Deciding on wood insert

[JRJ]

Hello men! And ladies too! I've been lurking for some time and decided I would get some of your feedback.
I'm in the market for a wood burning insert to replace the Heatilator wood insert the came with our home.
We live in Iowa which can produce some very cool winters. I'm a stayathome dad with some extra time on my hands. We live on 4 acres with an abundance of Burr Oak, Honey Locust, Shagbark Hickory, ect.
I've burnt wood most my life. My question is this... With so many dealers, manufactures, ect, how did you decide on your stove? We have electric baseboard heat which is giving me all this spare time with not cutting, splitting, stacking, ect. I got our first electric bill that scared the bejesus out of me. Time for an insert! I have spent the last 10 days doing research and thought I had it narrowed down to Osburn 2000 until I called and guy says it wont fit. I got a bid from a local dealer for $4600 for a PE Super that about gave me a mild heart attack. Now I feel like I'm behind the 8 ball with all winter just around the corner. So...what would you knowledgeable fellows do? I'm open for suggestions!

 

[Huntindog1]

Whats the size of your fireplace and what model of heatlilator did you have as it may tell us what size you can take.

Are you getting a insulated flue liner to put in your masonry fire place chimney? Or does it already have one?

 

[JTP11]

Are you heart set on getting an insert? Would a stove be an option in you home layout?

I love my Jotul 550 insert but sure wish I would have been able to fit my old 500 Oslo in my new home. I got so much more out of the stove and didn't have to hear any blower fans.

 

[Huntindog1]

JTP11 has a good point if our fireplace has a ledge that you can partially sit a free standing stove into the fireplace opening and partially sit out onto the fireplace ledge that would be a really good option and you have cheaper options and more options for a free standing stove and no blowers to listen too.

You have to have good seasoned wood that has a moisture content of 20% or less for these newer type stoves.

 

[etiger2007]

As far as how I decided on the Osburn, I had bought a small insert with a 1.3 cf fire box and this was not big enough. I was a member on here while having this stove and I kept reading about how great SBI customer service was and how great their products are so I started looking at their model line-up on-line. The 2000 had everything I was looking for and for $1700.00 delivered to my door It was a no brainer for me. I have 1700sq ft and it heats 2100 sq ft. It heats my house great and my furnance hasn't ran since last Tuesday. The customer service is phenominal i had a gasket issue and they took care of it ASAP. JRJ if the 2000 wont fit they do make more that look like it at a smaller foot print. Good luck. The stainless steel liner if you have it installed by a pro might cost a $ 1,000 or more if they supply the liner. Dont forget the chimney inspection for safety.

 

[JRJ]

Im thinking an insert is my only option. I can't make out the model number of existing insert. My dimensions are
34" wide
27" high
24" deep
I plan on doing this myself with a stainless liner. Thanks guys for all the quick responses!

 

[JRJ]

The more I think about it, the more I'd like to install a free-standing unit rather than an insert. Is there any of you men that have pictures of your setup if you have this same scenario ? What Mfg/Model stove should I consider? Thanks again!

 

[etiger2007]

The Jotul Oslo seems to be a fan favorite for a hearth free stander

 

[JTP11]

Speaking from experience, the Jotul 500 Oslo is a performer. And quiet! Lol

 

[clemsonfor]

Im thinking an insert is my only option. I can't make out the model number of existing insert. My dimensions are
34" wide
27" high
24" deep
I plan on doing this myself with a stainless liner. Thanks guys for all the quick responses!

I just put a free stander into my farm fireplace. I got a cheaper vogelzang highlander. I had 32"s high to work with, I had to chop 3"s off to get clearance to fit it into the opening to have a straight shot up the chimney. I think I could of cut another 2-3"s off the base and still had it work but that would be close in your set up. Look at many of these stoves and don't be afraid to mod something. Whether it means busting bricks out in the back or to mod the stove although I take no responsibility for this!! I know there is a certain height for clearance issues etc, but when its sitting in a fireplace that was designed to have a FIRE on the same surface its not hurting anything, the middle section of that stove is just sheet metal that holds the stove in the air. I just took the angle grinder after I traced out 3"s down around it and moved the mounting holes down 3"s as well. All was well and looks great and functions like new.

 

[JRJ]

I just put a free stander into my farm fireplace. I got a cheaper vogelzang highlander. I had 32"s high to work with, I had to chop 3"s off to get clearance to fit it into the opening to have a straight shot up the chimney. I think I could of cut another 2-3"s off the base and still had it work but that would be close in your set up. Look at many of these stoves and don't be afraid to mod something. Whether it means busting bricks out in the back or to mod the stove although I take no responsibility for this!! I know there is a certain height for clearance issues etc, but when its sitting in a fireplace that was designed to have a FIRE on the same surface its not hurting anything, the middle section of that stove is just sheet metal that holds the stove in the air. I just took the angle grinder after I traced out 3"s down around it and moved the mounting holes down 3"s as well. All was well and looks great and functions like new.

I like your thinking! Have any pics?

 

[clemsonfor]

I will get them this weekend when at the farm. It is a vogelzang highlander, looks just like the one u see at northerntool website. I paid $500 for it. But any pedestal stove like it that can be shortened would work.

My main residence has an insert in the fireplace.

 

[dafattkidd]

JRJ, welcome to the forum. Maybe I missed it in one of your previous posts, what's the square footage of the space you're looking to heat?

 

[dafattkidd]

Also, looking at the specs you provided and Osburn's specs on the 2000, (broken link removed to http://www.osburn-mfg.com/en/heaters/model-OB02011-description)

looks like it would fit. In fact you could get a 2400 in there. That said, although I have an insert and love it, if I could do a freestander I would. It It just doesn't work with my layout.

 

[kingquad]

Enviro 1700

 

[JRJ]

JRJ, welcome to the forum. Maybe I missed it in one of your previous posts, what's the square footage of the space you're looking to heat?

Hey there! I'm not sure the style of the house but the living room, stairway and upper 4 bedrooms are all open. I'm looking at 2200 sq. With 18' ceiling height.

 

[JRJ]

Also, looking at the specs you provided and Osburn's specs on the 2000, (broken link removed to http://www.osburn-mfg.com/en/heaters/model-OB02011-description)

looks like it would fit. In fact you could get a 2400 in there. That said, although I have an insert and love it, if I could do a freestander I would. It It just doesn't work with my layout.

That's what I thought! So I called osburn and the rep said that at 17" back, I don't have the width. I'm on the fence with tearing out the brick ledge but my wife doesn't think that's a good idea

 

[JRJ]

Also another topic I would like to discuss...are any of you running off an outside air supply? I have been contemplating this for a few years but never had the brass to do it.

 

[dafattkidd]

That's what I thought! So I called osburn and the rep said that at 17" back, I don't have the width. I'm on the fence with tearing out the brick ledge but my wife doesn't think that's a good idea

Got it. So your fireplace tapers.

 

[kingquad]

Did you check out the Enviro? It seems to do well in these types of installs.

 

[JRJ]

Got it. So your fireplace tapers.

Exactly. I'm thinking of tearing out the existing hearth to give me more options.

 

[dafattkidd]

Well if you're going to take that rout than you can basically put whatever you want there. If you're looking for a more simple solution there are some units that some work in that fireplace.

If I had time and a flexible budget I would rebuild that hearth to accept a beautiful freestander. I have neither time, nor much of a budget so a I jammed the largest insert I could afford in my fireplace and I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[JRJ]

Did you check out the Enviro? It seems to do well in these types of installs.

I did and i like! I think its between that and the Osburn 2300.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Hey there! I'm not sure the style of the house but the living room, stairway and upper 4 bedrooms are all open. I'm looking at 2200 sq. With 18' ceiling height.

2,200 sq ft and 18' ceilings, go with a 3 cu ft firebox stove.

Pacific Energy Summit if you have to go with an insert. The Osburn 2400 Insert would also work.

The Enviro is a smaller stove (2.5 cu ft). Go larger.

 

[Pierre902]

Looks like a Napoleon 1402 would fit your dimensions. I found this link with the manual and specs. I recently installed and am burning one. I am very happy with it. (broken link removed to http://www.rockfordchimneysupply.com/napoleon1402.php)