Replacing gas insert and television placement

[Procrustes]

We just moved into a new home (new to us anyways) a few months ago. The house has a gas burning insert (Kozy Heat Jackson 911XL). It is fitted in what appears to be a traditional masonary fireplace. We have had it on a few times but I hate running it because I've been told running my boiler is probably much more efficent. Our lot is covered with hardwood trees (many of which I need to bring down in the next few months before they fall on the house) so I would really like to replace the gas insert with a
wood burning one since the fuel is so readily available. The opening in the fireplace (not counting the arch) is 35.5 by 24. I've been doing lots of reading and looking at different possible inserts and at this point I am leaning towards a Jotul 550, VC Mont, Avalon Perfect Fit Plus or one of the more modern Morso units. However, I have a few questions I was hoping some of you veterans could help me with.


1: As you can see from the photo, the current insert is recessed slightly (about an inch or so) and is slightly lower then the hearth. Will it be possible to make the new insert fit completely flush with the surround going over the fieldstone face of the fireplace or will I have to recess the next one back as well slightly "inside?" If the later of the two, will I require a custom surround for anything I put in the spot?


2: We presently have our LCD television mounted above the fireplace. The room is long and narrow with seating quite far from the unit so the higher placement hasn't been a viewing issue but I'm worried about the heat a wood burning insert might create and its potential effect on the television. The television is about 24 inches vertically from the top of the fireplace with a mantle in between. The TV is mounted with Tapcons right into the masonry behind the stained wood you see in the photos. Anybody have concerns with the heat transfer to the television in this arrangement or any experience with this type of setup?

Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[BobUrban]

Question one: I imagine with a little shoping, reasearch and dimentions there is an insert that will meet your heat output needs and fill the gap as you are hoping. I am thinking you may need to upgrade the base so that it is even with the heath but maybe not? All depends on the stove chosen and the manufacturers required limits.
- depending on your budget you could have a custom suround built for a reasonable rate - but one persons reasonable may be a deal breaker for another.

Two: place a candle on the mantle - if it does not melt with the stove rockin' your TV will be fine.

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

Look for one that will fit in the opening demension but use brick or something to build the bottom up to the hearth. So you demensions, minus the sunken hearth.

A smaller stove you might be able to deal with the hearth issue but I would fit the largest you can into the hole! And the bigger they are, the heavier. If you get one to fit, you may not even need a surround as in my opinion it would look pretty nice with out one to see the rough opening and maybe get a little more heat...

 

[begreen]

This is going to need a complete replacement, the chimney will not be adequate for wood burning temps nor will a wood insert go in a gas fireplace. I don' think the lower firepit will be an issue, it can be filled to make it level with the hearth. But the inserts you mention are not going to be able to be installed in a gas insert. We are talking a total tear out here.

 

[fossil]

The wood mantle, I'm afraid, is a non-starter for a woodburning insert...I don't think there's one on the market with a vertical Clearance To Combustible spec that close. As BeGreen says...you're talking about a major project here, in a number of ways. Rick

 

[begreen]

Is this natural gas or propane. If NG I would leave it in for now. Is there an opportunity for a freestanding wood stove to be installed elsewhere in the house, preferably somewhat central?

 

[HotCoals]

Is this natural gas or propane. If NG I would leave it in for now. Is there an opportunity for a freestanding wood stove to be installed elsewhere in the house, preferably somewhat central?

x2!

 

[Procrustes]

This is going to need a complete replacement, the chimney will not be adequate for wood burning temps nor will a wood insert go in a gas fireplace. I don' think the lower firepit will be an issue, it can be filled to make it level with the hearth. But the inserts you mention are not going to be able to be installed in a gas insert. We are talking a total tear out here.

I guess I should have been more clear. This is a masonry fireplace with a gas insert which I do intend to remove and replace. I am not attempting to retrofit a gas insert to burn wood. The chimney is huge and original to the house and actually serves as a wall for the kitchen o the other side (all hidden by the rough sawn cedar behind the television).

In regards to the wood mantle. I think it has a foam core or something similar with wood veneer. Something that wouldn't be a problem to tear out.


Hope that makes more sense =)