Choosing between insert and stove inside fireplace

[Carol Lynn]

I have a corner fireplace, in the middle of a ranch home. Roof is flat where chimney is. Chimney stack is approximately 3-4 feet above roof line. No attic. Crawl under home. 1500 square foot home. I’m in Michigan. 5 acres wooded land. I’d like a back up power out heat source or switching to every day heat source. Looking for long burn and ability to heat house.

I looked at Lopi large insert next gen hybrid.

I have seen that the Blaze King stove rather than insert heats long, uses less wood, and will heat well without using power - which I love.

I do like the idea of using the top of a stove to heat food if needed as well.

What are your opinions please?

I’m open to lowering the base of the fireplace if needed.

It’s currently a fully functioning safe fireplace.

 

[stoveliker]

Are you sure the fireplace can handle the weight of the chimney when you change the base?

To me it would either be fully demolishing the chimney, put a stove pipe, ceiling support box and class A in with a stove, or put an insert in and add a side if needed because the insert may look ugly there.

I would not put a stove in that.

Given the cost of demo, I'd put an insert and insulated liner in.

Regarding BKs the inserts have the same hour/firebox ratio, i.e. they burn as long per lbs wood loaded. Their firebox is smaller than of the 30 models (and shaped less ideal for full loading).

 

[begreen]

Yes, give up on the idea of a freestanding BK stove, they are only top-vented. You can't come off the flue collar with an elbow and then to another 90º to connect to a liner. The suggestion of putting in a BK or Kuma or similar insert is a good one. It can be installed without a front surrounding shroud.

 

[Carol Lynn]

Yes, give up on the idea of a freestanding BK stove, they are only top-vented. You can't come off the flue collar with an elbow and then to another 90º to connect to a liner. The suggestion of putting in a BK or Kuma or similar insert is a good one. It can be installed without a front surrounding shroud.

Are you saying a free standing stove won’t be able to sit inside the box?

 

[stoveliker]

26" is too low indeed.
The Ashford 20 is 29-3/4" tall.

 

[bholler]

Are you saying a free standing stove won’t be able to sit inside the box?

Even if you find one that physically fits stoves don't have the full convective jacket to direct the heat out into the room like inserts do.

 

[begreen]

Are you saying a free standing stove won’t be able to sit inside the box?

Correct for BK stoves. There are other contemporary stoves that can be installed without a pedestal like the Supreme Novo series.

 

[stoveliker]

But you'll need a fan to move the heat from the firebox into the room anyway.

Then why not use an insert...?

 

[EbS-P]

Find an insert that looks ok with no surround. Here is mine. Dolet 1800i.

 

[kborndale]

Inserts are stoves that are purposely built to go in a fireplace. I would use what is made for the application.

 

[Carol Lynn]

But you'll need a fan to move the heat from the firebox into the room anyway.

Then why not use an insert...?

I’m trying to find what will heat the house with no power and long burn times. I have a wooded 5 acres also.

 

[stoveliker]

My point is this: If you stick a stove in a hollow like that you need a fan anyway.

Then an insert is better.

Also "the house" is a very different thing than "the room and maybe the next". This depends a lot on the layout and convective paths you can create.

 

[all night moe]

I’m trying to find what will heat the house with no power and long burn times. I have a wooded 5 acres also.

Then you need a free standing stove. Which, like stated, is not compatible with your existing setup.
Either, A. Install a class A chimney and hearth in a different spot,
or, B. Rip out existing fireplace and then, option A.

A. alone is your cheapest route.

 

[Wisco Shepherd]

I have a wooded 5 acres also.

On this note, do you already have split wood on hand? The BK or Kuma will not run well on wet wood.

 

[EbS-P]

I’m trying to find what will heat the house with no power and long burn times. I have a wooded 5 acres also.

Or you need a backup power solution. A 1500w invert generator 5 gallons of gas and two long extension cords. Or can do what my dad did and wire a generator outlet in. It’s dead until he plugs an extension cord under the porch into a generator. There are lots of battery backup system with capacities to run a blower on low for as many hours as you want to pay for.

Then you need a free standing stove. Which, like stated, is not compatible with your existing setup.
Either, A. Install a class A chimney and hearth in a different spot,
or, B. Rip out existing fireplace and then, option A.

A. alone is your cheapest route.

I don’t think you NEED a stove in a different location. Your expectations just need to fit the the limitations of what ever choice you make.

An insert with no blower will keep the house warmer than a fireplace. The room that it’s installed in will be warm.

 

[Carol Lynn]

On this note, do you already have split wood on hand? The BK or Kuma will not run well on wet wood.

Yes, 2 year dry wood under a shingled lean to surrounded on three sides with cinder block.

 

[VirginiaIron]

I have a corner fireplace, in the middle of a ranch home. Roof is flat where chimney is. Chimney stack is approximately 3-4 feet above roof line. No attic. Crawl under home. 1500 square foot home. I’m in Michigan. 5 acres wooded land. I’d like a back up power out heat source or switching to every day heat source. Looking for long burn and ability to heat house.

I looked at Lopi large insert next gen hybrid.

I have seen that the Blaze King stove rather than insert heats long, uses less wood, and will heat well without using power - which I love.

I do like the idea of using the top of a stove to heat food if needed as well.

What are your opinions please?

I’m open to lowering the base of the fireplace if needed.

It’s currently a fully functioning safe fireplace.

We have an open home and had an insert and the heat output was poor unless we kept it rolling ***AND*** had power for the blower and power to circulate in the house. We transitioned to a free standing stove with an insulated chimney liner. The difference in heat output improvement is shocking and we do not need power to capture the heat- power is needed, however to distribute the heat throughout the home for increased comfort levels- but if someone is home during the power outage, the stove can be stoked at lower levels and maintain comfort. And we can cook on it also.
I recommend a free standing stove. Depending on your situation, an insulated liner is worth the investment.

 

[Carol Lynn]

I keep hearing this, that freestanding is better. I’m not sure what to do.

 

[all night moe]

I keep hearing this, that freestanding is better. I’m not sure what to do.

Freestanding in the room is better then freestanding in a fireplace.

 

[bholler]

I keep hearing this, that freestanding is better. I’m not sure what to do.

Free standing is better when out in the open. An insert is generally better in a fireplace

 

[VirginiaIron]

I keep hearing this, that freestanding is better. I’m not sure what to do.

I will encourage you to perform your own research, because the following is just one of many opinions. With a free standing stove, all radiant heat goes into the living space and does not necessarily require an electrical fan, but this installation takes up additional space and usually requires additional clearances to combustibles. An insert into a bonafied [masonry] fireplace usually can utilize pre-existing clearances to combustibles. Inserts with a front shroud (most common) have a radiant heat that is typically limited to the front of the stove and usually requires an electric fan to capture and force the remaining heat into the living space. Some people install a free standing stove into the open cavity of the fireplace, IMO this is the best option if you can find a suitable stove for the fireplace area, similarly this installation requires closing off the chimney and may be able to use existing clearances to combustibles.

 

[stoveliker]

So if you can't have a freestanding actually stand free, use an insert. Best to use either in the way they were meant to be used, allowing their design to work best for you.

While it can be done differently I always tell my kids to use the things for the use they were designed. I.e. use a screwdriver to drive screws, not as a prybar.

 

[VirginiaIron]

It is always best to follow directions and use an item for it's intended purpose. But since we're just brain storming here, your fireplace wood be beautiful with a two or three sided glass stove that you could heat your home and cook on. First verify the BTUH needed to heat or supplement your home heat system.
I like the above post with the open insert; the only thing I would add is $6 of high heat paint the the venting system.

Your inspection is for an insert, does the inspector consider your plans for a stove and equivalent scenario?
I love your idea of removing the base to add height.
There are more ornate stoves on the market, but something like this example might add a refined strength to the appearance of your vintage masonry. Just an idea to help your mind wander in directions that can help your situation.