Is soapstone insert bad for occasional Soapstone

[Gerri San]

I am looking into a fireplace insert (zero tolerance fireplace) but only plan to use the insert for fires a few times a week. Am concerned reading the Clydesdale manual that I would have to do a warm up fire each time to warm up the soapstone if it is cold start (wouldn't this generate a lot of creosote?). I want the fire for ambiance not as a continual heat source. Would I be better with a cast iron insert like hi-300 or jotul? Appreciate any insight as it is a big expense and I want to get it right.

Also my flue is 5-1/2 inches...don't I need a minimum of 6 inches, especially for a zero clearance fireplace?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[bholler]

I am looking into a fireplace insert (zero tolerance fireplace) but only plan to use the insert for fires a few times a week. Am concerned reading the Clydesdale manual that I would have to do a warm up fire each time to warm up the soapstone if it is cold start (wouldn't this generate a lot of creosote?). I want the fire for ambiance not as a continual heat source. Would I be better with a cast iron insert like hi-300 or jotul? Appreciate any insight as it is a big expense and I want to get it right.

Also my flue is 5-1/2 inches...don't I need a minimum of 6 inches, especially for a zero clearance fireplace?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

First off what fireplace do you have? Most zero clearance units do not allow inserts to be used in them

 

[Gerri San]

First off what fireplace do you have? Most zero clearance units do not allow inserts to be used in them

 

[bholler]

View attachment 230636

Is there an id tag on the inner edge of the front frame somewhere? Take a pic inside the firebox looking up at the damper area

 

[Gerri San]

View attachment 230636

It is a pretty large fireplace...A hearth store came by to measure and said the Clydesdale would just fit inside it. Apparently the flue is a strange 5-1/2 inch rectangle but he thought it could fit the liner (which doesn't make sense to me and the liner is 6inches)...I am beginning to wonder if I would be better replacing the old wire curtain with glass doors and keeping it as a fireplace for occasional fires. There is also about an inch of separation in the back of the firebox so not sure if that is an issue.

 

[bholler]

It is a pretty large fireplace...A hearth store came by to measure and said the Clydesdale would just fit inside it. Apparently the flue is a strange 5-1/2 inch rectangle but he thought it could fit the liner (which doesn't make sense to me and the liner is 6inches)...I am beginning to wonder if I would be better replacing the old wire curtain with glass doors and keeping it as a fireplace for occasional fires. There is also about an inch of separation in the back of the firebox so not sure if that is an issue.

Just because the insert fits doesnt mean it can be put in there. We need to figure out first if you do have a zero clearance fireplace. And if you do what make and model it is. From there we can look up the manual and see if an insert can be put in there.

 

[begreen]

The 5 1/2" measurement might just be the damper opening width and not the flue size. Is there a metal chimney on this fireplace?

 

[SculptureOfSound]

I don't really understand the point of soapstone as firebrick as it is used in the Clydesdale. It will take extra long to warm up, but then the heat that it later releases will mostly go up the flue. Also, it acts as an insulator within the firebox and prevents the heat from as easily reaching the cast iron shell, again meaning more heat up the flue.

It should hold heat in the firebox longer which would make reloads on coals easier, but that's about the only benefit I can imagine.

 

[Gerri San]

Brick exterior chimney. I am going to the town hall tomorrow to try to get more info on this 30 year old fireplace, if it exists. We didn't build the house so I don't know the brand and neither the chimney sweep or hearth store tech recognized it. The hearth store tech is the one who told it was a zero clearance fireplace. (I have more reading to do to find out what that means).

Also going to get a level 2 inspection (learned about that from reading the info on this site). Will be using a certified chimney sweep in RI. The damper size is 4 inches and the flue on the bottom is 5-1/2 rectangular.

Appreciate your input tremendously, and will keep you updated as I get more information.

 

[Gerri San]

Your comment on the soapstone makes a lot of sense. Seems soapstone would actually be the worst choice for intermittent fires in a flush insert. The Clydesdale manual says whenever you start it cold you have to do a small fire first (which they warm will generate a lot of creosote).

 

[begreen]

Looks like there are multiple flues in that chimney.

 

[Gerri San]

I think one is for the furnace.

 

[bholler]

Please take some pics of the inside of the firebox

 

[Gerri San]

Ok here goes...

 

[Gerri San]

Ok here goes...View attachment 230670 View attachment 230671 View attachment 230672 View attachment 230673 View attachment 230670 View attachment 230671 View attachment 230672 View attachment 230673

The chimney sweep we had looked and couldn't find a tag anywhere..I am hoping the town hall may have more information. I can get better pictures of firebox in the daytime.

 

[begreen]

Ok here goes...

Can you post a picture with the camera straight up inside pointing at the damper area?

 

[bholler]

That is definitely a zc unit but it is very odd that it is in a mulit flue masonry chimney

 

[Gerri San]

It does seem to be odd and the rectangular 5-1/2 flue seems odd. I think for safety getting it inspected level 2 is the next step. We do use it for fires several times a year so even if it turns out that an insert is not possible (which sounds like a real possibility), I would get glass doors put on and enjoy it occasionally as a fireplace still. Thank you so much for your help and I will update my post as I get more information. Maybe it can help someone in a similar situation.

You don't know how close we were to having the flush mount Ckydesdale installed. Am so thankful I found this site.

 

[Gerri San]

I am going to get a picture of the flue tomorrow when it is light and will post that