Pictures of my first stove installed. Can finally relax and enjoy my summer..

[Ricky8443]

Pictures attached. After install, my wife came home and said it looked nice. Wow, never saw that coming, was surprised, thought she would hate it. Considering I picked a black beast of a furnace like this one (20+ hour burn time catalytic stove) I thought she would say its ugly (which was my first thought compared to those nice enamel ornate stoves), but its like my ugly duckling right now, come November I'm going to fall in love with it's burn times.

I'm holding off on the first burn until October. I get a 'new fuzzy feeling' now every time I pass this unused, brand new stove in the front room. My advice to people: Buy a new stove with a spring discount and enjoy having a brand spanking new unused stove for a few months.

I now have all summer to let the stacked split wood dry and shop for a nice hearth rug (any suggestions?).

If anyone out there is contemplating installing themselves, it was extremely easy after reading all of the information posted on this site. If you don't mind being on a roof too, which is not for the faint of heart I must say. I installed liner, poured the insulation, and created a block off plate for this insert, and capped the chimney. Considering I sit at a computer all day long this was pretty ambitious but it was easier than I thought it would be and I was finished in a few hours. Saved a lot of money and learned something new in the process.

Trouble I'm having now is restraining from getting more free cut wood in the neighbor's yards from downed trees this winter!

 

[begreen]

Congratulations. It looks like you are making good progress. That will make a big change come winter. Was the chimney completely cleaned before lining? s I would prefer to at least see a UL approved hearth pad in front. IMO a hearth rug is not adequate protection, particularly for a low hearth. Ideally the pad would have screws to hold it in place against the brick hearth. It could be removed and stored in the off season.

http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Wood-...ns/HY-C-Black-Type-2-Hearth-Extension-18-x-48

 

[Ricky8443]

Ok thanks for the advice and link, that looks like a great fit for my application. I had a level two inspection and cleaning performed before installing.

 

[begreen]

I had a level two inspection and cleaning performed before installing.

Excellent.

 

[Grisu]

Congrats to that nice install and the guts to do it yourself. Getting the wife's approval is worth a lot.

Does the Princess need thermal insulation in its hearth or ember protection only? The one BG linked to is a type 2 pad with a 1.5 r-value. Maybe you could also look for a type 1. Try also a google search for "stoveboard"; they are essentially the same but (were) often cheaper than what comes up by looking for "hearth pads" or "hearth extensions". Before putting it on the floor, take a look underneath. Mine had crimps at the corners that made some scratches in my floor. I was thinking of screwing it to my brick hearth but did not like that idea too much. Instead, I put a non-slip rubber pad underneath. It has not moved one bit and both can be easily removed in the summer. Just make sure your inspector is ok with that solution if you need to have one over to check your install.

Trouble I'm having now is restraining from getting more free cut wood in the neighbor's yards from downed trees this winter!

I wish I would be that far ahead that I could say no to free wood.

 

[begreen]

Type 1 would suffice, it's ember protection only. I just provided a quick link. I'm sure there are cheaper options at Amazon and other locations.

 

[Owen1508]

looks great!! and you got the wife's approval awesome

 

[webby3650]

It looks like those panels need a little custom trimming to fit your opening. You really shouldn't have any wood exposed behind those panels.

You are gonna love those long burn times! BK makes some awesome stuff, good choice!

 

[weatherguy]

I had the same reaction from my wife, thought she'd hate it but once installed it really doesn't look that bad, once you get used to those 12+ hour burns it looks even better.

 

[Beer Belly]

Are you within specs in regard to clearances ???.....there is nothing like that first fire on a chilly night, you're gonna wonder why you didn't get one earlier....I know we will not have a home without a stove

 

[isipwater]

Well done, it looks nice.

 

[BrotherBart]

No way a new stove sits in this place for more than 30 minutes without lighting off. Even in August.

Start it up. You don't want to find a "whoops" in October.

BTW: Great job and looks great.

Edit To Add: Even with a new liner install the stove gets fired off here for a smoke check. When it isn't in winter, which none of the modifications ever are, my wife just says "Well, it is about to get real hot in this joint, again.,".