Out goes the Heatilator. In goes

[JRJ]

Wood like to replace wood insert with a free standing stove. Any suggestions?

 

[begreen]

Are you planning a total demolition or venting a freestanding hearth stove via a liner?

Tell us more about the room, the house and what you are trying to accomplish with this change.

 

[JRJ]

Total demolition. Its an older farmhouse with 18-21' ceiling. Had an insert installed in a previous home and wasn't really impressed. Looking to get more an alcove setup.

 

[begreen]

Alcove installs can have special clearance restrictions. Be sure to read up on them before getting the stove. Most require at least a 7' ceiling in the alcove. Is that ok? That is a mighty tall ceiling in that room. How many sq ft are you trying to heat? Will this be for nights and weekends or 24/7?

 

[webby3650]

Are you sure that's a heatilator? It looks like I can see a brick fireback through the glass door.
Either way, removing it will be a huge undertaking!

 

[cwill]

Alcoves have a lot more clearances that need to be adhered to along with proper structure around the stove. It took me a good 6 months to read, understand, and properly plan how I wanted to do my alcove. Something else to consider, not all stoves are alcove approved. Without a wider picture of the entire wall, I think an alcove might look kinda strange in a room with 20' ceiling. Here is some of the sites I used during my planing phase, lots of good info.
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/hearth_design
(broken link removed to http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/horvalue.htm)
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/k_values_what_does_it_all_mean
http://www.nfpa.org
this one is canadian but still has lots of good info.
http://cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/enefcosa/upload/wood_heating_EN_W.pdf

 

[JRJ]

Oh its definitely a heatilator. Has the tag right on it. I work from 6a to 6p so the stove prolly wont run 24-7. we have electric base board heat in this "New to us" drafty ol house of 2200 sq.ft . Im leaning towards the Osburn 2300. The sales rep just left. Higher than I had predicted tho. Little helper with some work gloves on! )

 

[begreen]

Heatilator makes several ZC fireplaces with fake brick backs.

 

[webby3650]

Heatilator makes several ZC fireplaces with fake brick backs.

I know, I was thinking old steel heatilator firebox, not pre-fab ZC. In that case, rip it out!

 

[velvetfoot]

If total demo, why an alcove? One of the nice things about a free standing stove, seems to me, is that if you don't like it you can change it out without that much hassle, as opposed to an insert or, I guess, an alcove install. The alcove would just interfere with heat transfer, no?

 

[Jags]

Get yourself a big chunk of stove and you might be surprised at how close to 24/7 you can obtain. Unless you have a specific NEED for an alcove I wouldn't do it. It limits your options.

 

[JRJ]

Will be installing two layers of dur-rock sandwiching a sheet of thin ga. With cultered stone adhered to that

 

[Jags]

Any way you choose, that little fella in the pic looks like he will be happy to help you with loading the stove. Watch out for errant splits (ask me how I know.)

 

[Swedishchef]

I run a 2300 and let me tell you this: it can put out heat. And lots of it.

Having a son/daughter that helps with the stove and enjoys being your shadow is the greatest gift...mine even tossed wood into my wood shed for 2 hours with me. not to mention I got about 10 pieces in the shins. :D

 

[JRJ]

Well...done some cutting tonight and out came a nice suprise. Must've been a wasp nest up above! Only a couple flew out

 

[JRJ]

The fun begins

 

[begreen]

I would temporarily get all that stereo and tv stuff out of the room. It's going to get dusty there soon.

 

[Swedishchef]

Keep sending the pictures. It's nice to see progress on a job like this.

 

[aansorge]

I did a similar job this summer. I'd keep ripping out the front wall of that alcove all the way up to the ceiling. Most stoves need a good 6 feet above them to meet clearance requirements.

It's a fun project! I'm sitting in front of my stove right now and enjoying the fruits of my labor!

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/blaze-king-install-help.110550/

 

[aansorge]

After experiencing my blaze king, I'm definitely having a tough time recommending anything but a cat-stove. I'm definitely biased! The blaze king has super long burn times and close clearances to combustibles.

Here is one for sale used. (broken link removed to http://wichita.craigslist.org/for/4121413681.html)

I don't know anything about this stove but if it is a newer one with a glass door, I would recommend it. I emailed him to ask. It would be a bit of a drive for you but coming with stove pipe and chimney saves a lot.

Blaze kings aren't really beautiful, but they are tremendous at doing there job.

For a beautiful cat stove...(broken link removed to http://semo.craigslist.org/grd/4116238991.html). Just look at clearances to combustibles on this one. On the other hand this woodstock may be just the ticket...it is a rear exit stove and may work well in an alcove situation. Just pull the stove a bit out of the alcove, run the flue out the back and up...could be just the ticket.

 

[JRJ]

After experiencing my blaze king, I'm definitely having a tough time recommending anything but a cat-stove. I'm definitely biased! The blaze king has super long burn times and close clearances to combustibles.

Here is one for sale used. (broken link removed to http://wichita.craigslist.org/for/4121413681.html)

I don't know anything about this stove but if it is a newer one with a glass door, I would recommend it. I emailed him to ask. It would be a bit of a drive for you but coming with stove pipe and chimney saves a lot.

Blaze kings aren't really beautiful, but they are tremendous at doing there job.

For a beautiful cat stove...(broken link removed to http://semo.craigslist.org/grd/4116238991.html). Just look at clearances to combustibles on this one. On the other hand this woodstock may be just the ticket...it is a rear exit stove and may work well in an alcove situation. Just pull the stove a bit out of the alcove, run the flue out the back and up...could be just the ticket.

aansorge thanks so much for your input! I'm having a hard time right now. After I get a little work done, my better half comes home from work just to get welcomed by a dozen or more wasps flying around the house. Then my name is MUD!!

 

[aansorge]

One other thing about blaze kings...they do have a new model coming out that is very attractive...the ashford. I'm sure it'll be pricey, but it has a lot going for it. I rather like the looks of the chinooks as well.

 

[Oregon aloha]

The stove I purchased is a Kuma Ashwood. It is approved for insert, alcove, or free standing. I took the damper out of my fireplace and made a alcove for my free standing stove. I chose the Ashwood as with all three approvals I would avoid insurance issues if they wanted to reclassify my install.

 

[JRJ]

Alright men of the woods...how high should I go? Looking to make my next hor. cut. What would some of the wise men do?

 

[aansorge]

Are you going with the blaze king? If so, the alcove needs to be at least 72 inches tall.