Need your opinions on this used insert..fireplace xtrordinair 33

[timcab]

Hey everyone. I found what seems to be a good deal on a used insert pretty local to me. I have been talking with the seller about the insert and was told that he bought the house with this in it and hasn't use it since. Doesn't know much about it and is looking to sell it and throw in the stainless liner . First off I would like to know if the unit seems solid? I don't know much about it but from my research it seems to be a fireplace xtrordinair 33 elite fdx. I asked to see pics of the inside of the unit and will show you what I received. My real questions here does everything look decent? All I see is a few cracks in the firebrick but does that matter? Please let me know what you gather from he pics and if all looks ok how much would it be worth?


EDIT: pics of stove on second page..picked up on 10/6

 

[timcab]

These are the rest of the pics. Let me know what you see and think about it

 

[begreen]

It looks to be in decent shape. A couple cracked bricks are no big deal. If there are no other flaws maybe worth $1000-1500 depending on its age. Is there a surround with the unit?

 

[mellow]

It has seen its fair share of use, I would put in an offer of $800 without the liner or $900 with it. I would explain that you are looking at needing new bricks, door gasket, rear baffle and new burn tubes. You don't necessarily need the burn tubes but I would price out a new rear baffle for sure, that way you know you will be good for the burning season, the baffle bricks should be inspected but they should be ok.

I would also let them know that model is discontinued.

Btw, in case you didn't already look at it here is the manual for that stove: http://travisdealer.com/technicalnotices/100-01157.pdf

 

[begreen]

If the unit is older, also add in the price of blower motor replacement.

 

[timcab]

Thanks guys, he is asking 1k for everything. I would def offer a bit less because of the obvious reasons. It does come with the surround but it's only pictured in that one pic. Is their any way to check if the blowers are working without starting a fire? And thanks mellow for the manual. I am going to see how low he will go and throw in the things you listed to back up my reasoning. Will update you guys on what's going on. If I can't get it a bit cheaper I will prob just pass

 

[mellow]

You could bypass the snapdisk if it does not have a manual override switch on the blowers, but it will not be a quick thing to do.

 

[webby3650]

It's worth $1,000. That is a great stove! That hammered front probably cost almost what he's asking for the entire thing! Offer $900 and he includes the liner. Those inserts are solid stoves and are very hard to damage. I'd buy it!

 

[Dave A.]

Is their any way to check if the blowers are working without starting a fire?

Maybe a heat gun or propane torch, but you'd have to be V E R Y careful.

 

[timcab]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I wrote him back and asked what he will take knowing I have to buy some new things and also if it would be ok if I lit a small fire to see if the blowers worked. Waiting on response. The cheaper the deal the better in the end just in case the blowers or other unknowns are broken or on last legs. At least I know 800-1k is not overpaying. How long do ss liners last?

 

[begreen]

What year is the insert?

 

[webby3650]

How long do ss liners last?

Lifetime warranty on most of them. If it's damaged it will be warped inside, thats about all that can happen to them.

 

[timcab]

I don't know the year begreen but I know it's the older model. Doesn't look that old but who knows. And thanks about the liner, that's what I figured but just making sure. I heard back from the seller and he said give him an offer. His chimney sweep told him to list it for 1k hence the price and has been offered $500 so as long as its higher then that then I can get it. Not sure how much higher but if I could take it all for like $600-700 then I really can't lose right?

 

[webby3650]

I could take it all for like $600-700 then I really can't lose right?

If he says no, see what he will take. $$

 

[begreen]

$750 cash including the liner should be a nice deal. Make sure it will fit your fireplace first.

 

[Dave A.]

Maybe you're in a bidding war with the guy who offered $500. Wouldn't be surprised if whatever you bid, he goes back to the $500 guy and says, he can have it for anything over what you say.

 

[mellow]

Heck, for $700 I would get it and clean it up and flip it for a tidy profit in November and keep the liner. Then use that money to buy a new insert.

 

[timcab]

Mellow I was thinking of that also. Either way I can't really lose as long as it works. Figured for the price I can use it for a year and then buy a better insert next year if needed. If all works out what do you think the best way to get this 450lb beast into my pickup is? If I take the firebricks out and maybe even the doors how much do you think that will lighten the load? Was hoping me and my 2 brothers could just hoist it up in there. But I'm open to opinions as the best way and prob easier way to do it.

 

[webby3650]

Mellow I was thinking of that also. Either way I can't really lose as long as it works. Figured for the price I can use it for a year and then buy a better insert next year if needed. If all works out what do you think the best way to get this 450lb beast into my pickup is? If I take the firebricks out and maybe even the doors how much do you think that will lighten the load? Was hoping me and my 2 brothers could just hoist it up in there. But I'm open to opinions as the best way and prob easier way to do it.

It's gonna be hard to find a better heating unit than the FPX! If it was me and I needed an insert, I'd keep it.

 

[begreen]

Agreed. All I see needing replacement eventually are a couple cracked bricks. Tubes look in good shape. I'd take out the blowers, clean thoroughly and oil the motors bearings. Should be good for several years of service after that.

When you get your eyeball on the stove check the sides for greying or whitening of the paint. And inspect the secondary manifolds on the sides for any sign of cracks along welds.

 

[timcab]

Sorry for the delay in writing back. I went to go take a look at the unit today and with all of your advice I looked at certain areas for graying or paint issues/cracks. All looked good and I threw it in the truck well not that easy butI took the firebricks and doors off to lighten the load a little. I need to replace 4 bricks but the rest looked fine. The door gaskets look like they need replacing as well but besides that all looks good. Got it home late so I didn't get a chance to clean it up and take pics but I will tomorrow and post some up. Back to the story..My brothers and I got the 450lb insert in the truck with no issues at all and figured the liner would be even easier. We go on the roof, take off the cap and there is no liner in sight? I tell my brother down below to just pull on the liner a little and he pulls it right out of the chimney. They had it shoved in there and ended just over the smoke shelf, maybe 6-7 feet or so. It falls onto the hearth and so much soot and creosote falls. Prob bc they can't really clean it that way. O and there was no insulation or block off plate installed so just a short liner going to nothing. I was a little disappointed here bc I was going to save a lot on a liner but this piece was useless. Just left it at the house since it was banged up and burnt a little at the top. Now bc of this though I walked away without the liner but with the insert and surround for a negotiated price of 500. Overall I feel like I got a great deal.
So now onto the next step. What is the best yet cost effective 6x25 ss liner to go with? Is 2 ply smooth wall worth it such as a flex king pro insert kit shipped to my door for right at $400. After that I should just need a good cap and block off plate which I will make myself. What cap do you guys use on a terra cotta clay liner?

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Wow, I was going to say pass on it, but if Webby3650 gives the thumbs up, then make an offer......just lowball to start and see where it goes....

 

[webby3650]

You still did great! At that price forget about the liner!
Like I said, that surround was WAY more than you paid for the whole unit!
Whatever liner kit you end up with should come with the top plate and the cap. Some kits seem really cheap, but they don't come with any appliance adapters or top plate and cap. Not much of a kit at all really! You will most likely need a fixed 30 degree elbow on top of the stove. Every fireplace is different, but a 30 degree elbow is the most common adapter used.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Just an FYI, I paid $550 for my flex pipe 6" kit, came with a cap 25' from dealer where I got stove. Try to get new fire bricks and door gasket, when you clean it up I'm sure you will be quite happy... Congrats.....

 

[timcab]

Thanks webby. I feel like I got a great deal. Is there a section here that I can find out how to take apart the blowers and grease/oil them up?


Ram 1500: what type of liner did you get? Their seems to be a big price jump from 1ply to 2 and smooth wall. I also think I would like to get the good cap which hinges and is much easier for clean out. Going to get up on the roof within the next few days to see how much room I have to get down the chimney but from it looks like I won't have enough to squeeze in a full insulation wrap. Maybe just roxul on the top and on the block off plate