Second Opinions - Wood Insert and Cast Iron Fireplace

[osecen]

Hello Everyone,

I have a situation similar to some of the people in this thread, bought a house in December 2017 in Indiana, brought a chimney sweeper and I was told I need a new chimney liner and a chimney cap and to convert open gas fireplace to wood burning one is a total of $3800. I understand my options are:

1) doing nothing (i.e., continuing to not use the fireplace)

Convert the gas fireplace to a wood burning fireplace AND:

2a) having a wood burning insert installed with a smaller stainless steel liner

2b) having a larger stainless steel liner installed so the existing open hearth fireplace can be used

My questions are:

If I choose 2a, how will I drop the liner through the damper? Damper opening is too small.

Can I leave the gas burner inside to startup the fire and continue to use for wood burning?

Here are the pictures of the chimney and fireplace:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HAbXIAkvMly-4VTPtyNdkzEUy5yF-Zl_

Thanks,
Onder

 

[begreen]

The damper gets removed or cut to clear the liner. If an insert is put in the gas gets capped off or removed.

 

[Blazingembers7749]

The damper does get removed but that is some sort of heat form and usually some of the back wall will need to be removed in order to fit a standard 6inch liner thru without pinching it from bending it into a s shape.

 

[Blazingembers7749]

Similar to this. Just make sure to follow manufactures instructions and clearance requirements. If you have to remove the entire heatform by cutting it into managable pieces and rebuild a firebox before installing an insert.

 

[bholler]

Similar to this. Just make sure to follow manufactures instructions and clearance requirements. If you have to remove the entire heatform by cutting it into managable pieces and rebuild a firebox before installing an insert.

You dont nessecarily have to rebuild anything as long as there is enough masonry left to meet code.

 

[Blazingembers7749]

Agreed