Fireplace Xtrordinair insert install.

[Billybonfire]

I will check the noise tonight with the air down. Strong draft is a good thing right?

Last night was really cool. We had our first after break in fire and the whole family sat around and watched the flames dance around. It is not even that cold right now, but I had to do another fire just for the heck of it.

Hello again Freddy, yes strong draft is a good thing so long a the stove is tight and you can close it down ok, sure yours will be fine as its a new installation and looks very well done.
Nice to hear you're enjoying the new fire, nothing better than comming in from a cold winters day to a real fire .

 

[etiger2007]

I will check the noise tonight with the air down. Strong draft is a good thing right?

Last night was really cool. We had our first after break in fire and the whole family sat around and watched the flames dance around. It is not even that cold right now, but I had to do another fire just for the heck of it.

Somebody's going to get hooked!

 

[maverick06]

great install, exact same as my install! Looks perfect. we are now 5 or 6 yeras into it, its working just great. Just a little maintenance, gaskets (this year), bypassed the thermostat on it (5 years ago), replaced a cracked firebrick (2 years ago). thats it!

Also burns pretty clean, I go through about 2-3 cords a year and only need to sweep it at the end of the season.

 

[freddypd]

great install, exact same as my install! Looks perfect. we are now 5 or 6 yeras into it, its working just great. Just a little maintenance, gaskets (this year), bypassed the thermostat on it (5 years ago), replaced a cracked firebrick (2 years ago). thats it!

I noticed that it took about 40-45 minutes for the blower to kick on. Is that why you bypassed the thermostat? I gotta do a search on the forum about that.

Also burns pretty clean, I go through about 2-3 cords a year and only need to sweep it at the end of the season.

I did notice my ash building up. Is it OK to just light fires right on top? I thought I would have to clean the ash every few days.

 

[raybonz]

I noticed that it took about 40-45 minutes for the blower to kick on. Is that why you bypassed the thermostat? I gotta do a search on the forum about that.



I did notice my ash building up. Is it OK to just light fires right on top? I thought I would have to clean the ash every few days.

Fred it is normal that the stove has to heat up before the blower turns on.. My stove is designed to do this as well. I always keep some ash in my firebox and shovel out if it gets too full but always leave a layer of ash. This actually makes the stove run better and will also help protect the stove bottom.. Just relax and burn away

Ray

 

[freddypd]

Love the install, I too sealed up my appliance connector and ss liner with cement never an issue. I think I will insulate the top portion of my liner before it gets too cold , how much of yours did he insulate?

The installer put insulation at the top of the chimney (I did not inspect that, but believe that is what he did) He also put a layer of insulation where the damper would be above the stove, probably about 8" thick? He also put a piece of insulation between the unit and the blower cord. I doubt that was necessary, but I am sure it doesn't hurt.

 

[raybonz]

Sounds like a quality install Freddy!

Ray

 

[wacnstac]

Start saving your money for new catalysts, you'll need it. I've cracked several and no it wasn't from over firing. Would love to find a steel one as opposed to ceramic.

 

[maverick06]

Mine would take well over an hour to turn on, hour and half to 2 hours. I think something was wrong with it. now I just watch the temps and turn the blower on when its ready. Search for iit, there are lots of threads about it, i am vocal. if you arent an idiot and it annoys you, bypass it. Hopefully they have made it better in the past few years since i bought mine.

The stove burns a lot better with about an inch of ash on the bottom, you can make a little channel in the center to get air everywhere. You will like the stove.

no comment on the cat (mine isnt one), didnt even know they made a cat version of it.

 

[freddypd]

Do any of you guys with the xtrordinair's use thermometers? If so what did you buy and where did you put them?

 

[rideau]

Start saving your money for new catalysts, you'll need it. I've cracked several and no it wasn't from over firing. Would love to find a steel one as opposed to ceramic.

Condar has steel replacement cats for almost everything...

 

[raybonz]

Start saving your money for new catalysts, you'll need it. I've cracked several and no it wasn't from over firing. Would love to find a steel one as opposed to ceramic.

Cats shouldn't failing that way.. Adding wet wood to a hot stove can crack a cat as will flame impingement. I burned a cat stove for 20 yrs. and never shattered a cat but did a little cracking on a few but it didn't affect the cat operation..Generally I got 6+ years from my cats..

Ray

 

[freddypd]

I had my first overnight burn! The weather was pretty mild last night but we decided to have a fire anyway. I loaded the box up about 3/4, got it good and going and put the air down all the way at about 10 PM. I shut the blower off because it was so mild. Woke up at 6 AM and had some coals. I raked them forward. (not sure why, I think I read it here though) I turned on the blower to check and found the box was still hot enough to run the blower. The room was also really warm even with the blower off all night which surprises me. I didn't think inserts gave off that much heat with the blower off. I put 1 very seasoned piece of wood in with some dried twigs and cracked the door open for a few minutes. It started again with not much effort! It is really mild here now so I will let this fire burn itself out.

The only problem was, when I woke up the glass was almost completely black. I guess the "seasoned" wood I had delivered was not so seasoned. Hopefully I am not loading the chimney liner with creosote.

 

[James02]

The only problem was, when I woke up the glass was almost completely black. I guess the "seasoned" wood I had delivered was not so seasoned. Hopefully I am not loading the chimney liner with creosote.[/quote]

You'll get that this time of year with the mild weather....

 

[maverick06]

From my expirance and reading, the xtrordinair easily gets its glass blackened. i dont bother cleaning mine anymore, it just gets covered too fast. I dont burn slowly, wood is all over a year C/S/S, gaskets have been from new to used to new again. Just the way the stove is, dont worry about it.

Also, from my expirance, you get almost no real heat out of it without the blower on. Maybe enough for this mild weather, but not enough for anything meaningful. Go through a 24 hour power outage in january and you will learn that it doesnt put out any meaningful heat, inverters and car batteries arent enough for anything more than an hour or so, and you will go buy a generator.

Feel free to ignore my expirance, doesnt effect me, but you will just learn the hard way.

 

[raybonz]

Appears these are catalytic inserts and yes the windows tend to blacken on a long slow burn. If you burn at a medium to high level I would think the airwash system should keep the glass clearer. At least it does on 99% of other modern EPA wood burners.

Ray

 

[wacnstac]

From my expirance and reading, the xtrordinair easily gets its glass blackened. i dont bother cleaning mine anymore, it just gets covered too fast. I dont burn slowly, wood is all over a year C/S/S, gaskets have been from new to used to new again. Just the way the stove is, dont worry about it.

Also, from my expirance, you get almost no real heat out of it without the blower on. Maybe enough for this mild weather, but not enough for anything meaningful. Go through a 24 hour power outage in january and you will learn that it doesnt put out any meaningful heat, inverters and car batteries arent enough for anything more than an hour or so, and you will go buy a generator.

Feel free to ignore my expirance, doesnt effect me, but you will just learn the hard way.

Yeppers.

 

[Machria]

Fred,
What installer did you use, and where did you buy your unit? I am about to pul the trigger on a freestanding unit by Enerzone from a place in Bohemia, on Vetts hwy, also on LI. I'm out in Brookhaven Hamlet.

"dypd" ? Trying to figure out what PD dept that is??

 

[freddypd]

I used King of Hearths in P.J. I would recommend him. He did work with me on price a little bit.

My first choice was actually Kindlewood on vets in Bohemia. He had a GREAT price but then flaked out. He wouldn't return my calls for a while then eventually called and said he wasn't going to sell FPX anymore. He may be going through some financial issues?? If you are thinking of using the same guy, good luck. I am sure it will work out. Maybe call Enerzone and see if they are an authorized dealer?

Sleepy Hollow in Deer Park was also on my short list. I think they have been in the business for a very long time. The salesman Bart is very knowledgeable and not pushy.

If I were to do it again I would get a free standing stove. I really like the FPX, but you need to have power for the blower to run, which can be noisy at times.

Hope it helps.

 

[maverick06]

AGREED! I would prefer a free standing stove! the blower is needed, without it you get just about no heat.

BUT i had no options, this looks great in my fireplace and I really dont have a house that can accommodate a free standing stove. So this works, but i would prefer a free standing stove.

 

[A-Team]

Freddypd, that looks awesome. That is exactly what my wife and I are looking to do. I live about tem minutes away from where you bought your insert. I hope you dont mind, I started a onversations with you to pick your brain. Paul

 

[Helena]

Freddypd, that looks awesome. That is exactly what my wife and I are looking to do. I live about tem minutes away from where you bought your insert. I hope you dont mind, I started a onversations with you to pick your brain. Paul

I used King of Hearths in P.J. I would recommend him. He did work with me on price a little bit.

My first choice was actually Kindlewood on vets in Bohemia. He had a GREAT price but then flaked out. He wouldn't return my calls for a while then eventually called and said he wasn't going to sell FPX anymore. He may be going through some financial issues?? If you are thinking of using the same guy, good luck. I am sure it will work out. Maybe call Enerzone and see if they are an authorized dealer?

Sleepy Hollow in Deer Park was also on my short list. I think they have been in the business for a very long time. The salesman Bart is very knowledgeable and not pushy.

If I were to do it again I would get a free standing stove. I really like the FPX, but you need to have power for the blower to run, which can be noisy at times.

Hope it helps.

I live 5 mins from PJ and I am considering purchasing this stove..Are you still happy with it? does it put out enough heat? Have you had any problems with it?

 

[gholler]

You mention you paid extra for smooth liner, but in the photo's that looks like standard flex liner, was the inside of that liner smooth?

The heavy wall liners in this construction are considered smooth wall vs. the correated liners. Most are .015 thick. There is now a .010. in the same construction that is also considered smooth wall.
The 015. is very durable have seen some in use for twenty five years.

 

[gholler]

I will check the noise tonight with the air down. Strong draft is a good thing right?

Last night was really cool. We had our first after break in fire and the whole family sat around and watched the flames dance around. It is not even that cold right now, but I had to do another fire just for the heck of it.

I have had inserts whistle at the door or at the inlet vent. Your installer should be able to solve the problem. This is p[art of what you paid for.

 

[begreen]

Are you hearing the whistling all the time or with the air control wide open, or only when it is closed?