**Best Insert for (ICF) Large Ranch - what would you buy!?

[mellow]

Can you take a picture of the damper?

 

[BsFire]

Can you take a picture of the damper?

There isn't a damper in the basement - only the open clay flue (see pic below). The clay flue is on the far right side when looking at the hearth.

I can take a better pic tonight to show the entire area if you think that helps. Just let me know. Thanks!

 

[mellow]

What an odd setup for a fireplace. Granted I don't see many installs but I have not seen a fireplace with just a terracotta liner piped to it all the way on the right. I question how well that would work for a fire in the fireplace.

 

[mellow]

Back to your dilemma for putting an insert in there: You might get away with doing a 45 degree elbow and really pushing on the flex liner to connect to it, maybe. That is an interesting one.

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

As a last resort if the exhaust is on top of the insert you could do an offset box, they are horrible for your draft and cleaning but you might have a tall enough chimney to make it work:

 

[BsFire]

What an odd setup for a fireplace. Granted I don't see many installs but I have not seen a fireplace with just a terracotta liner piped to it all the way on the right. I question how well that would work for a fire in the fireplace.

We know the people that built the house and they told is the basement was fireplace was built and "setup" for an insert. They just never put one in. I was only asking about the flue location bc of the liner connecting to the back/center of the insert.

Wouldn't the liner need be shaped like in this pic? Do you know if it would have any effect on the draft? Thanks again!

 

[mellow]

Flex liner "flexes" but only so much, depending on the height of the insert and a couple other variables you might be able to use an elbow like I posted above and "flex" the liner to the connector. This would be the best way and should not hurt your draft as much as using an offset box or 2 90 degree elbows.

 

[BsFire]

Flex liner "flexes" but only so much, depending on the height of the insert and a couple other variables you might be able to use an elbow like I posted above and "flex" the liner to the connector. This would be the best way and should not hurt your draft as much as using an offset box or 2 90 degree elbows.

Ok - makes sense. Thanks!

 

[BsFire]

And, have another one for ya...

So, there's actually 3 chimney caps. Here's a pic looking at the backside of the hearth from the back of the house. Far left is the cap for the basement flue. Center is the cap for the main level. Then there's an extra cap on the far right side. I'm not sure if it's just for looks or what. Of course, I plan on getting up on the roof to see if I can tell what it is - when I get a chance. Just curious if you've ever seen anything like this?

 

[mellow]

Hot water heater or furnace?

 

[BsFire]

Hot water heater or furnace?

Nope - they both are vented out of the side of the house.

 

[mellow]

Not really sure, this was a custom job with the way they did that fireplace flue so it might just be a backup of some sort for later expansion.

 

[BsFire]

Not really sure, this was a custom job with the way they did that fireplace flue so it might just be a backup of some sort for later expansion.

Ok - just thought I'd check. I'll get up there soon and let you know what I find. Thanks!

 

[huauqui]

Maybe a freestanding stove with rear exit would allow you to angle over to that using some combination of 15-90 degree elbows. Something like a 45 on the back of the stove pointed toward the corner with a slightly uphill angle into a second elbow of some sort that connects to you liner. With those clearances an insert is going to "potentially" struggle. At least in my way of thinking.

This thread is full of really good information by the way. I can't wait to see what you end up with and to hear how much you love the wood stove warmth in you beautiful new place.

 

[BsFire]

Man, keep reading so many good things about the BK Princess, I decided to take a little closer look at measurements and fit...

Checked clearance for sides, depth and height. It would actually tuck into the fireplace really nice and snug.

Opening is 34.5 wide, BK is 27", plus it calls for an extra 2.5" on each side - good there. BK calls for 9" on the back side (with fan option) - good there. Will need to add some tile for combustion, but no big deal. And, good in height - our opening is 34".

I think I can move the pool table over enough to make it work.

I'm not too concerned about the flue being off to the right. Doesn't look like that angle would be any worse than those that "angle back".

I really like the ability to run the BK P fairly low and still get good burn times.

Is there really any reason not to go with the BK Princess as long as it fits?? And, I'm talking stove, not insert.

 

[Grisu]

Is there really any reason not to go with the BK Princess as long as it fits??

To get your wife to accept its look? If she is ok with that it would be a good choice for you.

Btw. It looks like the flues are all the same height and pretty close. You may need to either plug the flue from the upstairs fireplace or extend the flue of the insert. Otherwise, you risk smoke downdrafting back into the home through the unused flue.

 

[BsFire]

To get your wife to accept its look? If she is ok with that it would be a good choice for you.

Btw. It looks like the flues are all the same height and pretty close. You may need to either plug the flue from the upstairs fireplace or extend the flue of the insert. Otherwise, you risk smoke downdrafting back into the home through the unused flue.

Ha! If it makes the most sense, she'll listen

The dealer that was here mentioned that. Thanks for the reminder. First thought is to extend the insert. How far do you think?

 

[prezes13]

If it's a free standing stove you can go with Ashford, sirocco or chinook they are all pretty much the same stoves.

 

[prezes13]

my wife didn't want to approve princess in our living room. Maybe next year I will put Ashford downstairs in my rec room.

 

[begreen]

Man, keep reading so many good things about the BK Princess, I decided to take a little closer look at measurements and fit...

Checked clearance for sides, depth and height. It would actually tuck into the fireplace really nice and snug.

Opening is 34.5 wide, BK is 27", plus it calls for an extra 2.5" on each side - good there. BK calls for 9" on the back side (with fan option) - good there. Will need to add some tile for combustion, but no big deal. And, good in height - our opening is 34".

I think I can move the pool table over enough to make it work.

I'm not too concerned about the flue being off to the right. Doesn't look like that angle would be any worse than those that "angle back".

I really like the ability to run the BK P fairly low and still get good burn times.

Is there really any reason not to go with the BK Princess as long as it fits?? And, I'm talking stove, not insert.

In this case the Princess insert would be a better choice. One thing to think about with a freestanding Princess is the thermostat. It may not respond correctly by being in the back of the fireplace opening. It could also be hard to see and adjust.

 

[FirewoodAddict]

Plan is start with the wood insert in the basement. Hoping to at least have some impact on the propane. How much is unknown. So we'll just have to see. I plan on doing what I can to increase air flow throughout the house as well. I can see us spending more and more time in the basement, so it will def be worth it. The plan is to most likely add a pellet stove or insert eventually on the main level to help balance it out.

We have the same kind of carpet/concrete setup - so thanks for that info. We are looking to replace the carpet really soon, so I'll take that into consideration when it comes to the carpet and pad.

Do mind if I ask what you paid for the Clydesdale?

Thanks!

$5500 installed with hearth extension and 22' insulated liner

 

[BsFire]

In this case the Princess insert would be a better choice. One thing to think about with a freestanding Princess is the thermostat. It may not respond correctly by being in the back of the fireplace opening. It could also be hard to see and adjust.

Didn't realize that. Thanks!

I'll have to look into it. The thermostat is on top of the firebox correct? I wonder if it would respond ok as long as it's on the outside of the hearth (no stone above)? That's if there's enough room to pull the stove out far enough.

 

[BsFire]

I really like the BK Princess.

Even though they are non-cat, I also like the Enviro Boston 1700 and the Pacific Energy Alderlea T5.

I'm open to advice and/or opinions on each.

Any other cat suggestions that are on par with the BK Princess?

 

[BsFire]

*Reviving an old thread... If it makes more sense to start a new one and reference this please let me know.

Too many variables and decisions to make (not to mention other expenses) so we held off purchasing last year. However, I think we're ready to pull the trigger!! I'm actually glad we did, because after living in the house a little longer, I've realized that I want the insert on the MAIN LEVEL vs the basement. We'll enjoy it more because that's where we are all of the time. It will also eliminate any concerns of getting the heat transferred from the basement had we gone that route. Down the road I'm thinking we'll put a freestanding stove in the basement. For now I need to decide on an insert for the main level.

I've attached a pic of the current main level setup. Here's a few things I'm looking for input on...
• We'd like to have a surround customized to match the stone arched shape. How difficult is it to find someone to do that and does it typically cost a lot?
• When we went to the chimney shop last year, they told us they didn't know what a block off plate was - and regardless, it wasn't a good idea because the chimney needed to "breath". That didn't make much sense to me - but have to ask, are there any negative effects to installing a block off plate?
• We are going with an insert, not freestanding. I believe most inserts have blowers that will require electric. I assume that's normally 220v? If so, we'll need to have that ran and would like to hide the cord if all possible. Any suggestions on doing this?

Again - I'll start a new thread if you think that's a better idea. Just thought it would be good to start with my original since this has a lot of info already. Getting my head and research boots back on. Thanks in advance for the input!!

 

[begreen]

Try some other shops and installers. A block-off plate is more work, but not that uncommon. Insert blowers will have 120v motor(s).

 

[Rickb]

Since you revived it and decided on a insert, and you liked the BK before, check out there website they have a couple new inserts that are really nice looking.

As to your other questions....

Custom surrounds can be made by a machine/metal shop.
There is no reason not to use a block off plate. Chimney breathing is silly....