Insert Confused

[doc623]

Greetings.
I am new to this site as I just found it.
I'm sure this has been covered numerous times.
I have some searches here and other places. Which beings up I did find a place here to search reviews but can't find it again.
I am looking to supplement my current forced air gas furnace.
The main concern is gathering information for a fireplace insert.
Here is the information on the existing:
Home is brick construction; 2 story; and built new 15 years ago.
approx 2500 feet on the ground floor.
Fireplace is brick with a metal insert that was build in when the house was first built and it has circulating fans and a masonry chimney; with damper and bi-fold glass doors. And a brick hearth.
I will have to measure the fireplace and hearth to be accurate and that can be done if needed for this discussion.

I am looking for a wod or wood and coal fireplace insert that has a surface that would extend out in to the room to use for cooking in case of a power failure; as happened before.

I have access to seasoned wood. I have access to coal.

Or do I want a stove? Or would you suggest a stove and if so which one?

You see some of the questions and my confusion.

Any help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[doc623]

No thoughts.
No answers?
Maybe I did not ask corectly?

 

[Jags]

No thoughts.
No answers?
Maybe I did not ask corectly?

This is the slow season, be patient, some of the wiser insert guys will be along.

 

[begreen]

doc, can you post some dimensions to work off of and maybe a picture? How large is the room that the insert would be in? Have you considered putting in a freestanding stove in front of the fireplace for greater heat?

 

[Adios Pantalones]

"I am looking for a wod or wood and coal fireplace insert that has a surface that would extend out in to the room to use for cooking in case of a power failure; as happened before. "

Look at hearth stoves.

 

[fossil]

I'm not an insert guy, but I've never heard of an insert with a cooking surface. All the insert installations I've seen have very little of anything extending out of the fireplace. As Adios says, a hearth stove would do the trick, but the feasibility of that depends a lot on the dimensions of your hearth...you may find that you need to extend it or otherwise provide additional floor protection to achieve the required front clearance from combustibles (18", I do believe). Rick

 

[begreen]

There are some, ie: Regency makes one, but the question is whether a) it fits and b) is it legal?

(broken link removed to http://www.regency-fire.com/Wood/Inserts/H2100/index.php)

 

[fossil]

Well, there ya go...now I've heard of one. Thanks for the link, BG. Rick

 

[zzr7ky]

Hi -

I shared your thought. After lots of looking, and burning several inserts at relatives homes... I installed a stove in the hearth opening and added about 20" of marble in front of the hearth. It heats better than the inserts, has no fan noise, and cooks stews, etc when called on. It also heats 2K square feet just fine.

Good luck in you r search,
Mike

 

[doc623]

I can supply room dimentions but not a picture.
I did not know about a 'hearth stove'. Who makes them?
I am open to any and all suggestions.
Thanks so far.
More input?

 

[fossil]

Doc, here's a link that will get you started on your quest:

(broken link removed to http://chimneysweeponline.com/inswood.htm)

Some good information. As we've seen now (courtesy of BeGreen), not all inserts are nearly flush with the fireplace face. Rick

 

[begreen]

doc without a picture it's hard to understand what is actually installed. What is confusing me is the part about "metal insert with a masonry chimney". I'm not sure if you have a slammer, custom or some other type of installation. Is the chimney tile-lined all the way to the top? Do you know the dimension of the interior of the chimney?

It might help to get a pro or two looking at your set up. Do you have a Regency dealer in your area?

 

[zzr7ky]

Hi -

I just mounted a standard Vermont Castings Resolute Acclaim in front of the fire place, on the hearth, then added the required 18+" of ember protection in front of the hearth. The free standing stove sits right in front of the old fireplace. Works like a charm and is easy to clean.

 

[doc623]

Sorry if I caused confusion - BeGreen - but all that I presently have is a masonary fireplace with a metal insert built in that has accompying circulation fans also built into the brick face - one on each side that is controlled with an off on switch. I also have a brick chimney that is exterior and is a duel chimney but is a separate chimney from a separate heating souce in the basement. In other words two separate chimneys that are bricked side beside.
I am trying to decide upon an insert or a stove that would fit in the existing opening which is:
23-24" deep X 37" wide X 26" high. The hearth extends out 17" is is 4 brick or 11.5" up from the floor level.
I appreciate the help so far.
I would appreciate any comments on what people have tried and used.
I had did fine the section on reviews of various products from others but I have lost my way back to that section.
Thanks again to any and all for your help so far.

 

[BrotherBart]

Stove reviews:

https://www.hearth.com/ratings/search.php

 

[begreen]

Does it look like this unit?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/17534/

The problem is that without identifying what is there and what the chimney is rated at, we are challenged for recommendations. If this is a zero-clearance insert, the options are limited. That's why I recommended contacting a local dealer to have them determine what your setup will allow. Do you have any Regency, Lopi or Quadrafire dealers in your area? They make inserts that might work.

Is the interior of the chimney tile lined? In other words if you look up past the damper, what do you see? Bring a tape measure and see if you can measure the interior dimensions of the flue.

Also, is there a wooden mantle above the fireplace opening?

 

[doc623]

Yes BeGreen that looks very much like thcurrent set up.
Don.t know about what kind of dealers are near will check - wait - there is a Quadfire delear near and a Lopi not that far.
The chimney/flu is tile lined with two layers of brick making up the outside.
Will have to measure the flu diameter.
With this set up what would you recomend and by you I mean anyone.
Thanks.

 

[begreen]

Ask the dealer about a Quad 3100 or 4100 (depending on your taste) with a stainless liner installed. Ask the Regency dealer about a H2100 or I3100 with stainless liner.

 

[doc623]

Tried to answas before - puter problems or me.
That looks like what we have at the present.
I am trying to decide whether an insert or a hearth stove.
Am open to any and all suggestions.
The chimney is brick with a tile lining.
The chimney structure from the outside is actually two separate and complete chimneys.
One chimney is for another heat source in the basement and the other chimney is for the fire place.
Any suggestions?
Thanks to all for the help so far.

 

[doc623]

Sorry I have been gone for a while.
That is a Quadfire 3100 or 4100 correct?
Thanks so far.

 

[begreen]

Yes, that's correct. Good luck!