Need a small fireplace insert - Enviro Meridian or Napoleon NP145?

Going on 3 full yrs with my vistaflame vf100 which is the same stove as the enviro meridian and couldn't be happier . the only repair was a door gasket in year 2 . very well made stove .

actually i looked at the napoleon when first researching stoves and wasn't impressed .

If your fireplace hearth is even with the floor (older fireplaces weren't raised and were at floor level) you could use a regular standalone and not have to use an insert pellet stove. It might look out of place or it might not. You would also be able to buy a much more powerful stove than the insert(which usually is around 40,000 btu max). Just a thought.

Depending on the fireplace set-up, many consider a rail system for their insert to make moving the stove when cleaning and servicing easier. Also give some thought on how to hook-up an OAK (outside air kit). Can be run along side liner to the top of the chimney (needs to be lower the exhaust), out through an ash clean-out, drilled through back of fireplace. Obviously depends on location of fireplace within your space...

I'd go with the Meridian myself, altho the Napoleon is a fine heater too. Enviro just chopped price of Meridian a few hundred dollars too, that might help. Meridian been around many years, good burn engine. The new cast iron model fs is out, the insert comes out later this year. Putting an extension on the face of the fireplace to make one fit is ok, would look better too rather than having that gap at the opening.

I've had a Meridian insert for 12 years and almost zero problems.

All inserts have a smaller hopper and smaller ash pan. It's not a huge problem, you just have to fill the hopper more often. If you buy quality pellets, the small ash pan isn't an issue.

Get the OAK, I didn't have one for 2 years and noticed a huge difference. The house was less drafty as the stove pulls air from the outside instead of cooler air inside to the stove.

Hi JB, as an insert they're all kinda small ashpans compared to the sister free standing version. That's kinda funny going away from the meridian to the quad, I'm assuming the CB1200? That's our most popular stove too, very similar design too. They both are a copy of the original Whitfield Advantage 2T. All are workhorses too, put the Napoleon in there as well. I love the CB1200, hard to find a better value for the money. Don't forget the quad 100 coupon online too. We sell the 1200CB with std panel for 2789, plus the 100 coupon, makes a great value. I'd say either of those 3 stoves will do you well. About the burnpots, the Enviro burnpots and liner work great, the real key is pellet quality anyway. Good pellets equal good heat and low ash, poor pellets mean more ash and more cleaning, doesn't matter what burnpot design you are using. About OAK- most installers will shy away on an insert, more work. They can't hurt in my opinion, but my own insert does not have one and works fine. Good luck, either stove a great choice.

Keep us posted on the final stove choice and the install...