minimum insert size for an overnite burn?

Generally, I've heard the figure of 2 cubic ft. thrown around, as a minimum.

Mine is only 1.6 and if I really want to I can. I wake up and its still warm using hard wood no matter what. Large splits of oak and a piece of hickory and its no problem relighting.

I'd think type/brand has a factor in over night burns.
Cat" "Non-cat". Efficiency ratings.
Also wood type.
As for size; The Bigger the better.

I've got a 2.3 cf stove and 8 to 10 hours is no problem. Like Rob said, 2 cf looks like the right limit. You can go smaller like Loco said, but the room temp will not be warm in the AM, but you may have enough coals to restart.

vicker said:

i also read that somewheres. trying to get a consensus on a minimum and keep that in mind when i buy

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Also depends upon the technology and the manufacturer.

For instance:
The Woodstock keystone (cat) is 1.6 cu ft, I think. It can easily burn for 8 hours.


The VC Intrepid (catalytic) with a 1.27 cu ft firebox only gets a 4 hour burn with about 6 hours with usable coals.

The Hearthstone Heritage (non-cat), with a claimed 2.3 cu ft firebox (but, in reality, the usable firebox is much smaller), will burn for about 6 hours but offer plenty of coals for a restart in the morning.

The Encore (catalytic), also a claimed 2.3 cu ft firebox, can burn for 8+ hours.

The Woodstock Fireview (catalytic) with a usable fire box of just under 2 cu ft can burn for 10+ hours

If you want to be sure you get an overnight burn, a firebox size at around 2.5 cu ft for a non-cat would be the guideline I would use to give you some flexibility during the colder months so you aren't trying to pack the stove just right to ensure a warmer morning. In terms of catalytic stoves, it depends upon the manufacturer.

Hi Rob, welcome to the forums !!


How big the FP? How big is the house? How much wood do you have now?


Spill it, with pics & floor plan if possible !! It's getting cold out side, time to get cranking

My Jotul winterport 350 is rated for 7 hour burns. To heat up to 1,300 square feet and put out on the order of 35,000 BTU. I believe the firebox is well under 2.0 (1.5?) I can relight easily in the morning if It's packed up with good wood before bed. It's not what I would call an overnight burn as my gas furnace has usually kicked on and it's not a fire, just remaining coals. I would have had to do some work to fit in the larger Jotul 450 insert. As close as I am to overnight with this small firebox, I imagine if you get over 2.0 you will be good to go.

I would echo what you have heard and will hear on the Hearth, go a little bigger...you can always have a smaller fire. You will also have the firepower you need for the colder days. Good luck.

vicker said:

the living room is 256 Sq. Ft with 32" wide double french doors connecting to the den of the same size. the fire place is 27" High x 36" wide and 22" deep. the fire box angles back to 26" wide at the rear of the firebox. there you have it. the den has a ceiling fan and im thinking of adding one in the livingroom as a part of this insert project to better help spread the heat around.
any feed back would be greatly appreciated.

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Open floor plan, 2 story, air flow, Lake Panamoka cottage ?????

Interior or exterior chimney?


*threatens to get out Aunt Esther's purse*


*ETA* Where are you? seasoned wood could be a problem about now, bio/envi bricks will still be cheaper than oil.

Vicker, welcome another long islander to the forum. We have a strong presence here.

Anyway, with inserts the general rule of thumb is get the largest firebox you can fit in you fireplace. I had a smaller insert, napoleon 1101, 1.7 cf firebox - I really liked it, did ok with overnights, but I quickly realized that I wanted a larger firebox. After only one year of burning in the napoleon i upgraded to a 3.2 cf firebox and I'm very glad I did. Hope that helps. Good luck. Burning wood is fun and addictive. Good job getting your firewood before the stove.

My firebox is only 1.4 cubic feet. I had my first "overnight" burn last night. Granted overnight was packing it full at 10PM and waking up at 5AM but I still had hot coals. The room had cooled considerably from the night before but a fire could have easily been restoked if I wanted. I was skeptical as the literature claimed an 8 hr burn time was achievable. I wondered how "achievable" this really is and if this claim was under ideal laboratory conditions but my first experiment supports that claim. I did use very dry white and red oak and kept the draft control nearly closed.

I have 1.8 and can wake up to hot coals, the fan has been turned off, not really much usuable heat being thrown out. I would say 2.0+ for an effective overnight burn.

I will revisit this once I start my insert up for the year with the firebox being insulated.