Unique arching fireplace - stove recommendations?

[dmann]

Dimensions as best I can explain(pics below):

48" wide in the front
37" wide in the back
27" from back wall to front of firebox
32.5" height in the center
39" from floor to ceiling inside the firebox

At 28" I have 28" width
At 24" I have 36" width
At 32" I have about 5" width
At 18" I have 44" width

We are have been leaning toward a free-standing wood stove sitting in the firebox. We aren't really into the look of the insert with the steel surround. Also the steel surround would cost higher as it would require custom cutting to fit the cover/mushroom style of the fireplace. Also - dont really like the HUGE square metal look to cover the archway.

We think the woodstove in the firebox would look nice, but we can't find anyone doing this - most people put the stove right outside the firebox and this is not super appealing to us.

Trying to (mostly) heat a 2,200 sq foot house - we like this stove:

(broken link removed to http://www.hearthstonestoves.com/store/wood-products/wood-stoves/mansfield)
(broken link removed to http://www.hearthstonestoves.com/store/wood-products/wood-stoves/phoenix)

But we are stumped on what will fit in this space.

Also (my wife insists that I add this part), it would be nice if we could find a stove that has a rounded aesthetic- perhaps a rounded door like the keystone stoves offer- but they are too small.

Finally- researching the installation codes, I am confused:

(broken link removed to http://www.hearthstonestoves.com/assets/files/document_library/Mansfield_8012_Manual.pdf)

On page 11, they talk about ALLOWABLE ALCOVE DIMENSIONS. Are these distances for combustibles and protected NFPA 211 combustibles? Or are those distance limitations for brick as well?

Here are some pics - really appreciate this great forum!

Extra question - Our home is a split-level home. We are debating if we will be able to get any heat from this fireplace on the bottom floor into our bedrooms directly above. Is it feasible that a 2,500 sq foot rated wood stove can heat our entire home without roasting the room the stove is sitting in? Or should we just settle for a smaller stove that will please my wife's aesthetic desires and heat the lower portion of our home?

 

[Dakotas Dad]

A stove sitting out from an existing fireplace looks good.. to us. We built our stove area to have that look.. lol.

We heat our entire home with a Mansfield. I believe the Phoenix would be to small for your sqft. In our case our living room does run a couple degrees warmer than the rest of the house. The master bath is up stairs and opposite end of the house, runs 4 degrees or so cooler than the living room. The trick for us is moving cold floor level air from the dining room into the living room. small floor fan does it. Our master suite is above the living room, heat has to leave the living room, cross the foyer and entryway, come up the stairwell, turn around and come into the master suite

People pull the stove out because it heats better from outside the fireplace.

An alcove is a small room, not a fireplace.

All clearances that matter are to combustibles.. You can't set that brick on fire, but by stuffing the stove in there, you can do a fine job of heating the brick, but not getting the heat out into the home very well.

If you can find an 8011 Mansfield NOS, they have a more arched appearance to the door casting. And better looking feet IMHO. My local dealer has a black one still as far as I know. Wife and I thought about buying it as a spare if it's still there come summer.

 

[Benchwrench]

I can share my experience, I too wanted to go with a wood stove but couldn't find a large enough stove that would fit so we had to settle for an insert. After a few years, I can honestly say I am very pleased with its performance and visual appeal.
You can see my progress from beginning to end if you're interested, here's the link:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/a-square-peg-in-a-round-hole.71287/

hope it helps in your install situation. You need to look at the manufacture's dimensions on your choice of stoves. You can get creative with your install. Just remember if it's not out in the room, you will need to consider convective heat rather than radiant.

 

[ddddddden]

We think the woodstove in the firebox would look nice, but we can't find anyone doing this - most people put the stove right outside the firebox and this is not super appealing to us. . .

Out in front of the fireplace, more of the surface of the stove is exposed to room air, facilitating heat transfer.
That said, there are a few folks here who put their some portion of their stoves in the fireplace.

Also (my wife insists that I add this part), it would be nice if we could find a stove that has a rounded aesthetic- perhaps a rounded door like the keystone stoves offer - but they are too small. . .

Are you referring to this stove?
(broken link removed to http://www.woodstove.com/fireview)
It's about the same size as the Hearthstone Phoenix. Would give you similar max output, but will also run at much lower output for a longer burn in spring/fall. . .not the Hearthstone's forté. Might be big enough. . .depends on your insulation, etc.

This is most rOund stove I've seen:
http://www.vermontironstove.com

 

[drdoct]

You can see from my avatar how I do my Lopi. It's designed to be both. I got mine second hand so I didn't have the surround. I like having it open for the heat to travel out into the space anyway. I believe the biggest problem you will encounter is going to be the exit on the stove. You really are going to need a side chimney because of the short opening. And even then I don't know if it will be short enough to fit with legs. That's not to say that it can't happen. It's just more expensive and specialized. I think a nice cream colored hearthstone stove would look great there. I would also add that if you do put a stove in the fireplace then make sure you have a way of adding some sort of fan to get the air out of it. If I don't run my blower then I get way less heat out of the fireplace.

 

[Dave A.]

I don't think your fireplace height will acomodate a stove with legs or pedestal. Taking off the legs has been done by some, but runs the risk of not passing inspections.

There are some stoves that can be used without legs like the Bucks and some Lopis and they can be used as inserts also (with or without a surround). That might be your best option if you don't want a surround, finding a stove/insert that can be used without a surround.

 

[dmann]

My installer said if we can fit it in the fireplace, they can install it and it will work. Is that true? or should I be concerned about something else? Measurements wise - I am very confidant I can fit it in there, but is there anything else I should be concerned about?

 

[Dave A.]

No I guess you're all right. Didn't really check out your stove links so the critical dimension of height to flue collar is where you'll have the most room, you won't need as much height on the sides where the top of the opening slopes down. Personally, I'd go with the bigger one. In weather like this you can use it.

Edit:

Our home is a split-level home. We are debating if we will be able to get any heat from this fireplace on the bottom floor into our bedrooms directly above. Is it feasible that a 2,500 sq foot rated wood stove can heat our entire home without roasting the room the stove is sitting in?

Really depends on your layout. Number and size of door openings. Often fans properly placed can move the heat around.

 

[Dave A.]

Just checking the Mansfield against your dimensions, and I don't think it will fit if you need to slide it in. You need at least 6" for the stove collar with 32" height and you say you have only 5" at 32", just comparing the drawing to my understanding of your listed heights. Might depend on being able to put the legs on inside the fireplace assuming you have additional height inside behind the arch.

You may want to double check as to whether it will fit.

 

[Benchwrench]

If you go with a stove that sits in front of the FP you'll have to bring the hearth abit more into the room so it has some real estate to sit upon. If you go with an insert you'll have to redo the hearth by leveling it out. Either way theres brick work to consider.

 

[Benchwrench]

My installer said if we can fit it in the fireplace, they can install it and it will work. Is that true? or should I be concerned about something else? Measurements wise - I am very confidant I can fit it in there, but is there anything else I should be concerned about?

you'll need to force the heat into the room with fans (inserts) whereas a freestanding stove into the room onto the hearth won't need fans.