How much can an insert be moved without disconnecting it from the steel liner?

[ijustwanttoburnthings]

I have a wood burning insert that was installed in what was formerly an open hearth fireplace, venting through a 22-foot stainless steel flex liner. For reasons I'll explain below if you're truly interested, I need to access the ash dump, which is completely covered by the insert. What I'm wondering is how much "play" is in the flex liner...will it be okay to move the insert up 4-5 inches to access the ash dump without disconnecting it? Or, should I disconnect the liner from the insert first, and re-connect it later?

Thanks!

Backstory: the wife is extremely displeased with the aesthetics of the blower's electrical power cord being visible. I (mistakenly) mentioned that I'd probably be able to run electrical through the ash pit and install an outlet inside the firebox. I figured I'd use some 1/2 inch spacers between the floor and the insert to create some clearance for the romex (my dear spouse doesn't seem to think a 1/2 inch gap beneath the insert would look too bad... ), but I'd like some more room than that while I'm working and was hoping to lift the insert and slide some 4" concrete blocks underneath it. Hence my question about whether raising the insert by 4-5" necessitates disconnecting it first.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Not being an expert, but I have moved my stove a few times. Disconnect first, much less trouble than thinking: "What was that noise?"

 

[jetsam]

Hopefully they left you enough slack that you can pull the insert out enough to reach the liner connection, but ya never know!

I'd be interested in hearing from one of the pros on this: How do you leave enough slack to pull out the insert but also ensure it doesn't kink when pushed in?

 

[bholler]

Hopefully they left you enough slack that you can pull the insert out enough to reach the liner connection, but ya never know!

I'd be interested in hearing from one of the pros on this: How do you leave enough slack to pull out the insert but also ensure it doesn't kink when pushed in?

I dont leave enough slack for it to be pulled out. I leave no slack i set the liner down onto the insert.

 

[bholler]

I have a wood burning insert that was installed in what was formerly an open hearth fireplace, venting through a 22-foot stainless steel flex liner. For reasons I'll explain below if you're truly interested, I need to access the ash dump, which is completely covered by the insert. What I'm wondering is how much "play" is in the flex liner...will it be okay to move the insert up 4-5 inches to access the ash dump without disconnecting it? Or, should I disconnect the liner from the insert first, and re-connect it later?

Thanks!

Backstory: the wife is extremely displeased with the aesthetics of the blower's electrical power cord being visible. I (mistakenly) mentioned that I'd probably be able to run electrical through the ash pit and install an outlet inside the firebox. I figured I'd use some 1/2 inch spacers between the floor and the insert to create some clearance for the romex (my dear spouse doesn't seem to think a 1/2 inch gap beneath the insert would look too bad... ), but I'd like some more room than that while I'm working and was hoping to lift the insert and slide some 4" concrete blocks underneath it. Hence my question about whether raising the insert by 4-5" necessitates disconnecting it first.

An outlet in the firebox is against code. It has been done many times and i never heard of any issues but technically it isnt allowed.

 

[Bad LP]

I dropped my power cord down into the ash pit and drilled a hole thru a joint in the concrete block. Entered the back of a 4X4 steel box with the cord. The box is switched and has an outlet "just because" and is fed off my generator panel.

 

[ijustwanttoburnthings]

An outlet in the firebox is against code. It has been done many times and i never heard of any issues but technically it isnt allowed.

Are you an electrician?

 

[bholler]

Are you an electrician?

No a chimney sweep

 

[ijustwanttoburnthings]

No a chimney sweep

Which code prohibits receptacles in the firebox? I’ve been told that it’s fine. I’m not planning to run any conduit, though, which I could see being sn issue.

 

[bholler]

Which code prohibits receptacles in the firebox? I’ve been told that it’s fine. I’m not planning to run any conduit, though, which I could see being sn issue.

I dont know the number off hand but appliances need to be plugged into an outlet in the same room. I have discussed it with several code officials and stove manufacturers and they all agree you cant do it. There is also a question of the heat capacity of the wire and outlet but i am not an electrician so i dont know enough to get into that.

 

[ijustwanttoburnthings]

I dont know the number off hand but appliances need to be plugged into an outlet in the same room. I have discussed it with several code officials and stove manufacturers and they all agree you cant do it. There is also a question of the heat capacity of the wire and outlet but i am not an electrician so i dont know enough to get into that.

Ahh—I see where we may be confusing each other...I’m not talking about running the power cord from the insert down through the ash pit, but running romex UP through the ash pit to an outlet box that I’ll mount inside the firebox and plugging the insert into that outlet. So, the appliance would be in the same room as the outlet (and only a few inches apart, at that). I can definitely see why you wouldn’t want loose appliance cords going through walls and floors, but that’s not the case here.

Not sure about the heat tolerance, but I can’t see that being an issue.

 

[bholler]

Ahh—I see where we may be confusing each other...I’m not talking about running the power cord from the insert down through the ash pit, but running romex UP through the ash pit to an outlet box that I’ll mount inside the firebox and plugging the insert into that outlet. So, the appliance would be in the same room as the outlet (and only a few inches apart, at that). I can definitely see why you wouldn’t want loose appliance cords going through walls and floors, but that’s not the case here.

Not sure about the heat tolerance, but I can’t see that being an issue.

No i understood that. And it is not allowed. By doing that it is not accessible from in the room. I and most i have talked about it with agree it is silly because you could plug it in behind a bookcase and be compliant yet just as inaccessible. But that is the code.

 

[jetsam]

I drilled a hole in a mortar joint and ran 14/2 AC into the fireplace. Metal handybox just sitting on the floor of the fireplace behind the Roxul, on a home run to the panel.

I was initially concerned about the face of the wiring device itself melting, but if it got that hot back there the plastic cord coming out of the unit and its little plastic bushing would melt too, so obviously it doesn't.

When we sell the house I'll slap a tablespoon of mortar in that hole and have a nice marketable open fireplace. :/