Looking to buy insert for 2200sq ft 2 story colonial..opinions on osburn

[timcab]

osburn 2400 opinions? Hey all I have been searching the forum for the past week or so trying to do my homework before I pull the trigger on this insert and just wanted to get everyone's opinion on if it will definitely fit and also will it do the job? it does not have to be my only source of heating but i am definately looking for it to be a major part. From what I gathered so far I want to get the biggest one I can fit in the fireplace which I believe this is. I am really leaning towards the osburn 2400 mainly because of its larger firebox,burn times,affordability and really because I can't find one negative review about it. I saw dafattkid? had one and raves about it. i have a few pics to post since I know you all love pictures. Please let me know if you think it will fit and also if this is the best option for my situation.this is my first post so please feel free to ask any questions you like as I'm sure I left out some info.

 

[timcab]

Also I have been shopping around site to site and found a local supplier of the osburn 2400 insert. It seems to be a good price at 2339 for the unit with the door overlay and faceplate. Since the price seems to be universal on all the sites the best part from the local seems to be that he honors the free log splitter that osburn is offering right now and also that he has a discount on his chimney liners. The 25foot double walled smooth inside kit being the one I believe I need originally $400 now on sale for $250. All of this shipped to my door with free delivery and lift gate service. I have a buddy of mine which is a contractor helping me on the install. Will I need anything else? Was thinking of doing the roxul behind the unit and on the damper plate as well. Thanks for your opinions in advance

 

[James02]

I almost went Osburn, thanks to DFK....But having a Pacific Energy prior and after reading HOGZ postings and tutorials i went with the PE Summit....Might have a bigger box, not positive but it can be looked up...Since you've been reading....GET YOUR WOOD NOW!... Peace out!

 

[timcab]

Thanks James, I just checked out the PE summit and it looks like a real solid insert but is to wide by a little over an inch for my application. How do you like the heat output on your unit? It is similar btu number wise ans .2 difference in firebox size, just curious how it performs. Thanks for the heads up about wood. I am starting my stockpile for next year already. Trying to get 2-3 cords split and stacked asap

 

[Machria]

can't help you with the inserts, but that looks like a nice easy setup to do, good luck. Where are you?

 

[etiger2007]

Look at cat stoves to, cats will burn way longer than tube stoves. I have an Osburn 2000 and love it but wished I would have considered a cat stove.

 

[timcab]

can't help you with the inserts, but that looks like a nice easy setup to do, good luck. Where are you?

Yea it seems that it will be pretty straight forward install...hopefully lol I live in NY, Long Island the be exact. Winters aren't that crazy here but still def get cold. Today being about 40 out and tonight going down to 24. That's slightly above average for this time of year though.

 

[timcab]

Look at cat stoves to, cats will burn way longer than tube stoves. I have an Osburn 2000 and love it but wished I would have considered a cat stove.

Hey etiger, thanks for the info and the pm. I will look a little more into cat stoves but am worried that they are a little less forgiving then the 2400. Don't want to have to worry about perfectly dry wood since the wood I can get prob isn't the best. Starting to stock up on wood now to get to this forums average of 2-3 years ahead.

 

[etiger2007]

Your welcome, good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Machria]

Yea it seems that it will be pretty straight forward install...hopefully lol I live in NY, Long Island the be exact. Winters aren't that crazy here but still def get cold. Today being about 40 out and tonight going down to 24. That's slightly above average for this time of year though.

Owe, I know the LI weather well! (Check under my picturer! )

 

[dafattkidd]

Hey Timcab, welcome to the forum. I think it would work in that fireplace. Check the osburn website. I'd check but I'm headed to bed right now. Sounds like you're getting a good deal on the unit. I went non cat for similar reasons. And to be honest my budget was tight so I felt I was getting the most bang for my buck there. Where are you on LI?

 

[James02]

Thanks James, I just checked out the PE summit and it looks like a real solid insert but is to wide by a little over an inch for my application. How do you like the heat output on your unit? It is similar btu number wise ans .2 difference in firebox size, just curious how it performs. Thanks for the heads up about wood. I am starting my stockpile for next year already. Trying to get 2-3 cords split and stacked asap

My house is an oh so wonderful 75 right now....It was below 30 last night and I didn't have him working hard...As for the clearance...Just open up your fireplace, it possible...Good luck on which ever unit you go with!

 

[rideau]

Hey etiger, thanks for the info and the pm. I will look a little more into cat stoves but am worried that they are a little less forgiving then the 2400. Don't want to have to worry about perfectly dry wood since the wood I can get prob isn't the best. Starting to stock up on wood now to get to this forums average of 2-3 years ahead.

Neither a cat nor a secondary burn EPA stove will do well with wet wood. However, a cat is more forgiving of the wet wood. Look at Woodstyock's blog I believe dated January 2012 of test burns with dry and wet wood for comparison. Figures for emissions and burn times were almost identical for EPA testing, dry hardwood (19% MC) and wet hardwood (>35%MC). Don't let erroneous concerns keep you gfrom considering a cat. They give youi longer, more evern, and slightly cleaner more efficient burns. Check out ALL the inserts that will suit you, then go with you heart. You're going to live with it for a long time.

 

[dafattkidd]

Neither a cat nor a secondary burn EPA stove will do well with wet wood. However, a cat is more forgiving of the wet wood. Look at Woodstyock's blog I believe dated January 2012 of test burns with dry and wet wood for comparison. Figures for emissions and burn times were almost identical for EPA testing, dry hardwood (19% MC) and wet hardwood (>35%MC). Don't let erroneous concerns keep you gfrom considering a cat. They give youi longer, more evern, and slightly cleaner more efficient burns. Check out ALL the inserts that will suit you, then go with you heart. You're going to live with it for a long time.

Is it erroneous to be concerned that less seasoned wood will gunk up and in some cases damage a cat? As much as we talk about burning dry wood here, i must admit some of wood (a small percentage) is crappier than ideal. When choosing an insert budget was a limiting factor, but concerns about burning not so premo wood and damaging a cat kindo stirred me away from considering a cat. Maybe that's not such a big deal.

 

[timcab]

Hey Timcab, welcome to the forum. I think it would work in that fireplace. Check the osburn website. I'd check but I'm headed to bed right now. Sounds like you're getting a good deal on the unit. I went non cat for similar reasons. And to be honest my budget was tight so I felt I was getting the most bang for my buck there. Where are you on LI?

Thanks, I checked the website and it seems like it should fit with about an inch to spare width wise. Did you get your osburn local? Also how satisfied are you with the 2400? How well does it heat your home? I live right on the middle island/ coram border. It's nice to talk to someone with the exact unit I'm looking at.

 

[dafattkidd]

I bought mine at www.dynamitebuys.com

It heats a very drafty 1700 square feet well. Way warmer than the radiators. If there's a local guy who is offering good pricing that's awesome. I am happy with the service I received from dynamite, but on principle local is better. I'm in Sound Beach so we re super close to each other. other free to start a private conversation with me if you have more questions. I'm sure the summit is awesome, but if you're leaning towards tue Oz it seems to be the best bang for your buck.

*edit*Let me restate that: best bang for my buck at the time.

 

[stejus]

You can fit a Hampton HI300 in there no problem. Worked for me! There are plenty of inserts that will fit, just a matter of style and size you want to put in there.

 

[timcab]

I bought mine at www.dynamitebuys.com

It heats a very drafty 1700 square feet well. Way warmer than the radiators. If there's a local guy who is offering good pricing that's awesome. I am happy with the service I received from dynamite, but on principle local is better. I'm in Sound Beach so we re super close to each other. other free to start a private conversation with me if you have more questions. I'm sure the summit is awesome, but if you're leaning towards tue Oz it seems to be the best bang for your buck.

*edit*Let me restate that: best bang for my buck at the time.

Yes it def seems to be the best bang for my buck at the time. I have a question which might be a common one. How much space is Needed between the insert and the fireplace wall? If I was to put the biggest unit in which is the 2400 I would have about 1.5 inches or so between the side of the insert and the fireplace walls. Is that ok? Or is it to close and will cause problems? Also since the unit is tall and I will have about 2 inches give or take on the top of the insert. Is it even possible to connect the flue piping like that. I doubt I will be able to squeeze my hand in there to connect and secure it unless I Leave it out a little and somehow do it. Just need to be reassured I can do it before I pull the trigger on this unit this week. If it winds up being to tight of a fit I will go with the 2000 for extra clearance

 

[etiger2007]

If it fits i dont think it really matters, make sure you are good on your clearance to combustibles for sure. I have a couple inch gap between the insert and the old fire place and I filled those voids with Roxul insulation at Osburns approval. I will tell you this, my Osburn 2000 struggles with the cold spell we had recently, night temps of 5 degrees and it wont keep things warm at those temps throughout the night. My furnace will be on by the time I get up at 4:30am. I guess with temps that low its to be expected. Temps north of 15 degrees and it does sooooo much better.

 

[timcab]

If it fits i dont think it really matters, make sure you are good on your clearance to combustibles for sure. I have a couple inch gap between the insert and the old fire place and I filled those voids with Roxul insulation at Osburns approval. I will tell you this, my Osburn 2000 struggles with the cold spell we had recently, night temps of 5 degrees and it wont keep things warm at those temps throughout the night. My furnace will be on by the time I get up at 4:30am. I guess with temps that low its to be expected. Temps north of 15 degrees and it does sooooo much better.

Thanks for the quick reply. I was thinking that I will be fine but just wanted to make sure that was not a clearance issue. I don't have anything around the fireplace so the combustible clearance is fine. The mantle is a good 3 plus feet away. Did you do your install yourself? Just trying to gauge how you hooked up the flue while sliding the insert back in. How big is your house? And what temps is the 2000 keeping your place? I want to fit the biggest possible insert for that exact reason. Don't want to undersize it if I can control it

 

[dafattkidd]

I have to use an offset box to connect my liner to my unit, because my lintel is exactly over the exhaust of the unit. It was a little tricky, but doable.

 

[etiger2007]

I

Thanks for the quick reply. I was thinking that I will be fine but just wanted to make sure that was not a clearance issue. I don't have anything around the fireplace so the combustible clearance is fine. The mantle is a good 3 plus feet away. Did you do your install yourself? Just trying to gauge how you hooked up the flue while sliding the insert back in. How big is your house? And what temps is the 2000 keeping your place? I want to fit the biggest possible insert for that exact reason. Don't want to undersize it if I can control it

Yes I did install my self with help of a friend.

We hooked up the liner to the unit and then slid it back, then went to the top of the chimney and trimmed it down to size and capped it off.

My house is 1700 sq ft, with a basement not figured into the 1700 sq ft plus an upstairs

It dosent matter how cold it gets out side, it will keep the house over 70, under 15 degrees to 5 degrees outside 70-74 inside and filling the stove often to maintain it, 15 degrees outside and above 75 + and less loading.

If you go to Osburns site there is a fact, or questions answered part and they give some good details about there stove.

Right now its 27 outside and its 75 in the house, im not pushing the stove hard at all. I had to do a cold start at 9:15am and I have loaded the stove with three small splits since the kindling burned down, its almost 1pm now.

 

[timcab]

I

Yes I did install my self with help of a friend.

We hooked up the liner to the unit and then slid it back, then went to the top of the chimney and trimmed it down to size and capped it off.

My house is 1700 sq ft, with a basement not figured into the 1700 sq ft plus an upstairs

It dosent matter how cold it gets out side, it will keep the house over 70, under 15 degrees to 5 degrees outside 70-74 inside and filling the stove often to maintain it, 15 degrees outside and above 75 + and less loading.

If you go to Osburns site there is a fact, or questions answered part and they give some good details about there stove.

Right now its 27 outside and its 75 in the house, im not pushing the stove hard at all. I had to do a cold start at 9:15am and I have loaded the stove with three small splits since the kindling burned down, its almost 1pm now.

Nice, thanks for the info etiger. With every reply this sounds more and more doable and a great addition to my house. If you had the space would you get the bigger 2400? I have 2200sq feet first and second floor and just want to make sure the 2400 is what I want and not the 2000. I know bigger is better but I also don't want to have my house at 80+. I'm just really leaning towards the bigger one because the longer burn times and I would rather build smaller fires in a big box then packed out ones in a smaller one and wish I went bigger.

 

[etiger2007]

Nice, thanks for the info etiger. With every reply this sounds more and more doable and a great addition to my house. If you had the space would you get the bigger 2400? I have 2200sq feet first and second floor and just want to make sure the 2400 is what I want and not the 2000. I know bigger is better but I also don't want to have my house at 80+. I'm just really leaning towards the bigger one because the longer burn times and I would rather build smaller fires in a big box then packed out ones in a smaller one and wish I went bigger.

Yes If I could have fit it I would have gotten it for sure.

 

[dafattkidd]

You will only cook yourself out of the house if you load the stove with more wood than needed. I am so grateful to have an oversized stove this week. It's been colder than average temps and my boiler has been down so we're running exclusively on wood heat and doing fine. The extra firepower really works out awesome in situations like this. My house is very drafty so the extra space in the firebox works out really well for us. If you don't want too much heat just add less wood. I generally load my stove to 70-80%. This week though, I've been loading that sucker and putting the fan on high for the overnights, and chunks of the day. Of course as it's been said a million times: The key to running these stoves efficiently with great heat output and burn times is good dry wood. Good luck!