Newbie looking for a wood burning insert...but not black

[wowchad]

Hi all, it's my first post so go easy on me :cheese:

We have an open concept, 1400 sq ft ranch with a 44" x 32" x 27" deep masonry fireplace and we're looking for an insert. (Me the Mrs. and 4 kids)
I like chainsaws, dragging trees out of the woods and helping neighbors clean up fallen limbs so it has to be a wood burner. The problem is our house has a contemporary style to it and doesn't have anything brass except the crappy, ugly-old fireplace face that we want to repalce.

I have about 6 hours into reading on this site and if anybody can help I think this is the place. After looking at most of the standard, recommended inserts the only one I see that we both agree on is the Lopi Declaration with the pewter face. Finding a flush mounted insert that's not brass or black is tough.

Well after getting a near $5k quote I'm looking for more options, (and I may need some help now that I'll be installing it myself)

Is there another mfg out there with an optional face other than the standard black?


(PS about my user name...I know it may come off as a bit rash but I've been on these internet boards (mostly boating) for years as wowchad, and I just can't bring myself to change it.)

 

[MrGriz]

Welcome to hearth.com, It's nice to have another Milwaukeeish member on the board.

I know it's black, but have you looked at the Hearthstone Clydsdale? It does have a more contemporary look than many inserts.

 

[begreen]

The Declaration is a sharp looking stove. Hampton H300i (brown) and the Jotul Kennebec (blue-black) come in enamel.

And there is the option of painting a new stove to the color of your liking with high-temp paint.

 

[wowchad]

Hey MrGriz I'm right up the road from you, Muskego actually...Go PACK!
Yeah I did see the Clydsdale but we've ruled that one out, nice big window though.
If I went with black the Kennebec and Vermont Casting Winter Warm look nice too.

BeGreen that Hampton would be my second choice but I can't see it being any cheaper...I may try to look at them both in person after hunting.

I almost wish I could shoe-horn a stainless steel outdoor unit in there.

 

[DriftWood]

Fire places are easier in planning at least you know where you are going to put the wood burner, the surround is fire proof and there may be some floor production. You can install these things just pull a permit, read the instructions for the stove and liner you choose then follow them. The Hearthstone Clydesdale fireplace insert comes in Blue/Black Satin Enamel finish. http://www.hearthstonestoves.com/wood_stoves/clydesdale/


Think about if you want a fan running with a power cord to get heat out of a insert. If not just get a wood-stove and put it in fount of the fire box, some will fit into the box. The Hearthstone Homestead Hearthmount - Model #8570H in brown, blue black or sea-foam enamel finish is one. (broken link removed to http://www.hearthstonestoves.com/wood_stoves/homestead/)

This is what I did to my fire place.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/3106/

 

[eba1225]

Welcome WOW,

I have a Lopi Declaration, but unlike you went with the all black design, well that was the Mrs. choice. The flush design is what made it stand out and the btu capacity and burn time did not hurt either. Maximum protrusion into the room or on the hearth is 1.5".

I did the complete installation myself, Liner, Cap, Stove, and hearth extension to meet local code and Lopi recomendations.

I only have 1 1/2 cons on the stove, mainly due to the configuration of my fireplace.
- 1 It is too low to the floor because my heart is flat with the floor, I have to sit on the floor to load.
- 1/2 The wood cannot be more than 7" wide (but this is my issue as I had split some too be too big.

I have many pros: I cannot say enough on how it works, construction and appearance.

The stove works great, alot of heat, and the fan even on high is not to loud.

A little about my house: I have a 2700 sq.ft. 2 story colonial with a center stairway. The main floor I usually keep between 72 and 74. I use fans to move the air around and to try to get the heat upstairs. (Still trying to find the fan position that works the best) The 2nd floor is usually around 65, which I find great for sleeping, but a little cool when coming out of a shower, so I use the furnace to bump up that temperature when showers are expected.

Erik

 

[BrotherBart]

Most of the steel stoves come from the factory painted with Stove Bright paint. Two cans of it in any of a couple of dozen colors before the stove is installed and you are good to go. It will last as long as the original black paint on a stove. Just clean it and paint it outside before installing.

Around here one of the stove shops changes a lot of the colors on their display stoves. Toss it into the deal that the dealer paints it before delivery if you don't want to do it yourself.

 

[wg_bent]

Look at the Morso insert. While still black, it's a very contemporary look. Also, doesn't Hampton come in a color?

 

[wowchad]

I did the complete installation myself, Liner, Cap, Stove, and hearth extension to meet local code and Lopi recomendations.

I only have 1 1/2 cons on the stove, mainly due to the configuration of my fireplace.
- 1 It is too low to the floor because my heart is flat with the floor, I have to sit on the floor to load.
- 1/2 The wood cannot be more than 7" wide (but this is my issue as I had split some too be too big.
Erik

Did you mean 17" or are you saying they can be longer but not more than 7" thick? If that's the case I'd have to re-chop some myself...
I wasn't really planning on installing it myself but I do have some (very little) chimney experience... and I actually do have a account with Copperfield for all the needed supplies and liner kit...still $3300 just for the unit wasn't expected :bug:
I have some double wall rigid that came with a EL FUEGO "insert" I bought but it didn't fit my application, I could probably even use that. Well the rigid vs/ flex is another topic I need to research more.
I sure do wish LOPI offered different surround options!

 

[eba1225]

Wow,

The roughly 7" is the width, I have had to do additional splitting on a few pieces to get them to fit. They say it can take up to 24" but I have most of my lenghts in the 18"-20" realm.

My insert cost 2600, bought it at the end of the season last year when the dealer wanter to get rid of it to make way for grills.

All in all my total installation ran about 3500, included Insert, Flexible Liner, Hearth extension and Chimney cleaning supplies.


Erik

 

[Mike Wilson]

I wanted a stove that was not black, and installed a Jotul Kennebec, in "Jotul Iron" color. My home is very contemporary, and the stove fit well. That said, you can also consider Morso, and Jotul has bought Scan I believe, also contemporary designed stoves.

-- Mike

 

[wowchad]

Thanks for the info, I'll check those out too...
Speaking of checking things out, being a boater I had to look at the link to your boat in your sig. Is that your dream boat, or is that actually YOUR boat? If that's yours you are a very blessed guy! It's a little different than the speedboats I'm into but never-the-less that's one sweet ride!

 

[Mike Wilson]

Is that your dream boat, or is that actually YOUR boat? If that's yours you are a very blessed guy! It's a little different than the speedboats I'm into but never-the-less that's one sweet ride!

She's mine, I own her. And thanks for the compliments... she moves pretty well.

Actually, I am looking at some other boats in the next year, particularly (broken link removed). It depends on how well the class racing is. I am very involved in one design racing, so I'm not going to invest in a class that is a flash in the pan. J/120s have a strong class organization, and we race all over the country. Plus, a Club Swan 42 is a big nut to crack open, and the annual budget to keep the program up would be significant.

-- Mike

 

[wowchad]

OK so after looking at most all of the recommended inserts the only one I see in a silver color is the Lopi Declaration.
I can't believe nobody makes a stainless steel faced insert. We found a use Lopi with the pewter face for $2000 but...probably not worth the savings.
I sure wish I'd find a deal like like yours eba1225 because this looks like the one we're going to pull the trigger on.

One more question; we're going to raise our chimney by around 6' to be in compliance upon starting our addition. I was going to put the insert in now because we may not do the addition for a year or two...would I need to totally re-line if I extend it in the future?

 

[elkimmeg]

I did the complete installation myself, Liner, Cap, Stove, and hearth extension to meet local code and Lopi recomendations.

I only have 1 1/2 cons on the stove, mainly due to the configuration of my fireplace.
- 1 It is too low to the floor because my heart is flat with the floor, I have to sit on the floor to load.
- 1/2 The wood cannot be more than 7" wide (but this is my issue as I had split some too be too big.
Erik

Did you mean 17" or are you saying they can be longer but not more than 7" thick? If that's the case I'd have to re-chop some myself...
I wasn't really planning on installing it myself but I do have some (very little) chimney experience... and I actually do have a account with Copperfield for all the needed supplies and liner kit...still $3300 just for the unit wasn't expected :bug:
I have some double wall rigid that came with a EL FUEGO "insert" I bought but it didn't fit my application, I could probably even use that. Well the rigid vs/ flex is another topic I need to research more.
I sure do wish LOPI offered different surround options!

if you have an account with Copperfields then check out the Napolean with the colored cast iron surounf and the price can't be beat

 

[wowchad]

Are you talking about these surrounds?
Could I use these surrounds with a Declaration???...or are you talking about the whole EPI-1402P stove b/c of their colored surround options and low cost?

Cast-iron Surrounds (Must Choose One)
57228 CISK-A Cast-iron surround kit, painted black, 80 lbs.
57226 CISKF-A Cast-iron surround kit, porcelain enamel majolica green. 80 lbs.
57229 CISKN-A Cast-iron surround kit, porcelain enamel majolica brown. Requires 80 lbs.
57230 AK-2 Cast-iron adaptor. Required with cast-iron surrounds. Requires 8 lbs.

 

[elkimmeg]

Exactly customize the 1402 Napolean. You are not going to beat the price quote anywhere else and they happen to be decent quality stoves.

I believe the shipping is only $100 for you total purchase still can't beat the price because dealers will include the $100