Need help in deciding which Wood Insert to get in the new house we just bought

[Timber12vt]

Wow! This is such a great site, I could spend hours and hours just reading all of the posts (although I don't think my employer would like to pay me while doing it), and I am really looking forward to weaning our newly purchased house off of the oil teat (oil fired boiler, hot water baseboard). The house is about 1700sq ft of main living area, with about 1000 sq ft of basement (insulation is ok, plan to insulate more in the spring and summer of next year) and the fireplace (which has a propane insert as of now, but we want to switch to wood) is in the living room on the main living area, I was hoping someone might be able to point us in the right direction for a wood insert. The fireplace dimensions are 34.5”W x 30.25”H x 17”D, and I would like something that has a pretty decent burn time, lots of glass (we love the look of a fire), is pretty efficient, and is not super expensive (would even consider a used/pre-owned one in excellent condition). From what I have read so far, Osburns and Regencys are highly recommended. Just looking for some more opinions from the experts here on the forum. Thanks in advance and I hope to contribute some day to this amazing community.

PS. Looking forward to getting a wood pellet boiler next spring/summer as well (hopefully MA will re-fund its wood pellet grant program for 2014!!)

 

[hockeypuck]

There have been a few new Hampton hi300's installed here. Great stove ..easy to maintain... Looks great as well. It is made by Regency..less money than a comparable Jotul.

 

[Fireshoppe]

I am not familiar with what is available in your area so my recommendation is to see your local dealers, talk to them, get their recommendations and find a stove/dealer that's a good fit for you. Then come back here and ask others experiences with stoves you like and we can narrow it down from there.

If you want to DIY the install the dealer will be able to supply materials and advise to get it done right.

 

[Nick Mystic]

Before you can get any specific recommendations on inserts it would be good to post more information about your fireplace. You say it currently has a propane insert. Do you mean it has gas logs in it? Is it a traditional masonry fireplace made to burn wood logs that has gas logs in it? Or, is it a dedicated zero clearance gas log fireplace? If it is the latter, then switching to burning wood is going to require a major do over with the fireplace. So, if you post some additional information and/or a photo or two you'll be able to get more specific recommendations. Good luck with your quest.

 

[Timber12vt]

Thanks Hockeypuck....I will take a look at that one.
Fireshoppe, I am hoping to visit a local dealer over the weekend and will see what they recommend
Nick, The fireplace is a traditional masonry fireplace that has a self contained (metal) propane insert set into the opening

 

[Wormyone]

I currently have a Buck Stove Model 21 in a 2200 sf 2 story home that does a great job at keeping the whole house comfy. With what your describing I think that the Buck 74 would be sufficient IMHO. I am very new to would stoves and I can only tell you based on my situation more so than experience

 

[begreen]

Welcome, did you get a chance to read this sticky note?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/read-before-posting-or-answering-which-new-stove-to-buy.115094/

 

[Timber12vt]

It looks as if the 17" Depth is limiting my options, as many of the stoves I like are 18" or so deep and looks wise I don't want a gap around the whole thnig as I think that would looke like crap.

 

[begreen]

Take a look at Enviro1200 and Lopi Revere inserts. Also look at inserts with adjustable depths like the Jotul C450 or the Hearthstone Clydesdale (both (12.75" min.).

 

[mellow]

Begreen beat me to it, but to add to his comment: you might have to extend out your hearth but the Jotul c450 should fit, nice thing is with it more on the hearth the heat is not trapped in the fireplace.

 

[oconnor]

Post a pic of the fireplace and hearth in front for us. I installed the Jotul C450 here, but often wonder if a hearth stove would have been a better heater. Our fireplace inside was pretty rough, so we wanted to hide it, but otherwise the Jotul Nordic was on our list. The c450 doesn't give long burns, but is a real beauty IMHO.

 

[Timber12vt]

Great, thanks for all of the input!! Here is a picture of the area/hearth with the old propane insert in it. The hearth extends 38" from the face of the brick. I am definitely leaning towards an insert vs a hearth stove as the room is not that big and something that takes up less real estate the better.

 

[Timber12vt]

 

[mellow]

Man, they used that same tile up in MA? I have the same tile on mine built in 55. Depending on the insert you might have clearance issues with that wood mantle.

That looks like a perfect setup for a small rear vent stove like the woodstock keystone if you are not trying to heat a lot of space, but you will need to check that wood mantle with it as well.

 

[Andy S.]

Suggestions from a fellow newbie:
1) Unless you have known dry wood or are prepared to burn manufactured stove fuel do not do it this year.
2) Get the biggest possible firebox that passes your significant other's decorative taste and hold out if necessary.
3) Even when the salesman or installer tell you it isn't necessary, go with a fully-insulated liner and a blockoff plate.
4) See #1. It really is all about the wood.

 

[velvetfoot]

I guess the Hampton HI300 needs 17.5" depth. You can't come up with another 1/2" somehow?

Minimum Fireplace Opening
Height 21-1/2” (546mm)
Width 25” (635mm)
Depth 17-1/2” (445mm)

 

[Timber12vt]

I really like the Hamton HI300, and so does my fie, it looks great. What kind of burn times do you get out of it? How big is your house? I just checked again, and the depth is 17" and the width of the back of the fireplace is 22.5" where the HI300 at the rear is 23.75" otherwise I would love to pick one of these up. Do you think I could maybe put a course of bricks around the opening to build it out some and just have it jut out from the face of the rest of the bricks?

 

[Timber12vt]

Andy,

Thanks for the newbie tips.....I have about 2 cords of seasoned (2 years) wood that is ready to go, and that's exactly what I want, the biggest possible firebox I can fit in the opening

 

[Andy S.]

No worries, Tim. I was very limited in what I could do because of my existing prefab and had initially narrowed it to the Quadrafire 2700i and the Lopi Revere. I wanted the Lopi. The wife saw the HI200 lit when the dealer came to the house and fell in love with the look. We went with the HI200 (of course). The Lopi extends into the hearth and allows for a much bigger firebox. It would have been my choice but the wife hated the look. Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[velvetfoot]

For sure, go for the biggest one that'll fit.