Looking for a 3+ cu ft Wood Insert

[batmanavich]

Hello everyone, been reviewing a lot of the forums, and the more I do, the more my head spins.

I have a 1921 vintage home that we did significant renovations to, and the fireplace on the outside wall of my house has an unlined chimney. My plans are to install a chimney liner and a wood insert, used to heat the 2400 square foot 2 story bungalow.

Fireplace dimensions are:
35" tapered to 32" Wide
27.5" arched to 29.5" High
22" Deep

I am hoping to get a large - xl firebox, and the masonry chimney can handle an 8" liner if needed.

When I went into my local fireplace dealer, they were pushing the Quadra Fire Voyager. I have since told my wife that I am over-ruling that decision, and if we go with a Quadra Fire it will be the 5100i. I don't necessarily trust the dealer, since they seem to be more concerned with aesthetics than providing heat. The other item that concerned me is they tried talking me out of insulating between the liner and the masonry in the chimney.

Can anyone make suggestions for Wood inserts with 3 or more cu ft capacity?

So far my list is:
PE Summit
Regency I3100
Harmon 300i
Osburn 2400
Quadra Fire 5100i
Kuma Sequoia
Thanks,
Matt

 

[Grisu]

Welcome to the forum!

Your plan sounds good and it looks like your research is going well. I certainly agree that insulating the liner is much better, especially since it is an exterior chimney. I would also highly recommend to install a block-off plate: https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/make-a-damper-sealing-block-off-plate/

Lopi Freedom and Lopi/Avalon/FireplaceXtraordinaire Large Flush Hybrid Fyre insert (same insert, different look) would be other options. BlazeKing Princess if you want to go for a catalytic insert and the Buck 91 would be another one. Enviro 1700 would be a slightly smaller option with a firebox of 2.5 cu ft.

Make sure you have several cords of dry wood. Usually that means to split and stack it in a sunny and windy spot for 1 to 3 years depending on the wood species. Firewood sold as "seasoned" should be tested with a moisture meter upon delivery to confirm that it has an internal moisture content of less than 20%.

 

[Owen1508]

Welcome

That's a nice list of great stoves. You should be able to pick a winner from that list.

I certainly agree that insulating the liner is much better, especially since it is an exterior chimney. I would also highly recommend to install a block-off plate: https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/make-a-damper-sealing-block-off-plate/

+1

 

[Xikar]

I was torn between the Summit, Regency I3100 and the Avalon Olympic for months. Then I decided on the PE summit and glad I did! I vote for the Summit but you really can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[davidmc]

The Buck 91 has a 4.3 box.
I run mine as a free standing unit and it does an outstanding job!

 

[batmanavich]

Thanks for the input so far. As for firewood, I have 4 face cords that have been split for three years sitting in the garage for the last few months.

The Lopi Large Flush Hybrid Fyre went on my radar with this thread.

I have ruled out the QuadraFire due to the two dealers in the area not having a good reputation, and one being unreachable during business hours.

I don't like the branding on the Osburn 2400, so that is out of the running.

The Kuma Sequoia is 4 weeks out from the factory, I would not see this for 5-6 weeks. It's cost seemed really reasonable (est. 2900 with surround)

Spent some time on the phone with the Lopi dealer, he estimated $6k installed for the Large Flush Hybrid. Said that insulating the liner is something unnecessary, and just is in the "home shows" on TV. His installs are 3-4 weeks out, and was hesitant on me installing myself, but he would sell to me, but it would be my problem once it left his dock.

I am going to try to get to the shop that deals Regency, PE, and Harmon tomorrow.

I cut out a section the cast damper for the liner to pass through last night, I think with what I left from the damper frame, I can attach the block off plate to this with some self-tapping screws, and just make bends in the back to strengthen the portion that wont be supported by the damper frame. This should be pretty straight forward, and I have a small roll of galv in the basement.

Also questioning pros/cons for stoved with CATs.

Any additional thoughts would be appreciated. I need to pull the trigger on this soon.

Thanks

 

[Owen1508]

Said that insulating the liner is something unnecessary, and just is in the "home shows" on TV. His installs are 3-4 weeks out, and was hesitant on me installing myself, but he would sell to me, but it would be my problem once it left his dock.

Interior or exterior chimney? It's not just in the home shows I'd have to disagree with him on that.

 

[Grisu]

Thanks for the input so far. As for firewood, I have 4 face cords that have been split for three years sitting in the garage for the last few months.

With a 3 cu ft insert 1.3 cords won't last you for more than a month during the midst of winter if you plan on burning 24/7. See if you can score some lumber scraps, free pallets (PITA to cut up but burn well), or buy some compressed wood logs (Ecobricks, Biobricks etc.). I would plan on having at least 4 cords at hand if you want to rely on the insert for primary heat.

I have ruled out the QuadraFire due to the two dealers in the area not having a good reputation, and one being unreachable during business hours.

This time of the year they may be busy installing and serving customers who are actually in the shop. Did you leave a message and they did not get back to you? That would be concerning to me.

The Kuma Sequoia is 4 weeks out from the factory, I would not see this for 5-6 weeks. It's cost seemed really reasonable (est. 2900 with surround)

The Sequoia needs an 8" liner so there will be some additional cost. On the other hand, the specs suggest it is a beast of a heater.

Spent some time on the phone with the Lopi dealer, he estimated $6k installed for the Large Flush Hybrid.

Don't know the cost of the insert itself but sounds expensive compared with other inserts that size. I am curious what other estimates you will get.

Said that insulating the liner is something unnecessary, and just is in the "home shows" on TV. His installs are 3-4 weeks out, and was hesitant on me installing myself, but he would sell to me, but it would be my problem once it left his dock.

Insulate it! You will see the difference when you do the sweeping and every time you open the door and there is no smoke coming into the room. It's just a few hundred $ more but will improve the performance of your insert as long as it is there.

Also questioning pros/cons for stoved with CATs.

Cat stoves are slightly more efficient, burn cleaner (less particulate emissions), and can be run at lower temps which extends burn times. However, I doubt that any of the ones you are looking at is as good as a BlazeKing stove in that regard. Drawbacks are that the cat needs replacement maybe every 5 to 8 years, you absolutely cannot burn treated wood or anything else that contains chemicals which may hurt the cat, and the fire may not look as impressive as in a secondary burn stove.

 

[Hogwildz]

You may get 1.5 to 2 months out of that wood supply. I do approx. 1/2 to maybe 3/4 cord a month, depending on weather, temps, and such.
I was eying up the Kuma when I was looking, still something about that insert I really like.
If it was me, I would have a short list of The Summit, The Sequoia, BK Princess or the Osburn.
I am not a big fan of Regency,although I almost bought on. Not a big fan of Quadra or the Harmon either. I believe the Harmon has the downdraft system, you may want to research more before any considerations.
Again, these are my preferences, take that with a grain of salt.
I am sure any one of those will do a nice job.

 

[bholler]

I like regency and quads but i agree with hw about the harmon i am not a fan at all.

 

[BrotherBart]

Not a big fan of Quadra or the Harmon either.

about the harmon i am not a fan at all.

 

[batmanavich]

Thanks for the additional comments. I really appreciate the feedback on the Harmons. I thought that the LOPI cost was quite a bit high.

As for the quad dealers, one I called had one location with a "this number has been disconnected" while the other number did not answer, and is over 2 hours from my location. The other has quite a number of poor reviews out there, and while I know that only customers with bad experiences submit reviews, I don't really want to take the risk.

With BK, I don't like the looks of the Princess... Princess, how did they come up with that name? If a princess looked like that, I would expect her to have a deep voice.

I really like the Kuma company, and I am leaning toward their Sequoia insert.
I plan to look into the PE Summit, the Buck 91

I have room for an 8# liner, and since it's an outside chimney, I plan on pouring in a vermiculite/concrete mix for insulation. After that, I will need to pour a crown on the top of the chimney as well.

It is always good to get advice from those who have trekked ahead of me.

Thanks,

 

[NHcpa]

Didn't mention Jotul, but I have a Firelight with cat and when burning all day in season, she will burn a wheel barrow full (mounded).

 

[prezes13]

How much did they quote you for the lopi insert? I think my dealer wanted $3500. Un insulated liner 15 feet with the rain cap and connector was $350. You can install it yourself with a help of 3-4 people. Of course if you need more liner and are going with an insulated one it will be a tad more.

 

[Dix]

. I have since told my wife that I am over-ruling that decision, and if we go with a Quadra Fire it will be the 5100i.

Matt

And you are still breathing?????

*Welcome to your first Dixie comment *

 

[batmanavich]

Went to the Lopi dealer today, apparantly people do not shop around by me cause this guy was a piece of work. Told me that he has sold more inserts in the last four months than in the last four seasons, and "If I can charge top dollar, I am going to charge top dollar."

He quoted $3500 for the insert, $370 for the face, and $185 for the surround. $4k+ for an insert, $6K installed. I don't see it.

Going to two different dealers in the West Suburbs of Chicago Saturday. Looked into a Buck and BK, and there are really no dealers in my area.

I am leaning back to the Kuma, with the PE Summit coming behind it. I wouldn't mind having a cat insert. Chimney opening is 9x22.

I want to pull the trigger on this by monday.

Thanks for the information, and I will give the Jotul C550 a look as well.

Matt

 

[weatherguy]

My three choices for your size house are:
Kuma Sequoia
PE Summit
Buck 91
I really like the Kuma and would have bought one if I could have got an 8 inch liner don my flue and I think its worth the wait since you'll have it for along time.
Its not that hard to install yourself if you can get a friend to help you out, if you run into any problems or have questions someone here will help you, we have a couple really good installers that post here all the time.

 

[Swedishchef]

If a princess looked like that, I would expect her to have a deep voice.

LOL

 

[batmanavich]

So after a trip to two dealers today, I think I ruled out the Jotul C550, which would be $3500. The Lopi is also out of the question, at $3500 + 500 for face and surround.

I looked at some enviros. Although the Enviro Boston 1700 is only a 2.5cu ft firebox, it's price was $2100. Apparently this dealer is in an area where all of their customers are too good to touch wood and only want to have to flip a switch to get a fire. They are offering a 30% sale off their remaining stock which put it at that price.

Any comments on the Boston 1700?

So far I am leaning towards this order:
Boston 1700 (price)
Kuma Sequoia (4-6 wk lead time is the hold back)
PE Summit

Thanks folks!

 

[batmanavich]

BTW, BK doesn't have any dealers close to me. I also can't find a dealer for the Buck 91, will have to go to Michigan to find one, may call Monday.

Price was for the fireplace insert w/ surround.

 

[begreen]

Enviro makes a first class stove. The Boston is a very handsome insert and the price sounds great too.

 

[JTRock]

Had my PE Summit installed last month. Haven't needed it in the cold. Do me a few practice burns and she does not dissapoint.

Got her cruising about 599 degrees choked down and headed for bed.

 

[Grisu]

Got her cruising about 599 degrees choked down and headed for bed.

Sure it is not 599.5? Don't want you to loose any sleep over it.

 

[JTRock]

Sure it is not 599.5? Don't want you to loose any sleep over it.

I'm going to level with you. Over firing is my biggest fear being as inexperienced as I am. I bought an infared thermometer and obsessively check it lol! After a few fires I'm starting to get comfortable

 

[fespo]

I don't know what stove to help you with but I grew up in Homewood, Bought my first house in Homewood, My girls started to go to the same grade school I went to. My dad still lives in Homewood and Im there every weekend. So Im taking a good guess you in the old down town or by Ravisloe CC. Fespo