Kuma Sequoia Woodburning Fireplace Insert - Let the love affair begin!!!

[Juneau]

Researched everything out there for more than month before making my decision on what to put in my second fireplace. Having a Fireplace Extrordinair Elite 44" in the house for the past 10 years, I really didn't think anything out there could compete. I sent an email inquiry to the Freeman family regarding the Sequoia, and got a reply with clear honest answers the next day! I wanted something with a lot of horsepower (for when I need it), high-efficiency and quiet operation. I installed the Sequoia in my old brick fireplace/masonary chimney/23'/8"SS flexliner, and I am pleased to say that it does everything that was advertised, and more; easy start, minimal ash, easy clean glass, high quality construction to name a few...WOW was I impressed

I didn't buy the blower, as the (true-convection) design of this unit creates an amazing amount of air movement, and the unit produces an absolutely incredible amount of heat. The efficiency is also truly amazing for a unit of this size. I can put a load in and not have to add to it for 6-7 hours or more, depending on how full I want to load it, and overnight burns are simply par for the course.

I think I have brought in everyone but the postman to show this stove off!

Finally, a product that I am extremely pleased to have purchased!

I LOVE IT

Hats-Off to the Freeman Family for their design!

 

[Renovation]

Hi Juneau, and Welcome.

Congrats on your purchase. I know no more about Kumas other than their website and that a couple folks here--at least one of whom is no dummy--like them. As I recall, it is a big cat stove, fairly priced? If you don't mind, in what ways was the Sequoia the best choice for you? What sold you on it?

Oh, and it looks like we're neighbors! What town are you near?

Welcome again, and great luck with your stove.

 

[begreen]

Thanks for the nice report Juneau. That is a mighty stove. Hope you have a camera and can post some shots of the Sequoia burning.

 

[juneau00]

Yes, the Sequoia is a big CAT, and I like the fact that this stove slides into cruise control in the +750 F range, and stays there for as long as you want it to, with very little effort on your part.

Knowing that this stove was made here in the US was an important factor, and the clear and concise reply to my email inquiries by the manufacturer also goes a long way for me. But, I have to say that (post-purchase) it is the ease of use, the shear horsepower and the remarkable efficiency of the Kuma Sequoia that are most gratifying. It's good to have Buyer's Rejoice, rather than buyer's remorse, for a change.

 

[Renovation]

Yes, the Sequoia is a big CAT, and I like the fact that this stove slides into cruise control in the +750 F range, and stays there for as long as you want it to, with very little effort on your part.

Knowing that this stove was made here in the US was an important factor, and the clear and concise reply to my email inquiries by the manufacturer also goes a long way for me. But, I have to say that (post-purchase) it is the ease of use, the shear horsepower and the remarkable efficiency of the Kuma Sequoia that are most gratifying. It's good to have Buyer's Rejoice, rather than buyer's remorse, for a change.

Photos or your install, or it never happened.

 

[Juneau]

Photos or your install, or it never happened.

Well, i realize that this is an old thread and it's been a while, but here are some pics of the big-cat Kuma Sequoia installed as an insert into a masonary fireplace. I installed fans inside the old masonary fp's existing passive vents, powering them with a (variable speed) rotary switch, and automated them using a thermo-disk, aka. a snap-disk.

This unit replaced a much smaller Vermont Castings Aspen woodstove, which liked to back-puff smoke into the room, and ended up having a crack half-way across the top-plate. The VC top-plate was too thin to be repaired, despite much effort by a specialized welding/metalizing repair outfit.

I am adding some pics of another big-cat, the FPX Elite 44 Fireplace Xtrordinaire, a phenomenal zero-clearance unit that operated on the posi-pressure engineering principle, and manufactured by Travis Industries.

Both units are quite impressive.

 

[weatherguy]

I almost bought the Kuma, didn't think I could get an 8" liner down my flue, ended up being right as I had a little trouble with the 6". Really like what I read about the stove, glad you like it. I would have installed it right side up but if it burns ok upside down good for you

 

[Oregon aloha]

I have a little brother (The Ashwood, non-cat). Love the stove. Easy on the eye, easy to operate (I had my wife up to pro. status in no time), Heats well without a blower. I have a short chimney (12') and the draw a great, no puffs.

I agree the Freeman family puts out a very high quality hand made stove. I called the factory and talked right to Mark Freeman. He answered all my questions and sent me to the right resources for my install.

I am a Kuma fan, totally. I'm glad your as happy with your purchase as I am.

 

[mellow]

Nice, glad to see it is working out good for you, that is one nice stove.

Btw, how many sq feet are you heating with it?