Recomendations on Wood Stove Insert

[Qvist]

Does anyone have any recommendations for an economical way to put an astetically pleaseing wood burning insert or fireplace like a heatilator into this fireplace. House is 1900 square feet and this would be a backup source of heat to lite at low temps. The chimney is clay lined and the fireplace as far as i can tell has never had a fire in it. Damper is still in place. For now I may use the fireplace until I can get an insert if I can repair the damper. The flue is fairly large likely 8x8 square.

 

[Qvist]

22 inches deep, 34 inches wide at the widest and 22.5 inches tall at a minimum at the sides

 

[Qvist]

Would this use case be better off with a zero clearance fireplace or an insert? I am just trying to find a starting point with it.

 

[stovelark]

A medium insert sounds like it would likely fit. Lots of choices out there. Important to find a dealer that you like and trust, plus more importantly an installer you trust. The insert will need a full length liner installed, get a couple of quotes to see what you are getting into. Then there's the good dry seasoned wood that is essential to get as well.

 

[Qvist]

A medium insert sounds like it would likely fit. Lots of choices out there. Important to find a dealer that you like and trust, plus more importantly an installer you trust. The insert will need a full length liner installed, get a couple of quotes to see what you are getting into. Then there's the good dry seasoned wood that is essential to get as well.

I have a lot of dry wood. I had a wood stove at my previous home (I just moved) I will likely line the chimney and install the insert myself as I did with my ladt stove. In this case I am concerned that the narrowest part of the back of the fireplace is only 22.5 inches wide. I am unsure if an insert will fit?

 

[stovelark]

Well, you'll have to pick the insert, look at its dimensions of depth and rear width, go to your fireplace and go back depthwise the distance of the insert (I'd add an inch for safety), then take the rear width of the fireplace at that depth to determine if it should fit. Remember to look at the flue outlet how it lines up to the damper area as well, sometimes you have to jockey the insert around to make it work. An elbow might be needed, in extreme mismatches, an off set box, etc. Its never easy. I'd highly suggest to try and give yourself some maneuvering room inside the fireplace for the insert to be able to move a bit. Good luck, and awesome on having wood ready, you're about 90 percent home with having that ready!

 

[Whitenuckler]

Not sure what I have here. Rented a cottage and this is in it. We just have a major storm, and temps dropped. Will try it out. There is a dial on the side of the brick for a blower and it works. I believe it was an insert from day one. 1996? That is one date they mention for the seaside cottage. Been stuck inside due to rain and high winds.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Most likely it’ll do the job! It looks so clean there I’d be afraid to get it dirty, lol

 

[Whitenuckler]

Most likely it’ll do the job! It looks so clean there I’d be afraid to get it dirty, lol

I have no kindling and forgot to bring an axe. I know too that once I get it fired up it's going to be too hot in the livingroom, and we'll need to open windows. I can't believe the weather we've been having since Friday. Terrible. In Cape Breton they declared a sate of emergency due to rainfalls exceeding 200mm per day washing out roads. The worst has passed now.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

It was windy (from the North) but beautiful down here. I’ve got the windows open and am slowly cleaning the house, lol. My wife is up north kayaking. She keeps sending me videos and pics of cool things she’s finding along the shore. I’m a bit jealous as I contemplate cleaning the hallway baseboards, lol

 

[stovelark]

That looks like an Englander stove works insert. Haven't seen too many of their inserts, but the FS stoves do quite well.

 

[Whitenuckler]

That looks like an Englander stove works insert. Haven't seen too many of their inserts, but the FS stoves do quite well.

I wonder how they designed the fireplace air system. It has the four vents and it's own speed control dial which does work. The unit itself has a blower too. When I turn the fireplace one on, the lower right vent appears to suck air, and the blower sound cone from it. I can't really feel much air in the other three. It was well thought out anyway although It may have started out as a regular open fireplace as the masonry chimney is very big and all stone or brick all the way up to the house peak.

 

[stovelark]

Yes, you're describing what is called a heatilator style fireplace a blower pulls in cooler air from the lower vents and pushes out the top vents some warmed air from burning the fireplace. The Englander is an actual wood burning insert with its own blower. That is the real heater there.

 

[Highbeam]

Does anyone have any recommendations for an economical way to put an astetically pleaseing wood burning insert or fireplace like a heatilator into this fireplace. House is 1900 square feet and this would be a backup source of heat to lite at low temps. The chimney is clay lined and the fireplace as far as i can tell has never had a fire in it. Damper is still in place. For now I may use the fireplace until I can get an insert if I can repair the damper. The flue is fairly large likely 8x8 square.

As a previous insert owner, I'd consider dropping a rear vent hearth stove in front (or partially inside) of that fireplace, drop the liner down into the fireplace and connect.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I wonder how they designed the fireplace air system. It has the four vents and it's own speed control dial which does work. The unit itself has a blower too. When I turn the fireplace one on, the lower right vent appears to suck air, and the blower sound cone from it. I can't really feel much air in the other three. It was well thought out anyway although It may have started out as a regular open fireplace as the masonry chimney is very big and all stone or brick all the way up to the house peak.

Got it going with no kindling. Took two tries. https://www.englander-stoves.com/us/en/heaters/wood-inserts/esw0006/