Another "help me choose an insert" thread

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kylej

New Member
Sep 14, 2011
10
Redding, CT
Hello hearth.com - I'm so glad I found this forum it really is a wealth of info. I've done a lot if reading and I'm about ready to purchase a wood insert. My fireplace details:

Front opening 29-1/2" wide 25" high. 22" wide in the back and 28" deep.
It's a masonry fireplace built in the 60s with the house which is a single story ranch, appx 1700 sf. I have 2 acres of badly neglected woods in northern Fairfield county CT to work with.

Fireplace is at the end of the house in the living/dining area.

My goal is to reduce my oil bill, I dont need to rely on it for heat 24/7. But from reading this forum; I realize I should get the biggest stove that is reasonable. I was looking at the Lopi Answer as I like the idea of the convection chamber to minnize blower use (we are sensitive to noise as I've heard some loud blowers on other's stoves). Was also looking at the jotul winterport 350 but it has the same size firebox and I'm getting quotes for $400 more ($1800 for the Answer, $2200 for the Jotul)

My questions:
Any other stoves I should be looking at? The mid sized Lopi stoves may fit but I dont want the stove sticking out into the room like some of the cooktop stoves do. The PE vista may also be a good choice?
I plan on either building a sheet metal surround that is flush with the front if the fireplace OR just building a block off plate. Do I need both? Will the surround negate some of the heat from the convection?
Any shops in western CT I should check out? I got a recommendation to visit House of Warmth in New Milford which I plan on visiting this weekend.
Are the price quotes I'm getting reasonable or high for a self install?

Thanks!!
 
Are you completely opposed to a freestanding stove sitting on the hearth? Woodstock has a great deal on the Fireview right now. Everyone who has one seems to love it. I would personally be looking at midsize stoves if I were you. It's pretty cold up where your at and it think a small insert would struggle to keep up when it's really chilly.
 
Welcome to the forum KyleJ. More of a free standing stove fan here so no recommendations on the inserts . . . but folks with inserts will be along to answer your questions throughout the day and evening.
 
I'm not opposed to a freestanding stove (assuming the wife signs off on it!) but the hearth is raised a bit off the floor and only sticks out 18" or so so I don't think the Fireview would work if it's a sideloader.
 
I think you may want to consider going up to a mid size insert. Your house is not small and I think you will be much happier with a slightly larger stove, especiLly since it is an insert. If you like jotul then I would say the 450 is a better fit. For lopi the revere would be a good choice but since you want something more flush then maybe look at the Avalon rainier. I am very happy with my pacific energy super insert, which would also be a good choice for you. I would recommend an insert that has about a 2 cubic foot firebox. It will give you a much longer burn times, and will just be a more capable and versatile heater.
and don't worry about it overheating your house. Overheating is much less of an issue with inserts, I have a 2 cube firebox stove in a 1500 sq ft cape cod and it does not overheat my house.
Don't put too much stock in the convection chamber especiLly with a small stove, get a blower, you will use it.
 
Thanks! I really like the look of the PE Super. I like the jotul but I think the wife is going to veto that, she doesn't like the "gothic" arch.

So to get an overnight burn (say 8 hrs) where I can throw a few logs on the coals in the morning without restarting would require say a 2 cf fire box?
 
kylej said:
Thanks! I really like the look of the PE Super. I like the jotul but I think the wife is going to veto that, she doesn't like the "gothic" arch.

So to get an overnight burn (say 8 hrs) where I can throw a few logs on the coals in the morning without restarting would require say a 2 cf fire box?
Click to expand...

Yes, atleast that size.

Welcome to the forums !
 
Repeating recommendations I've made before (I know, I know...)
Buy the biggest insert that will fit your fireplace (and your budget, of course)

You say you don't want the stovetop to stick out? Before you jump on that 100%, I recommend constructing a cardboard model of the proposed insert and sitting it on/in the hearth. You will be surprised how much this can help determine what the thing will really look like...and convince a wife.
 
also inserts come with a surround, so you really dont need to build one. and block off plates are always a good idea.
 
kylej said:
Thanks! I really like the look of the PE Super. I like the jotul but I think the wife is going to veto that, she doesn't like the "gothic" arch.

So to get an overnight burn (say 8 hrs) where I can throw a few logs on the coals in the morning without restarting would require say a 2 cf fire box?
Click to expand...

i have had great luck with my super, it doesnt stick out very far, it is a north/south loading stove which is a big plus in my opinion. if i load it up before bed i get about 6-7 hours of really good heat, after that heat output drops but i have plenty of coals for restarts after 10 hours sometimes even 12 hours. the stove has a variable speed blower which is nice (as opposed to blowers with just 2 or 3 speed settings). i really think you will regret getting a small stove if a larger one will fit. my guess is that once you and your wife get a taste of running the stove you will quickly become 24/7 burners, so it would be nice to get a stove that allows that.
 
krex1010 said:
also inserts come with a surround, so you really dont need to build one. and block off plates are always a good idea.
Click to expand...

yeah I realize that but many of them just look massive, and we like the look of our fireplace. I was thinking it might look nicer if the "surround" were more hidden and flush with the face of the stone. I just wasn't sure if both were needed for draft purposes. Here's a pic of the fireplace:

ZFAos.jpg
 
We liked the look of our brick FP too. We also have a nice raised hearth like you. My wife was dead set against the insert I had hoped for, and we wanted to preserve the look of the FP. However, after installing and using, she just loves the thing. Likes the (admittedly new) look.

I just point this out, because I wish someone had done so for me in the years before. Or, at least, more convincingly. I grew up with an insert type stove, but she didn’t.

I’ve tried to make a long story short, and not try to sell you on anything. You may have already done this, but the various manufacturer websites have good photos that will help you see how it will look installed. Don’t limit yourself to the ones your dealer carries, or the ones you can afford. Just get some ideas.

BTW; cool little bongo drums.
 
After many showroom visits I think we've settled on a regency 2400 insert. Theres a free blower promo this week which is a big chunk of the price. The PE looked a little "cheaper" in person, and the Avalon Ranier had a smaller firebox. Anything else to consider?
 
kylej said:
After many showroom visits I think we've settled on a regency 2400 insert. Theres a free blower promo this week which is a big chunk of the price. The PE looked a little "cheaper" in person, and the Avalon Ranier had a smaller firebox. Anything else to consider?
Click to expand...

Will the 2400 fit? You gave measure at the back of 22 but the 2400 is 23 1/2.
 
kylej said:
After many showroom visits I think we've settled on a regency 2400 insert. Theres a free blower promo this week which is a big chunk of the price. The PE looked a little "cheaper" in person, and the Avalon Ranier had a smaller firebox. Anything else to consider?
Click to expand...

Have you looked at the HI300? A quick look at your numbers suggest it would fit. It's made by Regency and has a Cast front end/surround.

http://www.regency-fire.com/Product...Iron-Stoves,-Fireplaces---Inserts/HI300.aspx#
 
Enviro 1700. Three styles available. I have the Kodiak. Very plain looking. Mine is pictured below.

The Boston 1700 can be seen here. It's very nice looking. Three different enamel colors available.

They also have the Venice, which is nice looking too. They all have the same firebox. 2.5cuft. Blower is included.
 

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jatoxico said:
kylej said:
After many showroom visits I think we've settled on a regency 2400 insert. Theres a free blower promo this week which is a big chunk of the price. The PE looked a little "cheaper" in person, and the Avalon Ranier had a smaller firebox. Anything else to consider?
Click to expand...

Will the 2400 fit? You gave measure at the back of 22 but the 2400 is 23 1/2.
Click to expand...

My fireplace is 22 at the very back but my fireplace is plenty deep and tapers (narrows) as you go back.
 
kylej said:
jatoxico said:
kylej said:
After many showroom visits I think we've settled on a regency 2400 insert. Theres a free blower promo this week which is a big chunk of the price. The PE looked a little "cheaper" in person, and the Avalon Ranier had a smaller firebox. Anything else to consider?
Click to expand...

Will the 2400 fit? You gave measure at the back of 22 but the 2400 is 23 1/2.
Click to expand...

My fireplace is 22 at the very back but my fireplace is plenty deep and tapers (narrows) as you go back.
Click to expand...

Ah...Okay. Sounds like it's time to start planning the install!
 
kingquad said:
Enviro 1700. Three styles available. I have the Kodiak. Very plain looking. Mine is pictured below.

The Boston 1700 can be seen here. It's very nice looking. Three different enamel colors available.

They also have the Venice, which is nice looking too. They all have the same firebox. 2.5cuft. Blower is included.
Click to expand...

I think Enviro is what I would have gotten if I wasn't so financially irresponsible LOL

They have great looking inserts and I heard they perform up the their specs.
 
I think I'm going to order the liner kit from chimney liner depot, it's pretty close to a straight shot and it looks like it should be able to fit through the damper opening pretty easily. Do I need to insulate if I plan on cleaning the pipe yearly? As I mentioned I don't plan on burning 24/7 but maybe that makes creosote buildup worse? Chimney is on the exterior of the house. But then only having ~12' chimney length might mean it's hot all the way up when I am burning? $253 for the insulation kit seems steep when the liner kit itself is only $318.

It's a 10x10 terra cotta chimney buried in masonry (sharing a separate terra cotta chimney for the furnace exhaust) so there is plenty of room.
 
12' is a short run that may draft poorly. Insulation will help keep the flue gases hotter, improving draft. For sure, insulate the liner to enhance draft and safety.
 
[quote author="kylej" date="1317058881"...Do I need to insulate...Chimney is on the exterior of the house. But then only having ~12' chimney length...[/quote]

Yes, insulate...for the reasons you stated: Short, cold exterior chimney.
You don't want to become one of those folks with a drafting problem. Very annoying stuff.

I was questioning the need for this also. One reason I did it was the fact that it was "now or never". I had no intention of pulling that stuff back out again.

Glad I insulated that liner now.
 
kylej said:
I think I'm going to order the liner kit from chimney liner depot, it's pretty close to a straight shot and it looks like it should be able to fit through the damper opening pretty easily. Do I need to insulate if I plan on cleaning the pipe yearly? As I mentioned I don't plan on burning 24/7 but maybe that makes creosote buildup worse? Chimney is on the exterior of the house. But then only having ~12' chimney length might mean it's hot all the way up when I am burning? $253 for the insulation kit seems steep when the liner kit itself is only $318.

It's a 10x10 terra cotta chimney buried in masonry (sharing a separate terra cotta chimney for the furnace exhaust) so there is plenty of room.
Click to expand...

Take a look at the Magnaflex Insuflex. So much easier and cheap.

http://www.fireplacesnow.com/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=68908
 
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