Insert and Pre-fab fireplace

Hi all-great site! I have read many posts and forums regarding pre-fab fireplaces and inserts on this site-I am hoping to get a Go or NoGo on an insert for my particular fireplace.

I have a Temco model TLC42-4I, approximately 5 years old-pictures attached. The owners manual does list a warning that "THIS FIREPLACE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED WITH ANY COMPONENTS OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED IN THIS MANUAL (i.e.FIREPLACE INSERTS,BLOWERS, GLASS DOOR EXTENSIONS, HEAT CIRCULATORS). USE OF THESE ITEMS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD." Does that end my quest for an insert without any further search, or is there hope?

A little information about the fireplace chase and clearance-from ground to top of chase is 30 feet. There is an access cubby hole from the basement to get inside the chase with a built-in ladder all the way to the top. There are 2 what I think are "fire-stops" built inside(each with a access panel). It has a inside depth of 2 feet. The entire chase is insulated and dry-walled to the 2nd "fire-stop".

The house is approximately 2400sq ft. with 1500 being on the main level. We are not looking to burn 24/7, but mainly nights/weekends-with the possibility of more. We live in the woods with plenty of wood.

The flue is the typical pre-fab 12" with the 8" insert and air-space in between. If there is an insert that would work in this fireplace, could I insert a SS insulated liner in the existing flue or would it be better to replace entire flue? The other flue in the chase chimney is for a future basement set-up, that flue is already a high temp insulated flue-the previous owner had a wood burning furnace in the basement.

Well, is it a Go, or NoGo?

I have considered the "alcove" idea with a stove or EPA wood burning FP such as the Quad 7100, but both would be an expensive alternative.

Thanks for any input!

GasMan

Craig, thanks for the quick reply/advise-you have given me some hope!

Thanks BeGreen-I will do that, just getting some ideas this winter so I can have it done by next fall.

I do have a few cords already seasoned, but I have a lot of cutting and splitting ahead! We burn a fire in this fireplace almost nightly so we go through a lot of wood-another reason for an insert!

Thanks SCFA-I wondered about that, I have 16" from the bottom of the mantle to to the top of the fireplace opening. I assume the insert top would be a few inches lower than that to allow for connection of the venting? Is that clearance enough?

Thanks for the suggestions Gooserider-I agree with you that #3 would be the best solution. I really would like to avoid that all together if possible, but if I can't find an insert for that clearance then I would have to do it right.

Thanks wood wacker-I checked out Regencys web site, found the i2400. Looks like a nice insert, not much information on it though, I will try later tonight to find some more info on it. Just curios, did you insulate your 6" ss liner?