said, bricks or some other noncombustable material can support the front of the unit.
Anybody have any feedback on Lopi/Avalon stove by Travis Industries. I found one dealer near me that carries that line and I see that the AVALON unit puts out about 45K BTUs. Man that would be nice to get that kind of heat for my 2800 Sq feet! Depth required is 20” and I think I could swing that if I take screen hanger out like Josh mentioned a few posts ago.
I wonder if this stove stacks up to the Harman or Country in terms of dependability and ease of use-lack of cleaning?
Since no one seems to have an opinion of them I’ll share what I can. The only personal experience I have with them was a friend of my brothers purchased one a few years ago. It is a freestanding unit that he is using to heat a very large sun room (something like 20’ high ceilings and 30’ X 15’) and the attatched living room that was accessed through many sliding glass doors. He had asked me to stop by and check out it out when he installed it and make sure it was burning right and to have a beer. It looked great and what a huge hopper! With just a quick look over it seemed to be a well built unit. I haven’t talked to him personally but I understand its still working well for him and he’s happy with its ability.
Avalon is part of the Travis Industries group who also make Fireplace Xtrodinair and Lopi group, which are good quality and reputable.
Edit - that’s weird. When you type (by fifteen foot) in its short numerical form it comes up as - X 15’)
BeGreen. Can you check to see if it’s the Avalan Astoria? I’d love to have first hand feeback from an owner on this unit. I have a brochure and the looks etc appeal to me. The only thing I’ve heard negative so far is that it requires frequent glass/burnpot cleanings and has a small ash drawer. I guess I can live with tradeoffs as long as everthing else is good; dependable motors, no auger or burning problems, etc
Could you ask them a few questions for me? I’m also wondering if they are using the wired wall themostat or the remote. I’d love a remote but not sure how well they work. One last question. Could they give me a ballpark on the cost of the unit back then?
Well I pulled the trigger and ordered the Country Winslow PI-40. I think I got a good deal. Stove + logset + remote control + full installation for just under 4,000. Supposed to be installed by Nov 15th. I can’t wait!
Now I have to decide on which pellets to buy. Said they carried Marth at about 3.70 a bag and the higher quality pellets for around 4.33 and up
Also said the Marth hardwood is on the bottom quality, Pine is medium quality and Douglas Fir pellets are the high end Premium Quality (Bear Mountain and Goldenfire if I remember correctly). Does this information sound about right and which pellets should I order? Will I be fine if I just go with the MARTH hardwood pellets?
Dumb question BeGreen. I have very few dealers for pellet stoves around me and the place I bought from is in the next state. How would I go about finding pellet supply locally? I went to Goldenfires’ home page but I didn’t see a dealer directory?
I never bought from the stove dealer. Call around to the previously listed stove sellers. Check with local lumber stores, grain and feed stores, home depot, walmart, etc.
Start a new thread. - That’s the best pellet supplier in the mid-west? Ask about what others in the Chicago area are paying. Sounds like it’s $180/ton in some parts of WI.
