hi everyone, looking for some help. Just bought a new house and pretty much made up my mind on the Lopi freedom insert. Specs say it will take 24" split. I'm assuming that's east to west, can anyone tell me what it can handle north to south? My old regency was a monster and very easy to load n/s, I know the Lopi is tapered but trying to get an idea if the center is going to take a split close to 18" n/s or if it's 16" and under? Any help is greatly appreciated.
N/S Lopi freedom splits
- Thread starter Bruinsonfire
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buc74
Burning Hunk
Thanks for the info, little depressing I was kind of set on this stove but I think n/s loading is pretty important so I may keep looking. How long have you been using a freedom? Do you recommend it overall?
I used a freedom for a few seasons, I install several every year and service a few dozen Lopis every year. It's a solid stove for sure. Loading n/s isn't that big of a deal to me, but the tapered box can be a real pita! I prefer to load e/w as long as the box isn't tapered. Maybe you could step up to the freedom bay? Or if you don't need big heat, the 1750 loads n/s
blacktail
Minister of Fire
I cut a lot of my wood 12-13" long for N-S loading in my Republic 1250. I guess it means a little more handling of the wood, but I don't see it as a big deal.
I used to have a Freedom. I liked to load N/S. To get around the tapered sides I would just load in shorter pieces there (12" or 13"), or uglies. It was fine. I can't remember exactly what it could take in the center, but I seem to remember 18" would put it just in front of the glass.
It was a beast. By the way, you're not Dan Rice, are you?!
It was a beast. By the way, you're not Dan Rice, are you?!
prezes13
Minister of Fire
I have a cape cod which is pretty much the same fire box I think. 95% of the time I load it EW it will fit some big splits that way. Love to load it NS but it means 13" maybe 13.5" so since I don't order wood but scrounge from why the park Dept gives us and other sources I am stuck to load EW. Stove performes really well.
My Hampton HI300 has a 2.3 ft3 firebox and loads N/S. Can really squeeze a lot of splits in there. I wonder if you'd lose some usability of the 2.7ft3 the Lopi has with the tapering?
Thanks for the response. Actually think I'm going to end up with the regency i2400, my local guy only has regency not Hampton but I think it's the same difference. Stove sounds like a work horse and I agree that the Lopi would have some wasted space. Now just trying to decide if it should go in the finished basement or the main level.... I have a split ranch, I'd like to put it in the basement but I think I'd have to keep the basement around 90 to move it up stairs... Always something to stress over. Thanks again
You have a fireplace upstairs?
I don't think heating from the basement would be that great, but that's just me.
I don't think heating from the basement would be that great, but that's just me.
I do, basement and main floor both have fireplaces. Regency will fit in either so trying to decide where to place it. Can obviously move it after a season but ideally I'd like to get it right the first time!
prezes13
Minister of Fire
Split ranch is like a raised ranch? If so I would put a free standing stove downstairs. I have a raised ranch and I installed an insert upstairs. If knew then what I know now I would have had a BK ashford 30 sitting there and if I wanted to heat with wood only I would have gotten the king. Maybe some day I will but the bullet and I will go for it.
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