Large Fireplace Insert Question

[pacebm]

Hello, my name is Brian and I'm a newbie to this forum. I will probably get torn to shreds for asking a question but I have Googled until my fingers hurt.

I have a new house and a fireplace that has never been used. The firebox is relatively large at 36 wide x 26 tall x 24 deep. I would like to get an insert that will fit 24 inch logs because I have a lot of firewood already cut to that length. I live in deep South Alabama (1 mile from Florida) and the insert will not be used very often. My question is this: Where can I find a wood burning insert that accepts 24 inch logs?

Why an insert? Simple, I like the safety of closing the door when I head off to work. I am not as confident with a fireplace screen. Also, I like the easier ash cleaning and efficiency aspects.

Also, being so far south, my contractor choices are very limited and all are several hundred miles away so I don't have a local dealer to turn to. This will probably end up being an internet order and DIY install. I have a lot of reading and learning to do!

Thank you for any help you can offer.

 

[pacebm]

OK, so no one has a recommendation.

Can you recommend a dealer that I could contact?

 

[Sprinter]

Welcome to the forum Brian.

Here's one that takes 24" splits. But this size stove is likely way overkill. The problem is that with an efficient device like an insert, if you try to burn 24" material in it, it will probably heat you right out of the house. And be wasteful. You can make small fires in a large stove, but then you'd be using smaller splits anyway.

If you don't burn much in that warm climate, I think you'd be much better off looking at a small insert and cut that firewood down. 12" splits are really a nice size in a small stove. Just my take.

http://www.fireplacex.com/ProductGuide/ProductDetail.aspx?modelsku=98500104#Specs

 

[jeff_t]

How much do you have at 24"? Cutting it shorter isn't as bad as it sounds, and would give you way more options. I had a bunch cut long for my furnace, and trimmed 3-4 cords to fit in my stove. I just did it as I brought it to the house, and burned the cutoffs on days I was home.

This one says it will fit 24" splits
http://www.appalachianstove.com/wood-stoves-52-bay.php
Member mellow has one. I'm pretty sure he is in DC this weekend, along with a bunch of others. Be patient
(broken link removed to http://www.forgreenheat.org/stovedesign.html)

 

[Firedancer]

I don't think anyone here will 'tear you to shreds' it's a pretty friendly place.


Personally, I would cut them splits down. My insert holds up to 48 lbs and up to 22" splits. I also agree with Sprinter....you'll sweat yourself out of the deep south.

 

[Dix]

Hay Brian, welcome to the forums !!

I agree with cutting down what you have, but I also have to ask, are these logs, or splits that you have at 24 inch lengths?? Logs could be a problem, as far as seasoning. If they are splits, I hope they are seasoned, as well.

Also, is this a prefab or masonry FP? That will have a huge impact on what type of insert you can install.

Pics would help a ton !

 

[Sons924]

OK, so no one has a recommendation.

Can you recommend a dealer that I could contact?

You confused everyone by "large insert in a warm climate" aka sauna house.

 

[pacebm]

Thank you guys! What a friendly group! Normally a first time poster in a forum gets crucified.

I think you are right about cutting the logs down. It would probably have been a sauna house at 24". It only gets in the 30's a few times a year. I will look for a smaller unit and just do some cutting (well a lot of cutting). I have two portable carports stacked to the ceiling minus about 1/4 on one of them. I ended up with all this wood when I built a pond/lake on my property.

 

[Sprinter]

Thank you guys! What a friendly group! Normally a first time poster in a forum gets crucified.

I think you are right about cutting the logs down. It would probably have been a sauna house at 24". It only gets in the 30's a few times a year. I will look for a smaller unit and just do some cutting (well a lot of cutting). I have two portable carports stacked to the ceiling minus about 1/4 on one of them. I ended up with all this wood when I built a pond/lake on my property.

Sounds like a great supply. Is the wood already split or still in rounds? As Dixie said, it has to be split to dry.

 

[Dix]

Thank you guys! What a friendly group! Normally a first time poster in a forum gets crucified.

I think you are right about cutting the logs down. It would probably have been a sauna house at 24". It only gets in the 30's a few times a year. I will look for a smaller unit and just do some cutting (well a lot of cutting). I have two portable carports stacked to the ceiling minus about 1/4 on one of them. I ended up with all this wood when I built a pond/lake on my property.

That doesn't happen here, usually. Most first time posters are usually genuine

We still need more input to help you out.

 

[pacebm]

It is split and cross stacked. Not really cured yet because it was only cut a few months ago.

 

[fossil]

Normally a first time poster in a forum gets crucified.

Nobody's ever accused us of being normal here. Welcome to the forums, Brian. Stick around...sometimes the weekends can get a little slow, but don't despair...we're here and we want to help any way we can. Rick

 

[Sprinter]

It is split and cross stacked. Not really cured yet because it was only cut a few months ago.

You'll be in great shape. Especially if you don't burn much anyway.

 

[pacebm]

What are your thoughts on a fireplace door? Do they seal well? The fireplace has a stone façade and I could get the mason to mortar in a door. I'm not sure I even need the blower. It's an average house (1900 ft^2) with a large great room.

 

[Dix]

Floor plan, even a rough draft, would help, and a pic of the FP.

 

[pacebm]

I'm a mechanical engineer by trade so I will have to start a thread on my log splitter build. I wore out a craigslist splitter during my processing. Everyone has given my crap about it because it has all the bells and whistles of a high dollar unit and it is completely over designed! LOL! I will probably have to pull it with the tractor!

 

[Sprinter]

What are your thoughts on a fireplace door? Do they seal well? The fireplace has a stone façade and I could get the mason to mortar in a door. I'm not sure I even need the blower. It's an average house (1900 ft^2) with a large great room.

I was thinking on those lines too. You certainly don't very often need the heat that an insert would put out and if you use the fireplace mostly for ambiance, you may be able to find a good secure door that you'd be comfortable with. Something like this: http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Fireplace-Accessories/Rectangle-Fireplace-Doors Just be aware that no open fireplace is going to be much of a heat source.

 

[Sprinter]

I'm a mechanical engineer by trade so I will have to start a thread on my log splitter build. I wore out a craigslist splitter during my processing. Everyone has given my crap about it because it has all the bells and whistles of a high dollar unit and it is completely over designed! LOL! I will probably have to pull it with the tractor!

Put in on the "Gear" forum here. Lots of folks will be interested.

 

[pacebm]

Here is a rough sketch of the house and a picture of the fireplace.

 

[Sprinter]

Nice layout for a heat producer, but now I'm not sure you even need one... Depending on your actual heating needs, I think this is one situation where an open fireplace may be fine. How much heat do you actually need? Do you have any idea how many BTU/hr you may need to have in the winter, keeping in mind that you can't turn a wood stove on and off like a furnace, of course. These are 100% duty cycle things

 

[pacebm]

The house is foam insulated in all the walls (2x6), ceiling, roof and floor so I'm looking mostly for a small heat source. I grew up in North Alabama where it gets relatively cold so we needed the heat but it's rarely an issue down here. We had 3 frosts last year but one already this year. It was 76 today. The house stays warm just from the heat of the day that it holds. My house is basically a big man cave. I'm single and enjoy the rural lifestyle of a fireplace.

 

[pacebm]

I have no idea of my BTU/hr needs but it will usually be very low. I'm am seriously looking at the fireplace doors. I think that might be my answer to my safety concerns.

 

[Sprinter]

I'm single and enjoy the rural lifestyle of a fireplace.

I'd say that I envy you, but my wife might be watching

I think I'd keep the FP as is and find a nice glass door for it. Should be safe. Get some andirons to prevent those logs from rolling.

 

[pacebm]

I appreciate the advice and I think that is the way I am going to go. I found a couple of places with Google that make custom doors that might fit in well with the look of my house. We also have a local place that does wrought iron, I may talk with them too.

 

[Sprinter]

I appreciate the advice and I think that is the way I am going to go. I found a couple of places with Google that make custom doors that might fit in well with the look of my house. We also have a local place that does wrought iron, I may talk with them too.

Sounds good. Put that splitter info on the Gear forum.