Wondering two basic things about inserts:
1. Are the surrounds necessary? I'm wondering if they're just for looks or if they serve an otherwise useful purpose.
2. If the surrounds are NOT necessary, then are there flat-topped models of inserts that might be good for cooking on when power is out?
From pictures it seems like some insert models might have vents right under the top that might make cooking impossible. Also some models have backs that angle down (I assume flat tops would be better). Just wondering if anyone has any actual experience successfully cooking on some specific brands/models.
My fireplace is 28"Hx30"Wx21"D. I wouldn't want the flat top of the insert to be any taller than 22" (ideally shorter) to leave clearance for fitting the pans on top. Would prefer non-catalytic and do need less than 4.5g/hr emissions. Don't need monster BTUs--in fact I'm thinking smaller might be better in this case if cooking is one of my objectives. Might have to really stoke a big insert to get it hot enough for cooking?
I posted a similar post about wood stoves and got lots of great suggestions. Turns out if I sawed some of their pretty legs a bit shorter, some of them would be good for my purpose, but I'd rather not do that to them if there are other good options. Also don't want to extend my hearth to bring them in front of the fireplace. Begreen had suggested the insert Century CW2500-I--which got me thinking about inserts--but from the Century site photos, looks like the top surface might be mostly angled down behind the typical surround.
1. Are the surrounds necessary? I'm wondering if they're just for looks or if they serve an otherwise useful purpose.
2. If the surrounds are NOT necessary, then are there flat-topped models of inserts that might be good for cooking on when power is out?
From pictures it seems like some insert models might have vents right under the top that might make cooking impossible. Also some models have backs that angle down (I assume flat tops would be better). Just wondering if anyone has any actual experience successfully cooking on some specific brands/models.
My fireplace is 28"Hx30"Wx21"D. I wouldn't want the flat top of the insert to be any taller than 22" (ideally shorter) to leave clearance for fitting the pans on top. Would prefer non-catalytic and do need less than 4.5g/hr emissions. Don't need monster BTUs--in fact I'm thinking smaller might be better in this case if cooking is one of my objectives. Might have to really stoke a big insert to get it hot enough for cooking?
I posted a similar post about wood stoves and got lots of great suggestions. Turns out if I sawed some of their pretty legs a bit shorter, some of them would be good for my purpose, but I'd rather not do that to them if there are other good options. Also don't want to extend my hearth to bring them in front of the fireplace. Begreen had suggested the insert Century CW2500-I--which got me thinking about inserts--but from the Century site photos, looks like the top surface might be mostly angled down behind the typical surround.
