Hearthstone Clydesdale or Jotul C550

The Clydesdale can be installed flush with the front of the firebox or extending up to 5" onto the hearth. There is definitely some performance advantage in having the 5" extension into room. There was a discussion on this topic by "Rhonemas" (who is a very knowledgeable Clydesdale user) .... I suggest you search for his posts. He recommended that the install was done with the 5" extension, but the reason was so that the fan supply shrouds (which end 5" behind the front of the insert) would otherwise be back in the firebox and there would otherwise be significant loss of the blower performance (convection air). If an insert is designed solely for a flush install this wouldn't be an issue.

Doubtless there is some performance pick-up (radiant heat) in having the non-flush installation. My guess is that it is - at most - a few percent; not a real factor in deciding which way to go.

My experience with the Clydesdale (first year) is that it is a great insert. I am sure that Jotul is also (and I'd search the site for ratings on both). I my opinion either would be fine (but a happy wife makes life even "finer".....)

mkek said:

Hi all,

New to the forums. We have a wood fireplace that we only used twice. I would like save on our heating bill (gas).

Wife and I are looking into a wood insert. I like the Clydesdale due to the soapstone but wife likes the look of the Jotul. The price difference between the two is $100.
Are the two models comparable? Will we gain more heat from the Clydesdale since it is not flush against the wall or we will not notice the difference?


Our house is a split level. Living room and dining room are in one location (open floor plan 406 sq ft.). We have a masonry fireplace (30" x 49" x 20")


Any guidance would be appreciated

Thanks

Click to expand...

I don't know anything about either stove but I do know about inserts that won't fit. Whatever you buy, make sure it fits first.

Hello Mkek.. I'm a new Clydesdale owner as well and also considered the Jotul and Quad inserts in my search. I never considered installing it flush as doing so put the output vents on top of the unit 5 inches back in the firebox behind the surround. That just doesn't make sense since so much of the house heating ability is directly tied to getting that hot air out into the room.

Also, a great point made by “Rhonemas” on the blower placement. The blower picks up air from below more so than from the screens on the front of the blower. Having it out as far as possible aids in sucking up the cold air lower at floor level in the room.

The only negatives I can see are as follows, Just my observations now that I have it up and running:

1 - Firebox Size - 2.4 cuft, The Clyde firebox is only 13" deep, I wish it was 3 or 4 inches deeper.
But the 22x12inch front window can't be beat and the unit will accept 20 inch logs east/west easily.

2 - Fans - The fans are LOUD even on low setting a noticeable 60cycle hum or buzz is very audible from the 2 motors housed within.
Turn the fans up high and it's really loud, too loud to watch TV. I have no frame of reference real world but I swear the blowers on the
Jotul and Quadra in the showroom were not this loud.. Would love to hear others chime in on this??

Overall I love the insert, The 550LB mass coupled with the soapstone refractory really kicks out the heat and does so long after the fire has burned down. I also like the contemporary look of the thing. Yes, in some ways the firebox does look like a medieval television of sorts but that's OK as i love watching it and the view is great, The burner tubes as angled down from front to back along the top of the firebox so the view of secondary burn is completely visible and very impressive. It's down right addictive looking at the burn in this insert. Also my wife and daughter both liked the look of the Clydesdale over the others so that sealed it for me..

A few pics of my install, Hope it helps: (Notice the heat vents left and right of center between the surround and the firebox)

Welcome- I went through the same process last winter and decided on the Jotul for several reasons.
It's size.

Location of the blowers for easy cleaning and repair.

It's looks and that it could be installed flush with fireplace. My old insert stuck out about 5 inches which wasn't a big deal. Initially I was concerned about it being flush and how that would effect heat but this unit throws out massive amounts of heat even on our coldest days so my concerns were for naught.

It was a tough decision because I liked the idea of the soapstone holding onto the heat for a long time. I have found that the Jotul holds heat a lot longer than I expected so I am thrilled about that. I can build a starter fire to heat my flue and the stove up and then throw on 3 splits and let it burn all the way through the cycle. By about 2:30 or 3:00 when just coals are left the temp. in the 'insert room' is still around 75*. I can let them continue to burn down without reloading and house temp. will stay in the 70's. Our house is well insulated so it holds the heat too. Sometime in the evening I will build another fire to keep things warm through the night. In the morning the room will be in the low 60's.

Either insert, you can't go wrong. Both good companies from what I learned in my search. I really wanted to go with the Hearthstone Phoenix but just didn't have the clearances for a free standing stove.

There is a thread here that someone started this winter specifically to the 550. Go back a few pages and it should come up. All are 550 owners figuring out our inserts.

:coolsmile:

I have the Jotul, it is nice. You wil be very happy. Easy stove to use and does it pump out the heat. Still working on overnite burntimes, but I usually get a fire going off coals. Enjoy!

Just one concern on the Clydesdale sticking out an extra 5" would be if you have enough distance from the stove face to the end of your hearth to meet code, I know my Jotul was close as a flush mount.

Congrats on your purchase, I hope you like your stove as much as I like mine..

NICE! Good luck.

congrats!! post some pics..

We have had our 550 since may. Fired it up in october and started to learn how it works, Great. We have a strange designed house, bedrooms in the lower level,basement, living space on the first floor. The bedrooms are on a concrete slab with infloor heat as is the upstairs. the bedrooms have the heat come on occasionally but the living spaces have not come on yet this year, temps down to 0*. Last night we had to open a window to get the temp below 75. Outside was forecast to be 20's overnight. We went to bed at 11:00 and at 6:30 the upstairs was at 71, a few small splits got her going. BTW our house is mostly glass 97 windows in a 2500 sg. ft. house. If it works for us You will love the 550!