Insert Advice

[Backroads]

Howdy all, it's been a long while since I've been on mainly because I've been free of problems since buying my Jotul Oslo and clearing some of the 12.5 acres of land I recently bought. Over 10 cords on the ground so far.

So along with the land came a new house and of course it's smaller than the old place and there really isn't room to put the stove on the main floor. There's room in the basement but I'm kinda shying away from that route because I hope to build an addition on in a couple years adding a "great" room and putting the Jotul in there.

There is already a nice fireplace with mantle in the LR. But we all know where all the heat goes with fireplaces. So looking for some friendly advice on inserts. I'm going to start scanning some of the older threads. I'm in Southern RI so I have a few choices of who to go with in the local area. Anyways, thanks in advance!!

Forgot to add...looking for something in the medium range. 1200 sq ft. But mainly looking for personal experience with particular stoves. Just trying to educate myself from the experience of others before I decide. I figure I have about 3 months before I need it installed.

 

[begreen]

Hey there. Will an Englander 13NCi fit? What length are your current splits?

 

[kingquad]

Personally, I had an Enviro 1700 insert that I sold with my house. It was a beast of a heater that had very good burn times. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend or buy another. The 1700 might be a little big for your setup, but the 1200 would work nicely. My only problem with the 1200 is it's an E/W load only. The 1700 does tolerate smaller fires well if your wood is very dry.

 

[Backroads]

Current splits are between 15"-20". Why the variation one may ask? There's a method to my madness, lol. In the milder months I burn the shorter stuff. I stack it according to length. This way I'm not getting the house too hot and having to open a window to keep the Mrs happy.

Just looked at the Englander...the wife may want something a little more "pretty". LMAO

 

[James02]

Good day sir....I had the PE Vista, it was good for my house that is on the smaller side....But the bjrn times were not great. I have since upgraded to the Summit insert and its wonderful, but haven't had him running full blast yet.

 

[Backroads]

Looking at a Hampton HI300. Looking at the installation specs there is one that I have a question with.

Minimum Hearth extension. Is says 18" but the current fireplace is 12" and is about 9" off the floor. Would this be an issue with installation you think?

 

[begreen]

It will need an extension, but just ember protection. This could be a simple hearth board, sheet of metal, or a nice inset tile border. Page 7 of the manual covers this.

"Thermal floor protection not required if unit is
raised 3.5" min. measured from bottom of stove. At
this point the standard ember floor protection will
be required. It will need to be a non-combustible
material that covers 16" (406 mm) to the front
of the unit (in Canada 18" (450 mm) and 8" (200
mm) to the sides."

 

[mellow]

What is the size of the fireplace? Pictures would help as well, wondering about the mantle and if it is masonry or prefab.

 

[Backroads]

Dimensions are 20" Deep, 28" tall and the width goes from 32" in the front to 25" in the back.

Thanks for the info Begreen.

 

[dafattkidd]

I used to have a Napoleon 1101 insert that I really liked. That has a 1.7 cf firebox. I think that would handle your space fine, but if I were you I'd be looking at something in the 2.25 cf firebox range. The Napoleon 1402 has an 18" x 18" firebox. I'd be looking in that direction. Not necessarily at Napoleons but that size firebox. Having a larger firebox is helpful for getting some of those larger splits in there. And the burn times are significantly better.

The good thing about having an oversized insert is if it gets a little too warm you can turn the fan off and let the temps even out a bit while extending your burn time.

 

[velvetfoot]

I got a Hampton 300 HI this March, so haven't burned it a bunch, but enough to say I think I'm gonna like it. Here's the thread where I made up my little mind:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...-order-one-by-the-weekend.84151/#post-1088438

 

[Backroads]

Thanks for the thread link Velvetfoot!! Nice looking stove and that's what will make the wife happy. I talked to a salesman today and he said the 300 didn't come in color other than the black but the smaller and bigger stoves do?? That didn't make sense to me unless those are the stoves he has "in stock". I showed the wife a picture of one I found online (below). I think the salesman lied to me. Do you mind me asking about what you paid? PM if you want. Thanks!!

 

[velvetfoot]

Thanks for the thread link Velvetfoot!! Nice looking stove and that's what will make the wife happy. I talked to a salesman today and he said the 300 didn't come in color other than the black but the smaller and bigger stoves do?? That didn't make sense to me unless those are the stoves he has "in stock". I showed the wife a picture of one I found online (below). I think the salesman lied to me. Do you mind me asking about what you paid? PM if you want. Thanks!!

I posted a price for the unit only in my review here: https://www.hearth.com/ratings/art.php?id=3287 .
I don't know why my install thread got locked by a moderator. I don't see a problem with posting on old threads.
That picture that you have is old, I believe, because the doors don't have that decorative iron over the glass anymore.
I thought they still made enamel models, but who knows.

 

[begreen]

I like the divided grillework. Now it's just a picture window. The new insert also appears to be a darker brown, but it's still available in enamel.

 

[weatherguy]

Hampton must have a woman designing their stoves, my wife also likes that one for our upstairs fireplace. It gets good reviews, Hampton makes pretty good stoves, it wouldnt hurt to have a smaller second stove once you put your addition on in the future.

 

[Backroads]

Hampton must have a woman designing their stoves, my wife also likes that one for our upstairs fireplace. It gets good reviews, Hampton makes pretty good stoves, it wouldnt hurt to have a smaller second stove once you put your addition on in the future.

The addition is going to be a fairly large "family room" and if I get my way my Jotul will have it's place in there.

 

[Backroads]

I posted a price for the unit only in my review here: https://www.hearth.com/ratings/art.php?id=3287 .
I don't know why my install thread got locked by a moderator. I don't see a problem with posting on old threads.
That picture that you have is old, I believe, because the doors don't have that decorative iron over the glass anymore.
I thought they still made enamel models, but who knows.

Thanks! I read that review. I got a total cost quote with new SS liner and the stove in black with install for about $3500. So that's in the same ballpark as what you paid. I really want to go with the enamel though this time. I regret not getting the Oslo in enamel. After all 7 months or so out the year it is a piece of furniture.

 

[velvetfoot]

7 months; I should be so lucky!

 

[Backroads]

For those that asked...Here is the ugly hole now. After the stove is installed a friend who is a mason is going to install some stone veneer or thin-stone over the brick to make it even more easy to look at along with the I300. :D

 

[begreen]

That's going to be a great improvement. Is the mantel getting changed or shielded?

 

[Backroads]

According to the docs for the I300 the Mantle is far enough away and the over hang is much less than the maximum allowable. So all should be well there. (fingers crossed)

 

[begreen]

If you have 20" or better from the stove top to the mantel you should be good to go.

 

[Backroads]

21.5" if my tape measure is right. Thanks!

 

[tfdchief]

I have the Hampton H200 stove. Regency/Hampton make quality products.

 

[Backroads]

Ordered the I300 in enamel today!! All said and done with installation and tax $4200 with 0% financing. Not the best but not the worst either. Cash is tight so payments was the best route for me. Could of saved going with black but I wanted to hush the wife up.

Anyways, next question. I need a hearth board. Of course they have some there but wanted to ask the "pros" here where they get theirs? Need a 12x48 most definitely. Any and all suggestions appreciated!!