Need help on deciding on flush wood insert.

Not sure if this is new to you, but did you look into the PE Pacific/Super/Summit. Might be one of the best overall values out there from what I hear. The Hampton inserts are made by the same company as regency. They're a little pricey as well, but they're very attractive and get good reviews. Have you read through the ratings/reviews on this sight. I found that very helpful in making a decision.

Jotul 450? The 550 is a 3 cu ft firebox and generally considered a larger insert. The 450 is perfect for 1500 sf. Edit. The 450 is not "flush". So with Jotul it is the 550 or the 350, at 1500' that is a tough call. I would go with the 550, you can always make a smaller fire in a large firebox.

Go with the 550, picked one up this year for about $2500

I vote for the jotul 550

I have the Buck 74 and got it because of clearances and price. So far it has been awesome. The fan is a bit loud but we've been very happy. This week we had a few mid 30's nights and it's worked great. Out house is an older ranch with 1800 sq ft on the first floor, very long with the Buck on one end. It still manages to keep our bedroom on the opposite side very confortable. It's rated for 2400 sq ft, but as many say, error towards slightly higher.

Why does it have to be flush?

I would vote for the Jotul too, however; it is not about my vote or anyone else. You need to decide what is right for you and your family. The Jotul's are priced a bit higher than other inserts due to the cast iron surround (it is a good looking insert, but at a higher price). It does not heat any better or worse than it's competitors and thankfully, I left the decision to my wife. Good luck, they will all allow you to burn less oil, gas or electricity.

The Jotul C550 was going for about $2500, which was the lowest price I could find. I would not pay $3,000 for it, they are just price gouging.

The installer for the C550 is a new addition to my family, who works for a chimney company (not the one with the Jotul).

Both him and his co worker who were doing install had some positive comments on the C550 based on some small design differences from the stoves they sell. They also couldn't get over the weight of the stove and the surround. This was an objective opinion from someone I could trust.

Good Luck

Just for yor information when you go shopping. I picked up the Jotul C550 for $2550, 30ft Flex Liner Kit for $525, and install was $500.

You can save a lot on the liner by shopping around and the install fee was from a family member and his co worker who did the install after work from their chimney company.

The install is pretty simple, but you need at least two men, dollies, ladders, a few tools and some basic experience. With the economy the way it is there may be a few "off duty" chimney workers who you can sub contract.

As far as inserts go, I would not pay more then the $2550 for the jotul c550, and you are using a different manufacter compare the quality and service to the Jotul and adjust your value accordingly. $3,000 is lit for just a stove.

I am not familiar with other makes and models but the guys who installed the c550 usually install Avalon, and the were impressed with the Jotul weight/heft, the cast iron surround, and the design with makes maintenance alot easier in their opinion.

I hope the prices make it easier to shop. If possible find a deal out of your area that maybe able to offer enough of discount to make worth the trip.

Most places are $550-650 for installation. Just the rip off Jotul dealer wants $900. I am talking to a member on getting a liner. Most local dealers are from $600-$800. I want to see if the Buck 85 will work. The ash pan should make clean up easier.

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Somebody just posted a thread about liners that were a good deal. You can do better than the $5100 you were quoted. I was quoted $4500-$5200 for stoves with installs, I was looking for an insert too. I bought a BK Princess and got the liner for $470, my fiends is a chimney sweep, I help him and give him a few bucks but if he was too busy I would get a buddy and do it myself. You could probably do the whole ball of wax <$3500 for a good stove.

EricC said:

Doing The Dixie Eyed Hustle said:

Why does it have to be flush?

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Hearth requirements. I'd have to use a mat if it sticks out. Wife says "NO"

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Pshaw.

EricC - just want to throw in my 2 cents. Don't have a particular brand to reccommend, but a general thought based on my experience: go as big as you can with your insert/stove, even if it means letting it extend out onto the hearth and requires you to use a rug in front to protect your floor. If your wife likes the *warmth* from the stove as much as mine does, any aesthetic concerns will soon become a distant memory, especially compared to fighting the common small-stove problems of only handling short logs, not being able to get decent burn times, and an annoying lack of radiant heat. I started out with an insert setup with surround panels, and ended up removing the panels and letting the stove extend out onto the hearth. I could go on a long time about this, but suffice it to say that if I were going to write a treatise on woodstoves, the first chapter would be called "The Primacy of Exposed Surface Area". Good luck.