New Guy - Got Some Bad News Today

Greetings. After dropping around 5k in propane last winter, thought I'd better start looking at other options. I have a fireplace, so started looking at inserts. First one that caught my eye (looks mainly) was the Quadrafire Grand Voyageur. Started researching and looking for similar units - which is when I quickly learned that there are soooooo many other units. I've been lurking here for a few weeks trying to learn all I can, but it can be overwhelming.

First today's bad news - I can't do ANYTHING until I extend my hearth. I have a raised hearth (one foot) that is also one foot wide. Dealer told me I must have 16" from the face of whatever unit I have. That would protrude directly out into a main traffic area in my living room, which is where the fireplace is located, on kind of the "feature" wall. However, it will have to be done and I think I'm capable so I consider that just a speedbump in the road. It does push back the start of my wood burning career, though.

Also the dealer, which carries about 6 or 7 brands including QF, Jotul, Enviro, Hearthstone, etc, didn't want to talk about anything other than PE stoves. I literally could not get him to shut up about how much better they are. So now I don't know if he honestly believes that? Or, if he simply gets better commisions or is overstocked on them. When I asked about the Clydesdale - Oh, it's a nice stove but the PE is so much better. And so on for the QF, the Rockland, and others. Are they really THAT good?

Things that I consider important, but willing to compromise to some degree on if needed are good looks (kind of important, it'll be in the living room)
Decent sized fire box (would at least like hot coals left in the morning)
Better than avg viewing glass size

Informationally, so you can get a feel for the type of unit that interests I've researched the following:

QF Grand Voyageur
Clydesdale
Enviro Boston or Cabello 1700
Hampton HI400
PE Alderlea T5 Insert
Jotul Rockland

If you know of some other units that I might find interesting and should research, I would welcome your suggestions. Thanks, and nice meeting you all.

Thanks for the replies, guys. Nice to know that I have a few other options available to me when it comes to the hearth extension. I'll research that a bit, and come up with a solution that best fits my wants/needs.

Roger that on the wood moisture. I've already ordered a meter, should be here in the next day or two.

I have quite a few brochures on various mfr's inserts. I'll keep going over them until one starts to jump out at me. I read the reviews here on the Alderlea, but there were only two. It's nice and I like it, but I got a little confused at his gushing over it. Usually, I default to the - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Hence my question here. Nice to know that it's a good unit, but nice to know the others are too. I need to pick up my game a little - it was 22 degrees this morning when I got up.

As to the pellet issue - I did look, a little. I really prefer the look of a wood fire, and aesthetics are important as the fireplace is in my main living space. Which is why I won't buy a BK Princess - it's just tooooooo ugly. Haha. I also have the ability to cut if not all, at least most of my own firewood. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

1) Not sure if I can completely eliminate my propane - but I sure as hell want to make a run at it. Bigger the dent, the better.

2) House is 2800sq/ft, 1400 lower level, 1400 upper. Mostly open with just a staircase/short wall in the center of it all.

Got a quote today on a Hampton HI400 - little bit higher than I expected, but it did include the liner and installation. Still shopping and comparing.

Just to close, I ended up ordering the Clydesdale yesterday morning. It wasn't the best choice in every category, but it had the best combination. Should be able to go get it in 7-10 days.