Large firebox, rear vent?

[heydan]

I'm looking for a rear vent stove (to vent into an existing fireplace) with a large firebox (for long burn times). It looks like the largest of them all is the Hearthstone Equinox, however that requires an 8" liner and anyway I'd prefer a steel firebox so I never have to worry about gaskets or furnace cement wearing out and requiring a rebuild. So I ask you:

1. Which rear-ventable stove with a steel firebox and a 6" liner has the largest firebox?

2. If I'm willing to give up the steel firebox requirement, which rear-ventable stove with a 6" liner has the largest firebox?

3. If I'm willing to give up both the steel firebox requirement and the 6" liner requirement (I'll have to check my chimney to see if this is even an option), which rear-ventable stove with an 8" liner has the largest firebox? Would that be the Hearthstone Equinox?

 

[eightpilot]

Jotul F600 has rear vent and a 3 CB firebox with a 6" flue. Cast iron though... 8

 

[heydan]

Jotul F600 has rear vent and a 3 CB firebox with a 6" flue. Cast iron though... 8

Yes, I've seen that firebox quoted as "nearly 3.25 cubic feet." That might be the biggest you can get in a rear-ventable stove with a 6" flue liner.

 

[begreen]

The Quadrafire Isle Royale is also in this league.

 

[heydan]

The Quadrafire Isle Royale is also in this league.

Yes, 3.0 cubic foot firebox for the Isle Royale.

 

[heydan]

Oops, I see another constraint I need to worry about: the height of the stove. The fireplace I want to vent into is only about 26.5" tall. This rules out the Jotul F600 for me (requires a 31" fireplace) and the Hearthstone Equinox (requires a 29" high fireplace). However, the Quadrafire Isle Royal only requires 25" with hearth legs.

So that looks like the defining constraint for me, the height of the fireplace being 26.5". I guess the largest firebox I can get is the 3.0 cubic foot one on the Isle Royale. So now I'd like to figure out how far below a 3.0 cubic foot firebox I'd have to go to find a stove with a steel firebox that won't ever need rebuilding. Does anyone know of any steel firebox stoves that come close to the Isle Royal's 3.0 cubic feet without going over my height limit of 26.5" for a rear vent?

 

[BrotherBart]

Enjoy your new fireplace insert.

 

[begreen]

:lol: Yup, they're all steel stoves at heart.

 

[Todd]

Never seen a steel stove with a rear exit. Some cast iron stove went away from the cemented seams and have gaskets instead.

 

[heydan]

Never seen a steel stove with a rear exit. Some cast iron stove went away from the cemented seams and have gaskets instead.

I'd be happy if just the firebox were steel. I think that's enough to not ever require a rebuild. An example is the Quadra-Fire Cumberland Gap, although that one happens to be too tall for my fireplace.

Are gaskets a big improvement over furnace cement? Do they last much longer? How long is a gasketed stove expected to go without requiring a rebuild?

 

[Todd]

Never seen a steel stove with a rear exit. Some cast iron stove went away from the cemented seams and have gaskets instead.

I'd be happy if just the firebox were steel. I think that's enough to not ever require a rebuild. An example is the Quadra-Fire Cumberland Gap, although that one happens to be too tall for my fireplace.

Are gaskets a big improvement over furnace cement? Do they last much longer? How long is a gasketed stove expected to go without requiring a rebuild?

In my opinion gaskets are better and last longer since they hold up better to the expansion and contraction. I know Harman Oakwood, Lopi Leyden and Avalon Arbor are cast and have gasket seams. Don't know what would fit your application, but if you find one you like download the manual and see if it will work and be legal to install in your application.

 

[begreen]

Gasketed vs cemented seams are not the only reason for a rebuild. There are several other possible aging points, including the secondary tubes or a warped baffle. Both these issues can affect steel stoves as well. The more complex the stove, the more possible areas there will be for eventual rebuilding. In some stoves this could include ceramic parts or refractory assemblies, cat hoods, bypass damper assemblies, crud accumulated in air passages, etc.. Often the corner seams are not the issue.

As for the original question, I don't know. Technology is also changing. I'm interested to see how Jotul's new ceramic joint cement stands up. It looks pretty tough, but we'll need the test of time to see. They still gasket the top so that it is removable for cleaning.

For your situation, maybe look at a tough simple insert like a PE and consider getting on the waiting list.