help! 2 dealers 2 different answers

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ryhiggs1

New Member
Oct 4, 2010
19
eastern pa
I am re-doing the downstairs portion of a split level 2000 sq ft house I recently purchased. The fireplace has a large opening and am wondering should I get a Wood stove insert or put a freestanding stove in the opening. I have went to 2 different dealers in my area and one says and insert and the other says "with that size of an opening you should just put a free standing wood stove in with a blower. Chimney is exterior masonry. dimensions are

front width 47 1/4''
back wall width 40''
height 29 1/2 ''
depth to flush of wall brick 23 1/2

Also the room this is in is 21 x16 right across from the fire place are 4 steps to a landing then 4 more steps up that open into liiving room, kitchen and dinning room. All open floor plan. Would I be able to heat the upstairs as well. I doubt the bedrooms since they are down a hallway. but is it realistic to be able to heat everything else.

Any suggestions on what would be a good stove for this fireplace. Id like a large viewing window so I an view the fire as best possible.
 
Here are 2 pics of fireplace with existing Grand-Ma stove that came with house.
 

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You will never get a straight answer. I say go with a big insert, others will say stove...
 
I was thinking the same thing I just dont want a huge surround overpowering my stove. Then If I get a large stove heat myself out of the room if the heat doesn't circulate up to the upstairs. Thanks for the input.
 
I think it just depends on your preference. Ive had both a free standing catalytic, and a non-cat insert (present). If the chimney is on the outside wall of the house, it would probably draw better with an insert (IMHO). Also, with a freestanding stove, you would definately have to extend the hearth and consider clearances to combustables.
 
I would get a big cat stove insert and just idle it down when you don't need as much heat.
 
At least with an insert and a blower you should be able to adjust the amount of heat that gets poured into the room, I think. If it's too hot, shut the blower down some or all the way for a bit. Just keep an eye on the stove temp.
 
Thanks for the replys. Insert was my first choice. Until a dealer recommended a freestanding. I think ill stick with that and go for an insert. Anyone know of any with a really large glass viewing area?
 
As I recall, when I was looking the Hearthstone Clydesdale had a big unobstructed glass, but I opted for the Jotul. Many of the manufacturers list the glass size on their sites.
It sounds like you could fit a monster in there.
 
Should I go for the biggest I can fit in there ? Then just make smaller fires so I don't cook myself out of the room. My goal is to try and circulate the heat up the steps to the living room and kitchen.
 
ryhiggs1 said:
Should I go for the biggest I can fit in there ? Then just make smaller fires so I don't cook myself out of the room.

No. You want the size of stove which is properly sized for the amount of heat you need. Both oversized and undersized stoves have problems.
 
The old Fisher in there is an indication of the heating need. That stove could produce some nice heat. I'd expect the heat to do a reasonably good job of getting out of the room. If it needs a little boost, take that box fan and put it at the top of the stairs blowing the cooler upstairs air, down into the room with the stove. The stove room will be a bit warmer, but the fan trick will help moderate the heat.

In your climate zone I would be looking at a 2-3 cu ft stove to heat all 2000 sq ft to some degree. I like a freestanding stove with a blower in this setup. That way you can run it all the way from a partial load of fuel with the blower off, to a full charge with the blower on. An insert will work too, but not so well if the power goes off. Personally I like to run the stove as much as possible without a blower because I like it quiet. But that is up to you and how much people will be sitting in the stove room. Another possibility is to get an insert that projects a lot out onto the hearth as opposed to a flush model.

There are lots of choices in this range. What stove(s) did the dealer recommend?
 
Thanks for the info. dealer 1 recommended Quadrafire 4100i or 5100i. 2nd dealer recommended regency F3100 or I 3100. the F3100 wont fit in the firebox though unless I take the legs off. Not sure which. I do like the Quadra Fire bay windows.
 
Also could I get by using the fisher for the coming winter and then get a stove after winter? I know ill probably miss out on the tax credit if they don't extend it or make a new version of it.
 
Sounds like you are getting ok advice. Visit some more dealers that have different brands and I think you will find that they are recommending stoves in the ~2.5 cu ft range.

You may be able to burn with the Fisher this winter if the flue is in great condition and the stove was safely installed. A certified sweep's trained eyeballs will help here to determine how the Fisher was installed and if it is safe. If the sweep endorses the installation, plan on burning more wood than with a modern stove and try not to let the fire ever smolder.

Regardless of your decision, burn only well seasoned dry wood for the best results.
 
I know you said you are wanting to redo the basement now, but I would have the chimney and stove inspected, and run it at least awhile this fall/winter to see how the heat flows through the house. That Fisher is capable of throwing out a lot of heat, and will be more forgiving of less than dry wood than an epa stove. That will give you a chance to get some dry wood collected for next year, which should be your priority.
 
Don't know that much about the Buck stoves, but some are the same if they are stove or insert. You just get surround or legs, depending on what you want. So, if it didn't work one way, you can go the other. I may be mistaken, but I think Country Flame has one the same way.
 
Thanks for all the advice. Daleeper, funny you should say that. I was talking to the wife last night and that came up as what we probably should do. Run the fisher to see how the heat distributes, pile wood now for nest year and get a new one next year. Sounds like a good plan.
 
I like the idea of trying it out for a couple months as long as it is installed safely.

Keep in mind the tax credit. You may want to consider a family Christmas present of a new stove. If so, get it ordered early. I wouldn't be surprised if there is an end of year rush on stoves this year.
 
ryhiggs1 said:
Thanks for all the advice. Daleeper, funny you should say that. I was talking to the wife last night and that came up as what we probably should do. Run the fisher to see how the heat distributes, pile wood now for nest year and get a new one next year. Sounds like a good plan.

I guess the one thing that should be kept in the back of your mind is that if you can see early on what you will want, the tax credit will end at the end of this year (haven't heard any rumors of an extension yet), and if you are in a position to take advantage of it, you may want to purchase a nice Christmas/New Years present of a new stove. It's pretty tough to beat the savings if in a position to take it.
 
jeff_t said:
Don't know that much about the Buck stoves, but some are the same if they are stove or insert. You just get surround or legs, depending on what you want. So, if it didn't work one way, you can go the other. I may be mistaken, but I think Country Flame has one the same way.

Country Flame does have a stove that works as a freestanding or insert. The BBF catalytic like mine has a large 3.9 cu.ft. firebox and an 8" flue.
 
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