Largest wood insert?

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supercharged0104

New Member
Mar 22, 2015
5
Ohio
Hello! First post here! We bought a 2000 sq ft home last year that had a pellet stove insert in our large fireplace. With our land we have almost unlimited access to wood so we are strongly considering switching to a wood burning unit.

Our opening now is 54" x 36, which is rather large and the pellet stove thats in there in dwarfed by the fireplace (the masonry is about 7 feet tall by 10-12 feet wide). I am assuming most of the stoves are about the same size for efficency? I know its going to have to have a back plate (which ours does now too) Anyone has a recommendation for a larger wood burner?
 
Welcome. That is a big opening. Have you considered putting in a large freestanding stove instead of an insert? That might be less expensive and could provide better heating. Here's a couple examples:
BrotherBart 30 first fire.jpg Nick Mystic_F600.JPG
 
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I am going to suggest that you start cutting wood before you get rid of that pellet stove. Most people here will tell you that you need to let wood dry for 2 or 3 years before it is suitable for burning. If you already have a wood burning appliance I would get a head start on those 2 years minimum of wood drying before replacing your present stove. You don't want to end up where I am with maybe a half cord of well seasoned wood and a new home with a cord wood stove. I will need to consider my stove as purely for emergency burns for at least the 2015/2016 season if I start cutting wood tomorrow. My half cord might be fine for a week of power loss but that is about it.
 
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Oldman47 said:
I am going to suggest that you start cutting wood before you get rid of that pellet stove. Most people here will tell you that you need to let wood dry for 2 or 3 years before it is suitable for burning. If you already have a wood burning appliance I would get a head start on those 2 years minimum of wood drying before replacing your present stove. You don't want to end up where I am with maybe a half cord of well seasoned wood and a new home with a cord wood stove. I will need to consider my stove as purely for emergency burns for at least the 2015/2016 season if I start cutting wood tomorrow. My half cord might be fine for a week of power loss but that is about it.
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We bought a log spliter last year and started saving/drying up! Probably a few cords, obviously need to get even more done this year. Alot of ppl sell wood cords around us, and when weve researched it, seems about same cost as what we are spending in pellets, especially because I cant get anyone to deliver pellets (from retailers) out by me, but plenty of ppl will load a trailer with wood and make it down the drive we have! Our propane gas bill was 1000 more this year (pretty much 90% of heating), so we are pretty motivated to get to a more resourceful option for this next winter.
 
Might be able to buy seasoned wood for next fall now in your area. It depends on who is selling it. I just saw some honestly seasoned wood for sale locally though at a premium price. If you are near an Amish community you might see if they have dried wood for sale.
 
If you're cutting your own wood cut a few cords of ash and soft maple, if you split it in April and stack in an exposed area it should be ready next heating season.
 
Can you post a picture of the fireplace?
 
supercharged0104 said:
We bought a log spliter last year and started saving/drying up! Probably a few cords, obviously need to get even more done this year. Alot of ppl sell wood cords around us, and when weve researched it, seems about same cost as what we are spending in pellets, especially because I cant get anyone to deliver pellets (from retailers) out by me, but plenty of ppl will load a trailer with wood and make it down the drive we have! Our propane gas bill was 1000 more this year (pretty much 90% of heating), so we are pretty motivated to get to a more resourceful option for this next winter.
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How much propane and pellets did you approx. use in January? That will give you an idea how big the stove needs to be in order to heat the whole house (provided the heat travels well). I second the recommendation for a freestanding stove in that fireplace. You will have many more options and probably a better look, too.
 
ya getting the wood is covered. between us harvesting last year and going forward and sources where we live. So we are pretty confident this is the switch to make (Although a add on furnace really was my hopes long term)


Grisu said:
How much propane and pellets did you approx. use in January? That will give you an idea how big the stove needs to be in order to heat the whole house (provided the heat travels well). I second the recommendation for a freestanding stove in that fireplace. You will have many more options and probably a better look, too.
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Hard to determine how much propane we used because we are on this auto refill program. But over the winter seasons (nov-march) we filled the tank twice. But we had a abnormally cold winter too. Pellets about 20 bags in Jan. We didnt run it alot this year compared to last because it was harder to get, we had some supply issues and had to do single trips
 
Nice, thanks. For an insert I would look at the Osburn 2400i, Pacific Energy Summit, Lopi Freedom. Or do you like the idea of putting a freestanding stove in there? Have you considered a catalytic stove?
 
begreen said:
Nice, thanks. For an insert I would look at the Osburn 2400i, Pacific Energy Summit, Lopi Freedom. Or do you like the idea of putting a freestanding stove in there? Have you considered a catalytic stove?
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I kind of prefer the look of a insert. Whats biggest difference with catalytic? Local stove dealer didnt really recommend it, he seemed to think the simpler the better, so we didnt really get a good education on it!
 
A catalytic stove should be able to run better at a low and slow fire because the cat burns the smoke that otherwise would be smoldering. They require more attention and maintenance. If you search on cat vs non-cat you should find some long winded discussions on the topic. If you like your stove KISS a non-cat would probably be better.
 
Oldman47 said:
I am going to suggest that you start cutting wood before you get rid of that pellet stove. Most people here will tell you that you need to let wood dry for 2 or 3 years before it is suitable for burning. If you already have a wood burning appliance I would get a head start on those 2 years minimum of wood drying before replacing your present stove. You don't want to end up where I am with maybe a half cord of well seasoned wood and a new home with a cord wood stove. I will need to consider my stove as purely for emergency burns for at least the 2015/2016 season if I start cutting wood tomorrow. My half cord might be fine for a week of power loss but that is about it.
Click to expand...
If you go through a 1/2 cord of wood in a week, something is wrong.
 
begreen said:
A catalytic stove should be able to run better at a low and slow fire because the cat burns the smoke that otherwise would be smoldering.
Click to expand...
Besides better control of stove output in the spring and fall, this also translates to less wood used.
 
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I am watching cat owners vs my experience with a high-mass, non cat in the same mild weather. What I hear on the cat side is "boring mode", black glass, fussing with the right wood combo, etc.. In the Alderlea I am just building a full sized fire in the morning and letting it roll until evening about 12 hrs later. If need be, I put some wood on the coals takes me thru to the next morning. In the evening if it's warm enough in the house I just let the stove warmth carry us through the night. Pretty easy stuff and I still get a nice fireview in the morning. The difference is that I don't have hot coals in the morning. A chunk of SuperCedar under dry kindling makes this no big deal.
 
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