Masonry Fireplace To Insert

[death2zeus]

Hello All,

I purchased a house and didn't consider a chimney/fireplace inspection before purchasing. After a couple of months my dear wife would like a fire in the fireplace. My thoughts were to install an insert for safety and longevity purposes.

I need to get a professional out to look at the chimney/fireplace. The house was built in 1955 and the fireplace is original. I took a preliminary look at the firebox and overall it isn't in great condition. I have attached photos that show the typical condition. The fireplace was built with a damper and no real smoke shelf. The damper is loose and the frame can be shifted upwards with relative ease. Behind the firebox opens into a masonry void shown in the videos. The fireplace appears to have been well used throughout the years, with sweeping neglected from the build up of creosote.

Given the shape (sketch attached) of the firebox I am considering removing the upper portion of the refractory bricks and the damper to allow the insulated 6-inch chimney liner to fit along with an insert with a nice viewing window.

The house is effectively heated by a central gas furnace, the insert would mainly serve as ambiance along with emergency heat if everything else fails.

The main insert contenders are SBI stoves given my expectations for limited use. Leaning towards the Englander 500-I given the firebox and glass size. This would require removal of the refractory bricks and installation of an outlet. The installation methodology would follow what is shown in this YouTube video:

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Does anyone have a recommendation for a chimney/fireplace inspector in the Middle Tennessee area?

Any recommendations regarding the insert selection would be helpful.

Thank You all for any potential guidance.

 

[TWilk117]

I would definitely get it looked at by a professional. And maybe get a second opinion.
I love my Blaze King Princess 29i insert.

 

[death2zeus]

I would definitely get it looked at by a professional. And maybe get a second opinion.
I love my Blaze King Princess 29i insert.

I have considered the Blaze King products. My largest issue is my expected use vs cost. The Princess 29i has a great shape and long burn time.

 

[begreen]

The Englander 500-i is a big beast. How large of an area is the fireplace room and how open is it to the rest of the house? What's the total square footage of the house and how many stories?

 

[death2zeus]

The Englander 500-i is a big beast. How large of an area is the fireplace room and how open is it to the rest of the house? What's the total square footage of the house and how many stories?

The house is a single story ranch 2400sqft 4 with bedrooms, with a open living room in kitchen dividing the house. The fireplace is in the living room/ kitchen space that is roughly 1000sqft.

I know the insert is quite large, the unit just seemed to have the largest view window for ambiance purposes. My goal would never to have the unit running at full capacity, just a low flame licking the glass and producing light. Unless I was in an emergency situation that required the shift to my temporary main heat source.

 

[begreen]

The 500 insert is as large as they come. A lower capacity, firebox with a big window would be more practical. The Drolet Escpae 1800-i is popular. Or, maybe an E/W loader like the Regency CI2700 or the Lopi Large insert? These are secondary burn stoves so the firebox needs to get hot enough to support secondary combustion. Otherwise, constantly running it too low might gunk up the chimney due to incomplete combustion.

 

[death2zeus]

The 500 insert is as large as they come. A lower capacity, firebox with a big window would be more practical. The Drolet Escpae 1800-i is popular. Or, maybe an E/W loader like the Regency CI2700 or the Lopi Large insert? These are secondary burn stoves so the firebox needs to get hot enough to support secondary combustion. Otherwise, constantly running it too low might gunk up the chimney due to incomplete combustion.

The Drolet Escape 1800-i was another SBI stove that I have been considering given the more moderate size of the unit. If I planned to burn wood on a regular basis the Regency CI2700 would be a prime choice given the firebox shape, considering my expected use case it is hard to justify the price difference. I would also need to find a retailer to purchase the unit. I had never considered or knew of the Lopi Large inserts. Given the secondary combustion my guess is they produce excellent heat from within the baffled portion.

My main goal is ambiance and a potential emergency heat source. I am weighing getting more of a mid-grade insert vs my expected use of the unit.

 

[MRD1985]

Just pointing out the possibility that, if you’re new to wood stoves and the heat they produce, you may find yourself wanting to use it full time. It’s quite addicting. I have an 1800i, and love it. I was in a very similar situation as you 2 years ago where my masonry fireplace/chimney had multiple issues and became unusable without major repair.

JMO

 

[death2zeus]

Just pointing out the possibility that, if you’re new to wood stoves and the heat they produce, you may find yourself wanting to use it full time. It’s quite addicting. I have an 1800i, and love it. I was in a very similar situation as you 2 years ago where my masonry fireplace/chimney had multiple issues and became unusable without major repair.

JMO

During my youth my family used a ducted wood furnace for heat. The joy of creating and maintaining a fire can be quite dazzling. I could honestly see my self enjoying it again here in the next 5 or so years. I currently have an infant and plenty of house projects that absorb most of my free time.

 

[EbS-P]

have an infant and plenty of house projects that absorb most of my free time.

I have an 1800i. Cut you wood to 13”-14” and load it N/S. Get an Auber AT200 thermometer alarm. It’s a loud reminder you got busy doing other things and neglected to turn down the air. I have 23’ and need a damper.

 

[MRD1985]

I have an 1800i. Cut you wood to 13”-14” and load it N/S. Get an Auber AT200 thermometer alarm. It’s a loud reminder you got busy doing other things and neglected to turn down the air. I have 23’ and need a damper.

16” fits NS too 🙂

 

[NFreiermuth]

Hello all

It's been a VERY long time since I have been on the site and it's good to finally have some time and be back.

Just my two cents here...
I installed my Hampton HI300 in 2005 and have ran it ever since in a very similar situation. I also installed an insulated Stainless/Tungsten liner (5.5") and used a Propper Topper on top. It has heated the house since 2005 and has had zero issues. Check the flue every fall and still, have nothing ever built up in it. I definitely recommend lining the old chimney with an insulated liner and remove all doubt.

 

[death2zeus]

I have an 1800i. Cut you wood to 13”-14” and load it N/S. Get an Auber AT200 thermometer alarm. It’s a loud reminder you got busy doing other things and neglected to turn down the air. I have 23’ and need a damper.

Ohh! That is a great thought! I have debated on the damper given that I liner should be around 14/15ft.

 

[death2zeus]

16” fits NS too 🙂

That is great to know additional orientations can effectively work. My concern with N/S is flames getting aggressive and causing issues with the viewing window.

 

[NFreiermuth]

FWIW...
My Chimney is 24' High. However, the insert has the throttle/Damper and running out of control has NEVER been an issue. I can almost stop the fire by closing the throttle all the way in. I call it a throttle, as it controls the incoming air to the stove, not the exhaust, which is what a damper does, or at least I think I have that right....

 

[EbS-P]

That is great to know additional orientations can effectively work. My concern with N/S is flames getting aggressive and causing issues with the viewing window.

Not an issue.

 

[MRD1985]

That is great to know additional orientations can effectively work. My concern with N/S is flames getting aggressive and causing issues with the viewing window.

Non issue. The glass easily wipes clean with a damp paper towel dipped in ash if there is any kind of film on it

 

[death2zeus]

FWIW...
My Chimney is 24' High. However, the insert has the throttle/Damper and running out of control has NEVER been an issue. I can almost stop the fire by closing the throttle all the way in. I call it a throttle, as it controls the incoming air to the stove, not the exhaust, which is what a damper does, or at least I think I have that right....

That is a fun name for the air intake! I am thinking that the newer high efficiency stoves like to "breathe" quite a bit. Once that flue gets hot I could see the draft fighting hard against the "Throttle".

 

[kborndale]

That is great to know additional orientations can effectively work. My concern with N/S is flames getting aggressive and causing issues with the viewing window.

I be much more concerned with a log rolling into the window if you are loading E/W. Not an issue if loading N/S.

 

[basilseal]

Just to note we made the same decision; we bought a 1915 house and were told the 30' masonry chimney would have to be reconstructed OR we could install a liner and insert. A very easy decision we've been quite happy with. We wanted ambiance and secondary heat, as the boiler struggles to heat the house effectively below zero.