Looking to Buy a Wood Fireplace Insert for Zero Clearance Fireplace

[natel]

We have a zero clearance fireplace with a pre fabricated metal insert. I'm told that the inside of the insert is on the small side and it would be hard to fit a wood insert. I'm also told that the duct work to connect the stove to my flue would clog up and have to be cleaned often. I'm wondering what advice others might have for me. I really want a wood stove as I have a free source of firewood from a family member. I can post pictures of my fireplace if that would help you to advise me... Thanks in advance!

 

[natel]

Here's some pictures:

 

[natel]

I guess what I'm wondering is whether or not there exists a wood stove that would slide under my flue and be able to vent straight out with no bend where creosote could collect.

I found a solution! I'll go ahead and update this thread in case anyone else has a similar situation. I found a wood stove that vents out the back at a 45 degree angle. Here's another thread where someone mentions this stove https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/kodiak-1700-in-heatilator-ec42.57698/ It's called the Avalon Rainier 45.

 

[chris5150]

I bought a Quadrafire 2700i insert for my small zc fireplace. Works well.

 

[webby3650]

There are a few units that will fit in your fireplace. The Rainier probably ain't gonna be one of them! The problem is the height and width of your fireplace. You have to get your hands and a drill in there after the unit is in place. To get the bigger stoves in it's often necessary to use an offset box, it's not ideal but often necessary. The Rainier might go but it might not either. Take a look at the Lopi 1750, thats the unit we end up installing in these small pre-fab fireplaces most of the time.
You will need to run a full insulated liner to the insert too. Have you given any thought to a freestanding stove in front of the fireplace, or choosing another location?

 

[Comanche79p]

You might look at a Sierra Cricket.

 

[RSNovi]

I recently put a Jotul 350 in my superior zc br42. The stove is a tight fit and I had to use an offset box. I am not sure if the stove can be removed without pulling up the liner. When I watched them install it, it appears they attached the box to the liner, pushed the stove in, and then dropped down the liner setting the box into the stove.

The stove looks awesome, burns well, puts off only a little heat, and my zc has so many vents that it drafts like crazy nearly offsetting any heat production. I just stuffed roxul around the liner and that helped some. I think all of the louvers and vents in the zc pull a lot of air when the stove is burning.



Here is what it looks like.

 

[webby3650]

I recently put a Jotul 350 in my superior zc br42. The stove is a tight fit and I had to use an offset box. I am not sure if the stove can be removed without pulling up the liner. When I watched them install it, it appears they attached the box to the liner, pushed the stove in, and then dropped down the liner setting the box into the stove.

The stove looks awesome, burns well, puts off only a little heat, and my zc has so many vents that it drafts like crazy nearly offsetting any heat production. I just stuffed roxul around the liner and that helped some. I think all of the louvers and vents in the zc pull a lot of air when the stove is burning.

We often see XC boxes pumping cold air out because the unit didn't get insulated behind it during construction. It's a very common mistake. \
That insert, with dry wood should be pumping heat!

 

[begreen]

This looks like a tiny opening.The photo makes it look like the front opening is only 15" high. Can you measure and post the actual H&W of the fireplace opening and the depth top and bottom to the back and the rear H&W?

 

[Hiram Maxim]

I recently put a Jotul 350 in my superior zc br42. The stove is a tight fit and I had to use an offset box. I am not sure if the stove can be removed without pulling up the liner. When I watched them install it, it appears they attached the box to the liner, pushed the stove in, and then dropped down the liner setting the box into the stove.

The stove looks awesome, burns well, puts off only a little heat, and my zc has so many vents that it drafts like crazy nearly offsetting any heat production. I just stuffed roxul around the liner and that helped some. I think all of the louvers and vents in the zc pull a lot of air when the stove is burning.
Here is what it looks like.

Wow, that looks beautiful!