What Wood Inserts Would Fit?

[John-Eddie]

Greetings,

Basically, I have a small fireplace and I'm looking for a wood insert that will fit it. Ideally, I'd like to be able to heat my 1400ft^2 cape, but if I can get heat for just the first floor/supplemental heat (about 750ft^2) that'd be great. Price isn't an issue as long as it's a good value.

Attached is a line drawing, I can post a picture too if it helps - but essentially, the front opening is plenty big for most, but it's shallow and tapers to a narrower back. It also slopes forward towards the damper.

I've heard the Jotul 350 and 450 are adjustable - would either of these work perhaps? Other suggestions?

Thanks!

-John-Eddie

 

[John-Eddie]

Found the manual online for the C350. It would *appear* that this insert fits so exactly that my fireplace must be some standard size.

Does that sound correct? Pic attached.

-John-Eddie

 

[KaptJaq]

Based on your drawings it looks like the 350 will fit. Another one you might consider is the Vermont Castings Montpelier with the 3” Hearth Extension Kit. This pushes the stove out onto the hearth a little to help radiate heat better. With the extension kit it is 14.25" deep at 22" up from the hearth. With both stoves you need to check the clearance to all combustibles (any wood trim, mantels, etc...), the hearth depth in front of the unit, the thermal resistance of the hearth, and how the stove outlet lines up with the flue...

KaptJaq

 

[CT-Mike]

I have a larger fireplace but the lintel is rather low. The Lopi Freedom specs showed it would fit in my fireplace, the local dealer had one in stock so that is what I went with. The only problem with the install was the distance from the top of the stove to the lintel was about 6" or so, made connecting up the liner a major PITA. But that said, I am happy with my stove. My adivce to you is to put in the largest stove that will fit your fireplace.

 

[John-Eddie]

Thanks all.

Any recommendations for where to buy the VC Montpelier from?

-John-Eddie

 

[James02]

Welcome...Where are you located....I ask because, small might heat the first, probably not the second....Small box = more loading, less sleep...

 

[John-Eddie]

Welcome...Where are you located....I ask because, small might heat the first, probably not the second....Small box = more loading, less sleep...

I'm in Dover, NH. First floor only is certainly OK.

-John-Eddie

 

[CT-Mike]

Do you have multi-zone heat? If not, and the thermostat is near the woodstove, you will never get any heat to the second floor.

 

[Grisu]

For the size of your home I would also recommend a medium size insert with a firebox size of 2 to 2.5 cu ft. The Lopi Republic sticks out quite a bit and may fit. Keep looking; there may be more inserts that will suit your needs. Check also here: https://www.hearth.com/talk/link-forums/stove-reviews.35/
In addition: Have you thought about putting a freestanding stove in front of the fireplace? That will drastically increase your options and be cheaper, too. Plus, you will have a better heater when there is a power outage.

Finally, if you do not have dry wood at hand (cut, split and stacked in sun and wind for more than 1 year) I would get that going first and take my time with the stove purchase. You will not be able to burn before next winter anyway and in the spring some bargains can be made.

 

[John-Eddie]

Do you have multi-zone heat? If not, and the thermostat is near the woodstove, you will never get any heat to the second floor.

Yep - hydronic baseboard, three zones, upstairs is all one separate zone.

-John-Eddie

 

[John-Eddie]

For the size of your home I would also recommend a medium size insert with a firebox size of 2 to 2.5 cu ft. The Lopi Republic sticks out quite a bit and may fit. Keep looking; there may be more inserts that will suit your needs. Check also here: https://www.hearth.com/talk/link-forums/stove-reviews.35/
In addition: Have you thought about putting a freestanding stove in front of the fireplace? That will drastically increase your options and be cheaper, too. Plus, you will have a better heater when there is a power outage.

Finally, if you do not have dry wood at hand (cut, split and stacked in sun and wind for more than 1 year) I would get that going first and take my time with the stove purchase. You will not be able to burn before next winter anyway and in the spring some bargains can be made.

This sounds like great advice, thanks!

I'll keep researching and wait patiently.

-John-Eddie

 

[John-Eddie]

Just looked at the manual - a Lopi Republic 1750i fits in that tiny spot - as you said, sticks out a lot. Requires 16" non-combustible hearth space from the faceplate, I have 17" so I'm ok there.

I like that that's much larger too.

I'm OK with a wood stove out front, but my wife isn't. I'd also have to extend the hearth as it's nowhere near big enough for that.

-John-Eddie

 

[John-Eddie]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I just wanted to say "thanks" to everyone again - I ended finding a great deal on a new Lopi 1750i, and a cord and a half of seasoned wood from a relative that no longer burns.

Love the insert! Drafts great, blower heats up the whole house in no time - in fact, I've had to shut it off after 1/2 an hour or so most of the time.

I'm seeing only minimal secondary burn coming out of the pipes, but there is absolutely *zero* noticeable smoke escaping the chimney, so it must be burning clean. Yay! ^_^

-John-Eddie

 

[KaptJaq]

Glad you found something that fits at a reasonable price. The Lopi is a nice unit. Enjoy the heat.

Around here they say "Pictures or it never happened!"

KaptJaq

 

[Woody Stover]

Glad you found something that fits at a reasonable price. The Lopi is a nice unit. Enjoy the heat.

Around here they say "Pictures or it never happened!"

KaptJaq

Ya, anyone can say they ended up finding "a great deal on a new Lopi 1750i, and a cord and a half of seasoned wood from a relative that no longer burns." Not that you would ever do that...

 

[John-Eddie]

Ya, anyone can say they ended up finding "a great deal on a new Lopi 1750i, and a cord and a half of seasoned wood from a relative that no longer burns." Not that you would ever do that...

Fair enough.

The insert, first burn to cure the paint going on...



Do you really want a picture of the woodpile? <LOL>

I could, if anyone wants a laugh, upload the video I made to try to show a buddy what secondary combustion looks like. It was RIPPIN' - like every vent hole was jetting forth firey fury. Of course, I then noticed I was heading towards overfiring and the burn tubes went bright cherry...

Surface temp only got to 775 luckily.

-John-Eddie

 

[lopiliberty]

Don't worry to much about the glowing air tubes. All part of the burning process. Mine have been glowing for 3 years and no problem except this year the center baffle support is slightly sagging. 775 is getting very close to overfire territory which is 800. I try and I say TRY to keep my liberty below 750 any higher and the blower is running. With good seasoned wood that insert should really crank out the heat.