Experienced eye for the new guy

[WhitePlatinum]

Hello out there and hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I have surfed this website before and I think I am ready to pull the trigger on a new insert as I have had safety on my mind and didn't even burn last year. As you can see by the attachments my current stove is a "slammer" famous timberline "smoke monster?". I have burned with this stove for 9 years and burned real hot and never have had chimney cleaned or inspected. I feel like I have pushed it long enough and am now ready to get a safer new model and line that old chimney(circa 1974) with a 6 inch insulated flex duct and a new unit. I am tilting towards the osburn 1600 insert. My chimney is 22.5' to the top of the old unit. It also has some type of metal insert in it with an "pulling eye"? built into an all mason chimney. The terra cotta liner is 11 3/8" by 11". The firebox is 21" deep, 29.5" tall and 34" wide, with kind of a scooped back up to the flue?. I am attaching some photos of what I have. I really would like some info on what you experienced burners think and if I am making a wrong turn somewhere. Any info provided is appreciated.

 

[jatoxico]

Don't know the dimensions of the Osburn but many happy users here. Made by SBI I believe(?). The pulling eye is part of the damper for the fireplace that will most likely have to be removed at least partly. The chimney will need a 6" stainless liner, preferably an insulated one. Seems like it would fit w/o trouble. Brush the tile liner before installation. Keep asking questions there are some pros here that will usually lend their expertise.

 

[webby3650]

Since the timberline has a round outlet you could run a liner to it. If it has served you well that is.

 

[WhitePlatinum]

Since the timberline has a round outlet you could run a liner to it. If it has served you well that is.

The timberline has served me well especially when I get it cranked up, If you look at the attached picture of the top you see that round outlet with the damper built into it. I feel if I could get a liner to it, it would be a more efficient stove and if I had a way to block the excess liner gap of the firebox I could really make something out of this. I just have no idea of what it would take to hook that 6" duct to that though, that outlet coming out of the stove is like 7 3/4" diameter. I have seen a lot of people knocking the timberline and I understand that but I have that thing dialed in. If there isn't a realistic way to salvage it though I am willing to upgrade. Thanks for the input.

 

[kennyp2339]

Very nice to hear that you want to better, so really the 1st big step is to pull the unit and get a pro cleaning, 1st they will knock all the loose build up out then they should be using a chemical solution sprayed into the chimney to get the rest, after that its liner time, then *block off plate, please don't skip this part; and finally the insert you choose to roll with. Since you from MD after you pull out the old insert, put it up on craigs list and see if you can get 3 beans for it, or make it into a nice patio heater.

 

[webby3650]

Your current stove will require an 8” liner. Attaching one won’t be any problem either.

 

[WhitePlatinum]

Your current stove will require an 8” liner. Attaching one won’t be any problem either.

Thank you

 

[WhitePlatinum]

Very nice to hear that you want to better, so really the 1st big step is to pull the unit and get a pro cleaning, 1st they will knock all the loose build up out then they should be using a chemical solution sprayed into the chimney to get the rest, after that its liner time, then *block off plate, please don't skip this part; and finally the insert you choose to roll with. Since you from MD after you pull out the old insert, put it up on craigs list and see if you can get 3 beans for it, or make it into a nice patio heater.

Are the block off plates custom made by suppliers?

 

[jatoxico]

Are the block off plates custom made by suppliers?

No block off plates are made from thin gauge metal on site. Most installers don't to do it and often claim they are unnecessary which they technically are but they greatly improve performance and safety.

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...ock-off-plate-for-a-masonry-fireplace.147679/