enviro install removing bricks?

[toyotarider]

Hello all. My wife and i just moved into a home with a fireplace and oil boiler. To offset oil cost we are installing an insert. We decided on a flush mount and got an enviro cabello 1700. To be installed on nov 18th. Dealer sold me the 1700 even though my fire place depth now is 19 inches and the 1700 need a little over 22 inches. I wanted the 1700 over the 1200. He told me he can remove brick in rear to fit it. Does this seem right? I know they can be made for zero clearance so im guessing fire brick is not needed behind an insert. Thanks. I got a great deal on the 1700 since he had overstock. The 1200 would have run me a few hundred more.

 

[toyotarider]

Talked to installer again and he assured me we can chip out enough brick to fit it.

 

[Grisu]

That sounds like a good deal if you can get a 1700 for less than a 1200. The 1700 is also a well-liked heater here. However, modifying the fireplace will most likely make it unusable for any other use. Please consider this if you may sell the house some time in the future. There are certainly other inserts that would be ok with 18" depth although it may get tricky if you insist on a flush-mount. Are you getting an insulated liner and a block-off plate? https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/make-a-damper-sealing-block-off-plate/

How is your wood supply? Did you get enough wood with less than 20% internal moisture content.

 

[toyotarider]

I need to go flush mount due to size of my flush hearth i got the stove the surround the insulated smooth wall liner and block off plate installed for 3600 out the door. Few shops wanted over 4500 for 1200. Crazy. I will prob never burn regular fireplace again and i hope to never sell the house.

 

[toyotarider]

Local lumber yard sold me 5 ton of slab wood for 170 and 5 ton split for 270. I have about 10 maple and oaks that will be cut up from my yard this year. Next year ill have alot of wood. I also get free oak 4x4 posts that my works vendors ship 10k pound steel coils on.

 

[toyotarider]

So i took out a few fire brick and i will have enough clearance installer told me sing its a masonary fireplace its fine to remove the brick