where to route power cord?

I did exactly what you are talking about, I removed the plug in cord from teh blower, and hard wired it with 14/3 romex, and used metal flex conduit all the way down into the cleanout, then flex plastic conduit up to an outlet box on the outside of the house.

it doesnt get hot enough back there on the floor to worry with, I could have ran the plastic conduit all the way to the insert.

I can post pics if it would help..

Mines plugged into the outlet to the left of the fireplace ;-P

An electrician, I am not :red:

Check insert manual for install instructions.

Mine has cord on right side of the unit and I just run it to an outlet nearby via a heavy duty extension cord. Cord is hidden by hearth tools etc.

The installer who did the one in my living room drilled a hole down through the brick heart to the basement and wired it to switch on the wall beside the fireplace. People think it's a gas line when they come in the living room and the thing is in its groove... clean glass, nice blue and orange fire over the logs.