First post - enlarge firebox?

74makoLKN · Nov 24, 2015

Hi folks. New guy here. I need a bit of direction on enlarging a coal firebox for a VC Resolute Acclaim 2490 that I just purchased off craigslist. The stove needs new gaskets and the damper needs to be replaced but otherwise seems to be in decent condition.

House was built in 1927. I'm looking at installing the stove in an existing masonry chimney that is unlined (no tiles) so that the stove will exit straight up the chimney through a new insulated metal liner. The chimney is in an interior wall and has 2 flues in it separated by a masonry wall going all the way to the top of the chimney. Fireboxes are for coal, are very shallow, and back up to eachother. One firebox is in the bedroom. Ideally I would like to eventually install gas logs or coal basket there. The other firebox is in the livingroom. This is where I would like to install the stove. Firebox measures as follows: height at opening=25"; width at front=20 1/4"; width at back=16 1/2"; depth at floor=10 1/2"; depth at damper 4 1/2". Hearth appears to be concrete and extends 19" from opening.

So I know I will have to enlarge the firebox width and depth and raise the lintel so that the stove will fit. Questions are as follows:

(1) is this project unrealistic? (2) can I do the work myself? I am fairly handy and not afraid to tackle new projects but have very little masonry experience. I've done DIY projects that requieed laying block and tile but never done brick. (3) are there any forum posts out there that would guide me on this project? (4) chimney sweep is coming g tmrw to look at it for me. are there any questions I need to ask to make sure I'm working with the right guy for the project?

Thanks in advance for any advice/guidance.

Jags · Nov 25, 2015

Hmmm... Couple of things...
For clarification - the firebox you speak of - is this a fireplace (I assume)? In the world of wood stoves, a firebox usually is a term reserved for the actual combustion area once the door is closed on the stove. Just want to clarify terminology.

Second - a fireplace is a system. It starts from the bottom and is built upwards. I would consult with a pro. If you start knocking bricks out to make a bigger opening you might be in for a big surprise when things start tumbling down.

74makoLKN · Nov 25, 2015

Thank you for the clarification. I am referring to a fireplace. I would like to install the stove in the fireplace. The terms i am using came from this diagram.

Jags · Nov 25, 2015

74makoLKN said:
The terms i am using came from this diagram.

It is not an improper term - simply clarifying for us stove guys. Some of us (me) can get confused easily.

74makoLKN · Nov 25, 2015

Jags said:
It is not an improper term - simply clarifying for us stove guys. Some of us (me) can get confused easily.

LOL. I think I am in a constant haze of confusion on this thing. I badly want to be able to heat with wood. Even though I live in a mild climate I hate being reliant on only one source of heat (gas furnace). I had a fantastic old insert that I heated with in my old house. When my wife and i bought this house last year, i was super stoked to have 4 fireplaces (not including the sealed off kitchen fireplace). to my chagrin, it appears heating with wood in this house is not going to be easily, or at least cheaply, accomplished.

Nick Mystic · Nov 25, 2015

Welcome to the forum. I also live in NC over in the western part of the state about 35 miles east of Asheville. The first house I lived in here also had a brick fireplace and chimney with no liner of any kind. In my case when I inspected the chimney I discovered it had deteriorated to the point that I was able to literally lift the bricks off by hand as the mortar had turned into sand! The house was about the same age as yours. You might want to check on the integrity of your chimney up on the roof before you get too far into any remodeling projects involving the fireplace/chimney. I ended up taking the entire chimney down and then after cleaning all the old bricks I used them to build a three sided structure to act as a heat shield for some single wall stove pipe that came off a wood stove I set in front of the fireplace.

kennyp2339 · Nov 25, 2015

Your going to be burning coal? if you are I would do a lot more research on metal liners, coal ash that condenses is acidic in nature and will eat up a regular metal liner in a couple of seasons, most coal operators have masonry chimney's that have a clay liner in them.

Jags · Nov 25, 2015

Ever think of extending the hearth and using a free standing stove piped up the old chimney (assuming structurally sound)? Doing it that way would make the fireplace size a mute point.

74makoLKN · Nov 25, 2015

Nick - thanks for the idea. The sweep will be inspecting the soundness of the chimney today. I know i have some deterioration, but i don't think it is too bad. fingers crossed.

Kennyp - I will be burning wood. The only reason i mentioned coal is because the existing fireplace/firebox is a very small opening designed for burning coal.

Jags - extending hearth and piping over the mantel into the existing chimney is an option. BUT (big but here) my wife says that will destroy the aesthetics of her living room. In otherwords...ain't gonna happen.

Here's a photo of what i have in mind:

vermont-castings-resolute-acclaim-2490-woodburning-stove-page-super-size-image-.jpe

Jags · Nov 25, 2015

Understood. I think enlarging the size of the fireplace is going to be quite a task if it is even possible.

Side note: The picture you posted isn't to code.

Another note: Well... maybe it is. No front loading door.

bholler · Nov 25, 2015

74makoLKN said:
Thank you for the clarification. I am referring to a fireplace. I would like to install the stove in the fireplace. The terms i am using came from this diagram.

It is still a firebox in a fireplace as well. We have enlarged fireplace openings before and it is not very simple at all i would say unless you are pretty experienced in masonry it is not something you should try. You also have to be able to assess what you can take away and what you cant without compromising the structure

74makoLKN · Nov 25, 2015

I figured that was likely the case. I have found some YouTube videos but nothing instructional.

And there is very little that I can find on the web about doing it. Still, I think it is the option we would like to go for. If anyone can provide a source for info I would appreciate it.

bholler · Nov 25, 2015

I dont think it is a good idea unless you can clearly see and understand what is holding up what and how it is doing it. In that video i cant believe he took all of that structure out before putting in a new lintel. It is very risky to do it that way and i would never attempt it

begreen · Nov 25, 2015

Sorry to say that this is a lot of work. The Acclaim can rear vent by changing the flue collar orientation, but that low lintel is a tough one. With the regular legs the top of the rear exit flue collar is 24.5". They did make a short leg version which would lower it by 2". Not to be a wet blanket, but personally I would not install the Acclaim at all. Instead I'd install an insert. Decent 2.0 cu ft inserts can be had for new for around $1000. The reason I say this is that the Acclaim was maintenance intensive design. It's what started giving VC a bad name. Replacement parts are expensive. Unless you know that the stove you bought was just completely rebuilt, I would sell it and go with new. Just my 2 cents worth.

74makoLKN · Nov 25, 2015

Thanks so much for the help. The last thing I want is a chimney in a pile in my living room.

begreen · Nov 25, 2015

Scotch the insert suggestion. I just reread the thread and see this is a tiny coal fireplace.

74makoLKN · Nov 26, 2015

Begreen - thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, i think you are right that an insert is out of the question due to size of the firebox. I initially thought of purchasing the short leg kit, changing the stove to rear exit, and placing it on the hearth in front of the opening, but that fell through because i cant find short legs anywhere and because the hearth only extends from the opening 19.5". I have thought about switching to a VC intrepid ii or jotul f100. Those stoves wouldn't heat my sq. ft. But at least it would be something. Also I like the resolute acclaim because it doest have a catalytic converter.

bholler · Nov 26, 2015

74makoLKN said:
Begreen - thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, i think you are right that an insert is out of the question due to size of the firebox. I initially thought of purchasing the short leg kit, changing the stove to rear exit, and placing it on the hearth in front of the opening, but that fell through because i cant find short legs anywhere and because the hearth only extends from the opening 19.5". I have thought about switching to a VC intrepid ii or jotul f100. Those stoves wouldn't heat my sq. ft. But at least it would be something. Also I like the resolute acclaim because it doest have a catalytic converter.

I agree with bg those stoves are maintenance nightmares. I would not use one if i where you

aansorge · Nov 26, 2015

You say that you have several different fireplaces in the house. Take some pics and lets see those possibilities.

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