Big fireplace/short mantel - help choosing insert/stove

[zipping_horse]

Hi all, been learning a lot reading here. I am trying to determine the most viable options for my situation.
Tri-level house built 1975 (2200 sq ft), fireplace is in the bottom level. Masonry fireplace, exterior chimney.
The room with the fireplace is only 232 sq. ft., ceramic tile on slab floor. The ceramic tile surrounding the opening is over top the original brick.
The room is connected to the main level of the home by a short 4 step stairway and adjacent to the open stairway to the top level. Also adjacent is the utility room with HVAC.
The fireplace opening is 27.5"H x 41.5"W x @25"D.
The wood mantle surround opening is 38"H x 58"W.
Having some masonry repair to the top of the chimney and will be installing an insulated ss liner.
Looking for an insert or maybe a freestanding stove to supplement the electric central heat. I realize a mantle shield will be necessary but am not sure what units will work even with the mantle shield. I like what I have heard about the BK Princess and Woodstock stoves but am open to all options.
Here is a picture and a diagram. Hope this all made sense.

 

[Dix]

Floor plan, please (I'm a floor plan gal ;-P )


An insert on a lower level in a split can be golden.

How wide is the doorway, and how tall ?

WTH is a zipping horse?

 

[zipping_horse]

The door way is a normal interior door 28 x 80.

I guess a zipping horse is one that is running fast but I work on the weekends at a zipline course, lol

Here is an attempt at a floor plan showing the first 2 floors and a picture of the stairways.

 

[Benchwrench]

that's a lot of wood around the fireplace. Don't be surprised if you end up removing the wood trim and replace it with a stone mantle.
Usually the larger the insert, the higher the (combustible)mantle needs to be. However if it's a non combustible as in stone, it really doesn't matter.
Possibly you can use such a nice framed mantle in another room?

 

[ddddddden]

Rear vent for Woodstock stoves will fit below your lintel. I *think* there would be enough clearance for your mantel, if shielded, but I'd have to double check the specs (12 or 13" clearance from the 28" tall Fireview, IIRC). . .I also seem to recall that if you pull the stove out so that it doesn't sit directly under the mantel, then the clearance is less of an issue, and you might not need a mantel shield, again, I'd have to double check that. A slab floor with tile = good-to-go for a freestanding stove, which I would choose over an insert.

 

[ddddddden]

. . .I misread your mantel height as 41.5". I don't think a Woodstock would work sitting below a 38" mantel, but it would be doable with the stove pulled out a bit.

 

[zipping_horse]

Thanks for the input.
If I got an insert or stove with a firebox around 20" high wouldn't the 18" clearance left to the mantle be be enough with the addition of a mantle shield?
I think the clearance to sides will be ok since I have 58" to work with there.

 

[zipping_horse]

For example BK Princess insert is 23" tall and needs 22" clearance to mantle. That is 7" more than what I have but with a shield what allowance does that give you? In other words with a shield how much can you shave off the clearance to mantle distance?