Hi everyone. I purchased a home that is built with one exterior chimney that measures about 18 ft. I have a Buckstove 91 insert.
The owner before me had only set the insert into the opening of the fireplaces and installed the metal surround. I take it he only used it for the occasional fire maybe during the holidays or something. It was venting directly into the fireplace with no liner! In any case it was not installed correctly OR to be used as a primary heat source.
I, on the other hand took it a step further since I grew up with wood heat. I took to these forums, learned as much as I could then, with help of a friend, removed the insert (heavy!), cleaned the chimney, done some demolition and cutting of the damper etc etc. and installed a new 8 inch insulated liner with a top plate and chimney cap.
I think it was easier doing all the other work than trying to get a decent fit of the liner to the insert. Hindsight tells me I should have ordered a fitting that would have angled the appliance connector about 20 degrees. I had cut the damper and chipped several brick away, but, in the end we got it to work and I now have a very well burning stove that's putting out a lot of heat.
Due to the above mentioned difficulty on the fitting, I did not install a block off plate above the insert. As much as I was having to move and try to flex the liner to get it to attach to the insert - I couldn't see trying to make a block off plate and get it to work.
My question is this: I've researched block off plates on the forum and it seems they are beneficial. Can I really expect a great increase in heat, if later on I decide to pull the insert out and install one? I had considered perhaps next year during the warm season to pull it and install a block off plate and also insulate with Roxull around the sides and back of the insert opening. Has anyone ever installed a block off plate after they installed their liner? If so, what's your thoughts on the results? Thanks for the input!
The owner before me had only set the insert into the opening of the fireplaces and installed the metal surround. I take it he only used it for the occasional fire maybe during the holidays or something. It was venting directly into the fireplace with no liner! In any case it was not installed correctly OR to be used as a primary heat source.
I, on the other hand took it a step further since I grew up with wood heat. I took to these forums, learned as much as I could then, with help of a friend, removed the insert (heavy!), cleaned the chimney, done some demolition and cutting of the damper etc etc. and installed a new 8 inch insulated liner with a top plate and chimney cap.
I think it was easier doing all the other work than trying to get a decent fit of the liner to the insert. Hindsight tells me I should have ordered a fitting that would have angled the appliance connector about 20 degrees. I had cut the damper and chipped several brick away, but, in the end we got it to work and I now have a very well burning stove that's putting out a lot of heat.
Due to the above mentioned difficulty on the fitting, I did not install a block off plate above the insert. As much as I was having to move and try to flex the liner to get it to attach to the insert - I couldn't see trying to make a block off plate and get it to work.
My question is this: I've researched block off plates on the forum and it seems they are beneficial. Can I really expect a great increase in heat, if later on I decide to pull the insert out and install one? I had considered perhaps next year during the warm season to pull it and install a block off plate and also insulate with Roxull around the sides and back of the insert opening. Has anyone ever installed a block off plate after they installed their liner? If so, what's your thoughts on the results? Thanks for the input!
