Hearthstone Castleton versus MF NOVA 2

[ajamison]

This forum has been great in trying to help me replace my hearthstone homestead. I've had an installer out to look at my fireplace opening and flue setup.

I can't fit any decent size insert including the Blaze King princess. The only two freestanding stoves with fireboxes close to 2 cubic feet are the Castleton and Nova 2. I'm leaning Castleton due concerns about lack of air control and burn times in the Nova 2.

Anyone have a different opinion between the 2 models? I'm not in love with either but I need something for this winter.

 

[begreen]

The Jotul F445 and F500 are medium-sized. The F35 is a little smaller, but loads N/S and a good heater.

 

[ajamison]

I would love to get any of those Jotuls but the rear flue exits are too tall. I'm limited to 21.5" or less to center of rear flue exit.

 

[begreen]

That's really low.

 

[ajamison]

Yea. I know. That's why my options are pretty limited.

 

[begreen]

Were Woodstock's offerings checked out?

 

[ajamison]

Yes but all of their rear flue exits are too high.

 

[jbart]

I had a Nova 2 and did not care for it. I had constant issues with smoke rollout. It would also cook you out of the room as it had no way to damper it down. I sold it and bought a BK.

 

[ajamison]

Yeah I don't really like any of my options. Just figured out that the Castleton will stick too far out in front of the hearth. I may be at the point where I'm going to price what it would cost for a mason to make my fireplace opening bigger so I could fit a stove with a taller rear flue entry

 

[begreen]

What about an insert?

 

[ajamison]

Can't fit one of any decent size. I had an installer come out to measure everything.

 

[begreen]

Can't fit one of any decent size. I had an installer come out to measure everything.

Just for yucks, can you provide the full dimensions, front and back including depth, top and bottom? There may be options that they don't carry.

 

[ajamison]

See the attached pic. The width is just under 26" up front and 23 3/4 across the back. Depth is 17.5", Height is 25 3/4" but it slopes down pretty steeply towards the back.

 

[Burnin Since 1991]

See the attached pic. The width is just under 26" up front and 23 3/4 across the back. Depth is 17.5", Height is 25 3/4" but it slopes down pretty steeply towards the back.

What is the height at the very back?

 

[ajamison]

13.5"

 

[begreen]

13.5"

That looks a lot more like 23" than 13". Was that a typo?

 

[begreen]

What is the width at 13" deep? It looks like the Iron Strike S160 insert would fit, even if it took a little brick shaving with a grinder.

Striker C160 - IronStrike

Country Stoves Collection wood-burning inserts offer the ultimate in clean-burning, reliable heat to warm your home and your family. Premium-grade materials, quality craftsmanship, and sophisticated technology ensure that every Country Stoves Collection insert we make will provide you and your...

ironstrike.us.com

The Lopi Answer insert is also a possibility.

Answer NexGen-Hybrid™ Insert | Steel Wood Fireplace Inserts | Made in USA | Lopi Stoves®

Recently replaced my 20+ year old Avalon Ranier with new Lopi Answer. OMG, what a great new stove! The efficiency, heat output & petite appetite for wood is incredible!! Amazing dancing flames & warmth throughout my 1400 s.f. house is awesome. I'm a happy woodstove owner!! Bryan...

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[Burnin Since 1991]

and 23 3/4 across the back.

@begreen

 

[begreen]

@begreen

That is the width at 17.5".

 

[Burnin Since 1991]

Depth is 17.5"

I take that to mean from the front of the opening to the rear of the opening? No? L x W x H in this case, depth is the length?

Width at the front is 26" and width at the rear is 23 3/4". The height in the front of the opening is 25 3/4" and at the rear (back) the height is 13 1/2".

The sides slope in and the top slopes down.

I could be wrong. I'm married and I'm wrong a lot more than I thought possible.

 

[begreen]

Look at the picture, count the 2.75" high bricks. That's more like 23" H at the rear.

 

[ajamison]

This is correct "The sides slope in and the top slopes down."

The back height is only 13.5" until it starts to slope up towards the front.

I've been curious about the Ironstrike but the closest dealer to me is almost 4 hours away.

 

[Burnin Since 1991]

This is correct "The sides slope in and the top slopes down."

The back height is only 13.5" until it starts to slope up towards the front.

I've been curious about the Ironstrike but the closest dealer to me is almost 4 hours away.

I'm with begreen. I count 8 courses of brick at the rear of the opening. That's over 22 inches when you include the mortar. Please re-measure the opening again. Unless those bricks aren't standard thickness, it has to be more than 13 1/2.

 

[ajamison]

When I get home I'll try and get a better picture but at 13.5" is starts to slope

 

[begreen]

When I get home I'll try and get a better picture but at 13.5" is starts to slope

Ok, that's different. I can see the slope. The important dimension is what is the depth at around 19" to 21". That's a common insert height.