Another Dumb Question

I've been testing my insert this past week during the little cold spell. I felt cold a cold breeze rushing into the insert room which is supposed to happen but it was quite chilly. I'm going to do some ghetto window insulation this weekend (applying bubble wrap then plastic window insulation film) to all my windows. It will be a major undertaking. Also have to apply some weather stripping and get one of those bottom of door draft stoppers.

I know I'm not operating the insert optimally (firewood probably not less than 20%, no liner, etc) but I'm really not happy with it. It is TINY! Really, really shallow. There's no way to load splits N/S, they all have to go E/W. I tried experimenting with the top down fire and had to break the kindling in half just to fit over bottom layer to make a tic-tac-toe design. Also had to use the Fiskars on the poplar splits because I'm only able to fit in 2-3 pieces into the tiny firebox. The poplar was split using a log splitter so I essentially wiped out a lot of the convenience the splitter provided.

Anyway, here's my question. Anyone know of a website that I could enter my dimensions/setup that will spit out compatible free standing stoves?

Almost forgot, I went to the Blaze King website (I think that's the name). Read those stoves can burn for 30+ hours This little child's insert I have wouldn't last a whole night. Reading the Blaze King's burn time has really piqued my interest on doing whatever is necessary to install a free standing stove. I want to sell this insert ASAP.

Bummer. I kind of figured that. Would be nice to have something like it.

DougA said:

Blaze King owners can get a 30 hr burn but you always need to remember that a load of wood can only produce XX BTU's. If you burn it in 4 hrs or 30 hrs., you just divide the heat that you are getting by the number of hours (given the same efficiency of the stoves). IOW, some folks are quite happy to have a stove that is warm for 30 hrs, some want an inferno for 4 hrs. I'm the inferno type when it's cold outside. BK's are one of the best choices for being able to control the burn..

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True. I guess I would fall right in the middle of those two spectrums. I guess the best thing to do is figure out my heating area size. Write down all the dimensions/particulars. Find a wood stove that meets my needs then make my house meet specs. As long as it's not drastic changes.

mellow said:

How tall is your fireplace, floor to lintel? If it is not tall enough to fit a top vent freestanding you will have to go with a rear vent which will really lower your options.

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Forgot about that lol. Guess that rules out the Englander 30-NCH. Too bad, sounds like a good stove. I have to measure it tonight.

mellow said:

How tall is your fireplace, floor to lintel? If it is not tall enough to fit a top vent freestanding you will have to go with a rear vent which will really lower your options.

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Had to look up what lintel means. So are you trying to figure out the possibility of fitting a free standing in the firebox or doing two 90 degrees bends to enable a top vent?

bholler said:

You dont want 2 90s. you either want a rear vent that can go straight in to a tee or a top vent that can slide in and the liner come right down on top. Or stick with an insert but we need dimensions to give you any help. Other than without a liner and burning wet poplar you will not be happy at all

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Hmm, sliding a free standing into the firebox sounds a lot like an insert. Don't understand your last sentence.

bholler said:

Yeah i wasnt paying attention i fixed it. I agree that sliding a stove all the way in the fire box is about the same as an insert some here feel it works better i do not i think if it is going to be in the fire box mostly go with an insert. A rear vent infront of the fire box will give you more radiant heat though but usually means modifications to the hearth.

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Oh I see, thanks for correcting it. I read that sentence three times and couldn't figure it out lol.

@mellow was right, rear vent options are very limited. I have about a year to build up my hearth and/or do other mods so I have the time. I'm just thinking this insert will really struggle to heat my house. It's about 2,400 square feet, a really old Victorian. Three stories. I want to heat solely with wood and don't want to over fire. I should have returned this insert instead of testing it.

bholler said:

I have a feeling any stove will have allot of trouble heating that much house on 3 floors You might want to install that insert so it will work and consider another stove at a different location

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True. Two stoves would be a lot of work though. I would probably have to scrounge for wood every weekend at least.

bholler said:

Yes probably but regardless of how many stoves you have if you are heating with wood only you will need a certain number of btus whether you put them all through one stove or 2 it is the same amount. Well not exactly you will use a little more with 2 stoves but not that much. In mild weather you would only burn one and when you need more heat fire up the other one.

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Oh right, just what @DougA mentioned. So I would just make two small fires vs a larger one in the insert. I'll have to research what I'll need to install a free standing in my family room. Would have to go out the exterior wall I guess. Thanks for the help sir.

bholler said:

You are welcome but make sure you get a liner on that insert. And you can always go straight up with the chimney on a free stander

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Will do. What do yo mean straight up with the chimney? The insert will be using the chimney. Or are you saying run the free standing flue system straight up?

bholler said:

I am saying the freestander straight up it is more efficient looks better and is cheaper. If you can find a good straight path up through the house it is the way to go.

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Got it, thanks. Sorry, having problems with reading comprehension today. I'm kind of worn out from splitting wood. My body is used to office work, not manly tasks.

bholler said:

haha get used to it if you want to heat with wood as your main source of heat you will be splitting allot for that big old house i go through 6 cords in my 2000 sqft victorian

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What! Six cords? I may have asked you this before but where in PA are you? Besides central.

Had to look up a PA map. I've gone to Ft. Indiantown Gap several times. Usually go there once a year for rifle qualification. I love that area. Beautiful hills all around it. On another note, I see Lebanon is close to it. I should go check out Lebanon Levi when I go back up there.