Forced into insert?

[Rob711]

This was my first season burning wood seriously for suplimental/main source of heat. I think my little 1983 pre epa Vermont casting intrepid ate through 4-6 cords. I'm going to be doing a major renovation, basically adding 1000sq/ft of bedrooms and baths upstairs.The existing fireplace will remain although the room will be larger
I'm looking for something more efficient, I think I want catalytic, but needs to fit inside my small fireplace, 29" high. The intrepid sticks out about 8" past fireplace opening. We love the look of our intrepid but I think I can do better. There seems to be some inserts that would fit but I don't like the look, also don't like the idea of being dependent on a blower, also hate the look of the steel plates around inserts. Any suggestions?

 

[begreen]

There is a huge difference between 4 & 6 cords. If these are full cords then the little Intrepid must have been on continuous feed.

You have some good options. Take a look at the Ideal Steel by Woodstock. It is a radical visual departure from the Intrepid, but a good burner that can handle the 29" clearance.

 

[Rob711]

Burning since November until I ran out of acceptable wood, had At least 1 cord in yard of new to me house, 2 cords delivered. Filled bed of my 08 tundra twice, had pallet delivered in beginning of March. Hence I've learned to be responsible for my own wood supply. Now have about 6 cords split and stacked 17" length max, split small to fit in my small intrepid. Still scrounging but the reality is I probably won't be living in this house this winter if renovation starts. Just another year of seasoning!
I think my firebox is small, house is small, makes sense. Note my avatar? Pic. That's a first gen intrepid with legs cut 1.25". Firebox 28Hx32w at 12" deep its 26" wide. Hearth is 18" deep into room at ground level. I'd love to get Woodstock, sent for info, have questions about cutting legs.
I realize nothing will look as nice as my VC but if I can heat 2000 sq ft as well as the intrepid did 1000 I'd be happy. Would love top load catalytic, but realize a unicorn is tricky to pin down. And thanks begreen!

 

[begreen]

The Ideal Steel's leg height is adjustable. Flue Height to Center (Min Leg Height) is 24.5". A side-loading Fireview would also work.Rear Flue Height (center) is 22.75". It looks like the hearth may need and extension.

 

[Rob711]

Appreciate the help. I want to keep majority of whatever inside fireplace for asthetics without extending the hearth so side load won’t work.
Started looking at napoleon web site I think the 1400 would fit how I’d like but I don’t think it’s a cat stove. Can’t say why im partial to catalyst.
I’m early into this search, I’ve read more bad than good about the intrepid ii it’s a shame because I know it would fit nice.

 

[begreen]

Need full fireplace dimensions (H & W, front and rear + depth top and bottom.) in order to suggest an insert. There probably are several that would work. Could be good to see if the BlazeKing Ashford 25 fits and in non-cat the Enviro Boston would be worth a look.

 

[Highbeam]

Are you wanting an insert or a stove shoved into your fireplace?

Woodstock makes no inserts but the front load rear vent ideal steel is a great stove. They also make smaller cat stoves and this company only makes cat stoves so you’re in good hands.

The bk stoves are top vent only but they sell a couple of cat inserts.

Bk and Woodstock are the leaders in cat technology. Heating a small place and with a small stove you will surely love th ability to turn a cat stove from one of these companies down to a low burn rate for that sweet long burn.

 

[Rob711]

28"h x 32.5"w front
28 x 21 rear
23 deep at bottom
16" at top
I think/thought I wanted stove stuffed into fireplace, now as of like 2hrs ago I'm thinking insert! I was surprised how well my little stove worked. So my thinking is that stove worked well, let's get something more efficient that can heat more sqft. Don't like the fan reliance but realize there may be compromises necessary.
I think that ashford 25 would fit, thanks for your input!

 

[Highbeam]

I would rather own a stove shoved into or partially into a fireplace than an actual insert but both can work well and some inserts don’t even require that you run the fans. I hated listening to the stupid fans on my last insert! All night long! Rattles, buzzes, humming, maintenance, wires, boo. I have fans on my current stove that I use about 1% of the time for extra boost.

 

[begreen]

A well designed blower system can be pretty quiet, especially running on low speed. That said, I too don't miss it running all the time. You may find however that by turning up the thermostat a bit that you can run the insert during milder weather without the blower running. This will depend on the insert location, floorplan and house insulation. Non-flush inserts are better at this than flush inserts.

 

[Rob711]

Thanks, I'm leaning towards the ashford 25, possibly the sirocco25, but ashford is nicer looking and I believe has a cast iron jacket vs steel. Either way I don't think I've read any bad things about the whole BK line!! The fan is the only thing that worries me, I'm curious how it does heating wise without fans on. All the long burn times are exciting to hear, mainly for the overnight.
Looking forward to no longer having to cut down logs to fit in intrepid. I have about 1.5 cord of long wood that has to be cut down to fit. The "long wood" pile would just become firewood!
We are still waiting for more architect pics and permits and such, the plan is to keep exterior walls of our small cottage like home, gut interior, cut off attic roof, add three beds and two bath. I installed non insulated liner knowing this day would come. It's a year old, hopefully I can pull it, insulate, and add more length to accommodate longer chimney. Wife suggested keeping intrepid as furniture! Thanks for all the input, I will keep posted.
Rob