Need an Insert that can also burn with the doors open

There are several brands that offer an optional screen door. I know pacific energy inserts do, and I love my pe pacific insert. But honestly i can't imagine ever wanting to burn with the open screen door. You will eatt through alot of wood that way and most o your heat will go up the chimney. I understand wanting the ambiance of the open fire, but in reality I think the fire is nicer to look at with the doors closed. You get those nice slowly rolling flames, awesome looking secondary combustion and a nice peaceful fire and as long as you have reasonably seasoned wood and know how to use the stove properly the glass stays really clean and let's you see the fire. In my opinion the fire you get withthe doors closed is prettier and far more peaceful than the raging inferno that will be burning with open doors.

My Jotul Oslo has the optional screen for use with the doors open. I would be surprised if their inserts did not work the same way.

The fire is so pretty behind the glass we almost never use the screen. Twice in three years, maybe.

Just a word of caution about Vermont castings, there are alot of people who have had issues with them as a company. VC seems to be having some quality issues these days and people have been running into issues with warranties not being honored or going through alot of issues getting warranty work done. And if you want the screen door option go for it , but I think it would be a mistake to let that be the biggest factor in what stove you buy because I can garuntee that once you have the stove you will use that screen door like two times and then realize you are over needing to see the open fire.

Rick- Try the argument that glass obstructs the view less than a screen. Class is clear. Screens aren't. If she likes the smell just open the door real fast. Or tell her if she wants a screen, she can chop the wood that burns when the door is open! My Jotul C550 has a big glass door with a great view and even the wife approves. Good luck!! Oh, and maybe grow a pair! jk. Hope it works out for you.

Rick53 said:

Long time reader, but newly registered. I need a small miracle. I have a standard size masonry fireplace that I would like to fit with an insert. My wife insists that the insert be able to operate for a few hours each night with the doors open. I am looking at the Lopi Declaration, but I really like the Vermont Castings Merrimack for the large viewing area. I'm open to other brands. Can many of these inserts be operated for a few hours with no smoke/overheating problems with the doors open if you have a screen in front of them and keep the fire small? I'd really appreciate any help. Thanks

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I can not stress enough how overrated this is. My wife felt the same way. She's done it once in three years. Plenty of stove offer the feature. Don't make it the deciding factor.

When I was looking for a stove I toyed around with the idea of buying one with an optional screen since I had delusions of how nice it would be to have it burn much like a fireplace . . . based on the advice here I opted not to buy that expensive option since many, many folks said they had bought the option and only used it a couple of times before they realized that burning with the door shut gave them a fantastic view of the fire PLUS they benefited from the heat not being sucked up and out the chimney.

I would be sure to inform her that she will need to consider so much more than the looks through the screen. While she thinks she wants that stove open for a few hours a night now, she will change here mind eventually and needs to understand that up front so she may consider other items. I even thought that I may burn my Jotul with the door open once in while - WRONG! She just needs to be told that this will not make any sense to her in months or a year or so. You get plenty of interactivity with the fire when loading it with wood and cleaning it.

Another thing she likely doesn't realize is that burning a woodstove with the doors open is not going give you that rolling, peaceful fire that you get in an open fireplace. Due to the increased draft that comes with a fully lined chimney, the fire withhe doors open is anything by peaceful, if the fire is still in the stage where there are flames then it will actually be kinda chaotic. The flames will be roaring and there will be alot of noise as air and flames roar up the chimney, I would imagine it would-be almost nerve racking and annoying. I can understand trying to placate her so you get your stove, but that screen door is likely a couple hundred bucks extra, so here is what i would do; tell her that you will get the stove and give it a chance without the screen doors, open the door and show her the inferno that will burn with the doors open. She will likely realize that with the doors closed the house will be warmer and cleaner and the fire is actually nicer to look at. Then you won't have to buy an overpriced screen door. If she insists you can always buy the door later

My wife wanted a stove that could burn with the door open also. I think the Endeavor offers a kit but it has never been purchased and the stove has never been burned with the door open. I've only used my fireplace a handful of times since we installed the stove, it's way to much hassle when I can load the stove, close the door and have a great fire to watch.