Insert or Hearth Mount Stove?

I always liked the look of a nice stove partially recessed inside a big fireplace. If my fireplace in our LR was big enuf that's what I woulda done. Not big enuf, so there's a big insert going in soon. As for price on that particular unit - no clue sorry...

It comes down to two things I think..

Looks and function.

Does he like the look of a hearth install, and is he willing to give the stove the space it needs? and does he want/need it to be useable during a power outage? Inserts tend to do poorly without power, but they don't eat up a bunch of space... and it's Florida.. so even in a January power outage, I would think it would not take a lot to keep the house warm.

ChillyGator said:

My uncle has asked that I help him decide on installing an insert or free standing stove in his hearth.
Remodeled old school house (2000sq' =+) well insulated, masonary chimney(outstide wall) facing open floor plan (kitchen-family room). 3 Bedrooms down short hall.
His hearth is large enough to stuff just about anything in there and he said he built it with the idea of putting an insert in sometime (he had an old Buck in previous house). Plans on installing 6" insulated liner inside chimney.

ad in CL this morning for Hearthstone Mansfield, grey and brown majolica enamal, said only used for four months, includes rear mounted blower
cost new: $3,900 sell for: $2200

I would think this would make a great hearth stove for that house but so would an insert, what do ya'll think?

Click to expand...

I have heard shoving a soapstone stove inside a hearth does not work as well, for some reason (this is not a bias against soapstone as I own one). If it is true I'm sure someone with more information will chime in. I'm assuming this is not a large walk-in hearth that is 5+ feet high like the one I have the Vigilant placed in.

My opinion is more from personal experience and may not hold true to your uncle's situation (as his hearth seems to be of a decent size), but, when I replace the Intrepid (which is half way in a fireplace that is on the small size) I will probably go with a an insert. Something along the lines of a Jotul Rockland or Kennebec. My reasoning behind this is that I have a lot of problems with heat getting stuck inside the hearth and not transferring out into the room well. This could be a combination of the stove and the hearth and the same issue may not apply to your uncle. But it is something you should be aware of. I solved the issue by placing a fan behind the stove which greatly improved the situation. But, since I am forced to use a fan anyway I might as well get an insert with a blower attached. So, this is what I might do in the future unless I can find a way to stick a much larger freestanding stove in that space (my options seem limited at this point).

I have an equinox (soapstone) inside a fireplace opening about half way. Works fine taking care of 95% of the needs of 2800sq ft in upstate NY, with little attention (meaning with 3 kids that keep me and the mrs running, it can be a while between reloads). We do have a blower installed and I did extend a hearth out 18 inches from the raised hearth by replacing some of the wood floor in front. The opening is about 4 ft square for reference and the stove is in only far enough to have pipe run pretty straight up after a T in the back (also allows the side door to open clean). I don't think it would work as well if it was stuffed all the way in.