Is any insert small enough for our fireplace? Thank you!

[fozziebear]

I'm new here, and new to wood-burning stoves, but I've been learning a lot by poking around here. Thanks! I know there are a bunch of threads on this topic, but I wanted to ask anyway, because I'd be grateful for the help (and maybe every small fireplace is small in its own way?).

We bought a new house last year -- a 1920s bungalow in southeast Michigan -- and we'd like to install a wood-burning insert to supplement our primary heat source (heat pump) and to have as a primary heat source when the power goes out during winter storms. The problem: the existing firebox2 is super small! We've had two people come out to look at it, and both said it's too small for any wood-burning insert. As a result, we're thinking about extending the hearth a bit and placing a small wood-burning stove right in front of the fireplace. (We've talked about the Morso 1410 B, for instance.) I don't mind that solution, if that's all that's really possible, but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything.

Does that seem right -- that no wood-burning insert will fit? If so, how big a project is it to reshape the firebox? Is it even worth it (e.g., is a stand-alone stove better for our purposes)? I'm attaching a bunch of pictures. Happy to follow up with additional info. Thank you again!

 

[cdcarter82]

The TN20i might fit into that space. It would be a tight fit.

 

[NewGuy132]

I'm not sure if anything would fit. We had the same issue with our fireplace. We ended up putting a wood stove on the hearth and love it. Also if the power does go out a woodstove will out preform an insert. Inserts rely on blowers to get all of the heat out in to the room. Without electricity they will heat a room, but not nearly as efficiently.

 

[cdcarter82]

Good point! A rear vented free-standing stove may be the better answer here.

 

[fozziebear]

I'm not sure if anything would fit. We had the same issue with our fireplace. We ended up putting a wood stove on the hearth and love it. Also if the power does go out a woodstove will out preform an insert. Inserts rely on blowers to get all of the heat out in to the room. Without electricity they will heat a room, but not nearly as efficiently.

Thanks -- that's helpful too!

 

[begreen]

Look at the freestanding Jotul F35. It can rear vent and has a short leg kit for fireplaces.

 

[fozziebear]

Look at the freestanding Jotul F35. It can rear vent and has a short leg kit for fireplaces.

Thanks for this recommendation too. What's the significance of the short leg kit in this context? Is the idea that this stove could be placed partly inside/partly outside the fireplace, requiring us to expand the hearth less and taking up less usable space in general? Or just that it would look better-proportioned?

 

[EbS-P]

Thanks for this recommendation too. What's the significance of the short leg kit in this context? Is the idea that this stove could be placed partly inside/partly outside the fireplace, requiring us to expand the hearth less and taking up less usable space in general? Or just that it would look better-proportioned?

It get the stove low enough for the the rear vent to fit under the opening. It can go as far back as you want it. I have one set all the way back but it really needs a blower.

 

[begreen]

The short leg kit will allow the stove to top vent directly to the liner or rear vent if it's desired to have it sit more into the room. A blower kit would be recommended along with having an insulated block-off plate sealing off the damper area.

 

[mellow]

It would be tight with that top of 26" but you might be able to fit in front a rear vent Woodstock stove (many different models), but with a short leg kit and side loading door and color to match that would be a sweet looking setup.

 

[EbS-P]

I think the F35 with short legs would fit right nice. You will need to figure out where the outlet is when the stove is back where you want/can fit it. It might be such that you don’t need to rear rear vent it. Would save the cost of a T.

Pay attention to how the height for a rear vent is higher than the top. Read the cleaning process too

https://www.jotul.com/sites/usa/files/products/130074_1%20F%2035%20Manual%20-%20English.pdf

I have the equivalent size jotul that was previously sold. Its not a long burning stove think 6 hours. But I really end it.

 

[fozziebear]

The short leg kit will allow the stove to top vent directly to the liner or rear vent if it's desired to have it sit more into the room. A blower kit would be recommended along with having an insulated block-off plate sealing off the damper area.

Ah, thank you!

 

[fozziebear]

It get the stove low enough for the the rear vent to fit under the opening. It can go as far back as you want it. I have one set all the way back but it really needs a blower.

Thanks for this (along with begreen's response)!

 

[fozziebear]

I think the F35 with short legs would fit right nice. You will need to figure out where the outlet is when the stove is back where you want/can fit it. It might be such that you don’t need to rear rear vent it. Would save the cost of a T.

Pay attention to how the height for a rear vent is higher than the top. Read the cleaning process too

https://www.jotul.com/sites/usa/files/products/130074_1%20F%2035%20Manual%20-%20English.pdf

I have the equivalent size jotul that was previously sold. Its not a long burning stove think 6 hours. But I really end it.

You and others have definitely convinced me to ask our person about the F35 -- I'm pretty sure they sell and install Jotul stoves -- and see whether/how it might fit in there. I appreciate the help!

Can I ask, sorry -- what's the "cost of a T," in this context??

 

[bholler]

You and others have definitely convinced me to ask our person about the F35 -- I'm pretty sure they sell and install Jotul stoves -- and see whether/how it might fit in there. I appreciate the help!

Can I ask, sorry -- what's the "cost of a T," in this context??

A small portion of the whole liner you need. When we buy a liner kit the tee kits are only about 50 to 75 more than an insert kit

 

[bigealta]

Yes free standing woodstove for sure.

 

[fozziebear]

We let this slide last fall, but with winter looming again, we're back on it. We're getting a proposal for the F35. Thanks everyone for the help! While we look into that, I realize I forgot to ask: are there other freestanding stoves with short leg kits out there? Also: is there any real downside to a stove that sits partway in the fireplace opening (apart from aesthetic downsides in the eyes of some)?

 

[Nordicbynature]

If you get a wood stove with a cooking plate, it might not be easy to use the plate, if the stove sits partially in the fireplace.

 

[stoveliker]

If the fireplace is on an outside wall, you'll loose more heat to the outside.

A stove that radiAtes a lot of heat to the sides and back may not be ideal especially if you go far back into the fireplace. A stove with a convective jacket might be more efficient.

Insulate the fireplace with rockwool and e.g. a metal plate or durock in front (painted stove black).
Also add an insulated block off plate.