Looking for knowledge

[JASFARMER]

I am getting ready to purchase a new wood burning insert to put in my existing fireplace. Had the local stove shop come measure to figure out exactly what would fit and what wouldn't. They gave me three options that they would recommend. Lopi flush cape cod, lopi declaration flush, and fpx 33 elite flush. Looking for pros and cons from users of any of these three. After researching for a while I feel I am leaning towards the cape cod .

Thanks in advance to all my wood burning counterparts out there.

 

[pen]

With no idea about the size of your home, whether or not you are looking to heat 24x7 or just for aesthetics, or weekends, the size of the room the insert is located in, the layout of the home, etc, it's going to be tough to give advice.

That said, I can't think of any particular info that I've seen to speak poorly of any of those options, however, with just this info, it's tough for anyone to say which might fit you best.

In all, what are you working with for a home and what are your goals?

Good luck,

pen

 

[prezes13]

I don't know what is the difference between declaration and cape cod they look identical to me. I have cape cod. Love the looks. Great heater very easy to run. However being a flush insert cape cod has a shallow box. You can put up to 24" splits loading E-W but if you want load N-S which is preferred by most you will have to custom cut your splits to a 12"-13". Kind a PITA. Very we'll build unit.

 

[aansorge]

You may also be able to install a regular wood stove in the alcove. Search "alcove" in the search box for ideas.

 

[0hi0m0m]

I don't know what is the difference between declaration and cape cod they look identical to me. I have cape cod. Love the looks. Great heater very easy to run. However being a flush insert cape cod has a shallow box. You can put up to 24" splits loading E-W but if you want load N-S which is preferred by most you will have to custom cut your splits to a 12"-13". Kind a PITA. Very we'll build unit.

Why is N-S preferred? My husband likes loading this way but I like E-W

 

[Speed trap]

Go with the biggest firebox... That way you can load it up at night and forget about it

 

[JASFARMER]

I

With no idea about the size of your home, whether or not you are looking to heat 24x7 or just for aesthetics, or weekends, the size of the room the insert is located in, the layout of the home, etc, it's going to be tough to give advice.

That said, I can't think of any particular info that I've seen to speak poorly of any of those options, however, with just this info, it's tough for anyone to say which might fit you best.

In all, what are you working with for a home and what are your goals?

Good luck,

pen

My house is a split level with 4 levels. The fireplace is in the family room in the first lower level(it has two ). I plan on burning as much as human,t possible and am looking for long burn times. I know I can't heat all 2800 sq ft but I want to try and heat as much as I can.The wife is looking for aesthetics, but I am looking for efficiency. I would like to put a stand alone stove in the alcove but the height would be an issue. Only 23.5 inches. I currently have a steel firebox ( not quite sure what that means) but the local stove shop said an insert would go in no problem. I guess I should ask about a stove.

 

[aansorge]

Please post a pick.

 

[Newschool]

I
My house is a split level with 4 levels. The fireplace is in the family room in the first lower level(it has two ). I plan on burning as much as human,t possible and am looking for long burn times. I know I can't heat all 2800 sq ft but I want to try and heat as much as I can.The wife is looking for aesthetics, but I am looking for efficiency. I would like to put a stand alone stove in the alcove but the height would be an issue. Only 23.5 inches. I currently have a steel firebox ( not quite sure what that means) but the local stove shop said an insert would go in no problem. I guess I should ask about a stove.

I have the Declaration and love it. But really i don't think it will heat more than 2000 sqft unless the house is super open and/or the climate is very mild. You likely need to go bigger.

 

[JASFARMER]

Please post a pick.

I will try and get a pic posted this afternoon.

 

[JASFARMER]

Here are some pics

 

[JASFARMER]

Here are some pics

 

[Grisu]

Why is N-S preferred?

You don't need to reach into the firebox when loading, no risk of logs rolling out or against the glass, allows to stuff the firebox fuller, wood ignites more easily due to the air coming from the door. E-W is supposed to burn a bit slower as the logs block the airflow coming from the door. Hence, best is a square firebox where you can choose the orientation depending on the burn you want to achieve.

 

[jeff_t]

Sounds like the local stove shop really wants to sell you something from Travis Industries. If you want some more options, post some more info.

 

[aansorge]

Back up about 15 feet and take some more shots. I want to see if you can tear down the whole thing and just go with a free standing stove.

 

[JASFARMER]

Back up about 15 feet and take some more shots. I want to see if you can tear down the whole thing and just go with a free standing stove.

That's what I would like but I believe that would be more money, and the wife wants an insert. I'm gonna talk to stove shop tomorrow about the added cost

 

[Oregon aloha]

To redue my fireplace wasn't as bad as I thought it woud be. I did my own demo of the smoke shelf, damper and hearth with the masons guidance. Then he came in and put it all back together. Total cost labor and materials to the mantel height was only like $1400. Then I dropped the liner down and installed my free standing Kuma stove.

 

[aansorge]

I did essentially the same thing. It wasn't that difficult.

 

[OhioBurner©]

Why is N-S preferred? My husband likes loading this way but I like E-W

Well for me N-S is easier to load, you just slide the pieces straight in, and don't have to reach over hot coals to get to the back. Also less chance of a log rolling back out the door. But the big thing is I can pack my firebox much more full. Mine is 24" wide.. to fill that E-W you'd need some really long pieces which I've tried cutting that way in the past but if the pieces have a bend or anything too them (like most do) it ends up wasting a lot of space over the 24" length. This might not be as big of deal with a regular 16-18" firebox but with a 24" wide firebox its a pain. Typical 16-18" splits waste about 1/3 of the capacity, but I can pack it tight with pieces front to back. But all the extra cutting and trying to stack 12-13" long pieces is a pain.

That's what I would like but I believe that would be more money, and the wife wants an insert. I'm gonna talk to stove shop tomorrow about the added cost

I was in the same boat. Our fireplace was kind of small. I didn't want to modify the hearth either. For one thing, the stove and liner put me at the limit of what I can afford. Some may not bat an eyelash at spending $1400 (or more) extra but I just didn't have that option. And if I had I probably would have spent it first on the nicer stove finish instead of stove paint black. But now after having this flush insert for what, 4 years I think? I'd rather have installed a freestanding stove. I still don't know how I would have done it, but I've been a bit disappointed with the heat output of the flush insert. Very little radiative heat. And being in a 2 story greatroom the convection heat goes straight to the roof. It works well and throws out some heat, don't get me wrong, but when it gets below 20ºF or less, especially on a windy day, it just struggles. You might not have that problems, but with a split level you might have some issues moving heat around. Maybe a more convective stove might do you good.

Some other + and -.... flush insert will greatly really on electricity to do much heating (not so good in power outages, which usually is an advantage of a wood stove). Also no way to use flush insert to cook on in the case of a power outage either. Blower can sometimes be annoying if its close to you when your watching a movie or something. But they do look nice and easier and cheaper to install than having to modify existing hearth. Good luck!

 

[Oregon aloha]

For me it wasn't want to. It was a have to. The house had settled and the fireplace face was cracked, leaning forward and wasn't tied in to the chimney, so it would have fallen. It would have cost about the same to repair it back to the way it was. This way it is all updated and an outstanding heater for my home.

 

[JASFARMER]

Well I made the plunge today and ordered the cape cod insert. After consideration it was the most practical route for me at this time. The local shop said they should be able to have it installed the week after thanksgiving. Also, this still leaves me the ability to try and talk the mrs. into a would stove for the main level at a later date The stove shop talked very highly of this insert, and anything , including a campfire outside, would be more efficient than what i have now. With a split level house i understand i wont be able to heat the entire house but i should be able to move heat with a couple well placed fans and some dummy registers.
Thank you to all that offered suggestions and opinions. I will keep you updated when the install is finished

 

[Bigg_Redd]

I am getting ready to purchase a new wood burning insert to put in my existing fireplace. Had the local stove shop come measure to figure out exactly what would fit and what wouldn't. They gave me three options that they would recommend. Lopi flush cape cod, lopi declaration flush, and fpx 33 elite flush. Looking for pros and cons from users of any of these three. After researching for a while I feel I am leaning towards the cape cod .

Thanks in advance to all my wood burning counterparts out there.

Why all flush mounts?

 

[JASFARMER]

Why all flush mounts?

That's what the mrs wanted first and foremost. I know an insert that protrudes onto the hearth will radiate more heat but I don't have a problem with a blower. My old setup has a blower so i am kind if used to it. Also sometime in the future I plan on adding a stove in the main level. I won't be able to heat the whole house but I think I can supplement the heat fairly well.

 

[prezes13]

Congratulations. There is very few people with cape cod. Now there will be one more.