Todd
Minister of Fire
Sounds like a good plan, also check out the Pacific Energy inserts, hard to beat their s/s baffle system.
Cracks in old chimney a problem if installing stainless liner?
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ddddddden
Minister of Fire
C'mon, Todd. You know people expect you to recommend a catalytic stove! 
Zan, there are free-standing stoves that could be vented rearward into the fireplace and up the chimney just like an insert, but if you're determined to stick with an insert, the Blaze King Princess would probably be your best option in a catalytic stove. A catalytic combustor gives you more control over the burn, and a nominal 10% increase in efficiency. Also, talk to your installer about putting insulation on the walls of the fireplace behind the insert, and a "block-off plate" to seal the damper area. Oh yeah, if you think this has been quite the task so far, wait until you try finding truly seasoned, dry firewood.
Zan, there are free-standing stoves that could be vented rearward into the fireplace and up the chimney just like an insert, but if you're determined to stick with an insert, the Blaze King Princess would probably be your best option in a catalytic stove. A catalytic combustor gives you more control over the burn, and a nominal 10% increase in efficiency. Also, talk to your installer about putting insulation on the walls of the fireplace behind the insert, and a "block-off plate" to seal the damper area. Oh yeah, if you think this has been quite the task so far, wait until you try finding truly seasoned, dry firewood. 
The decision does require a lot of research and work. It should. It is a lot of money and it requires a lot of thinking about the safety of your home and family. And a big part of it is that you will be heating your home with that stove for a very long time and it is a job that deserves to be done right.
Todd said:
I did actually look at a couple of these a few days ago. The guy today said to steer clear of Pacific Energy though, Quadfire and HearthStone, and some vogelzang, which he said have more complaints and crack more often. I'm not sure if this is true or or his own agenda. He's pointing us to 2000+ $ stoves, but seems with my research tonight that I can get just a good of one for $1600-2000.
Right now I'm looking at the Lennox Country Performer C210, Regency I2400 or Lopi Republic - which all have a cook surface - a definite plus for us. Jotul seems to have no options for that. Just had a look since you mentioned that Todd, and the PE Pacific also seems like a good option.
Ask the guy to give you the phone number of the last Hearthstone owner that had a stove crack. Come to think of it get the phone number of anybody he knows that had any of them crack.
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