Update on my Englander 13NC (DISSAPOINTED) NEED NEW INSERT RECOMMENDATIONS

[pen]

700 is as hot as you should need to get it.

I think the problem is w/ your fireplace limitations more than anything.

Several people on here have reported that they wish they put a freestander in their fireplace as opposed to the same stove in insert form. That surround really limits things if the power goes out.

Just something to consider.

pen

 

[slayer7]

Sounds like he has the 13NC freestanding model, not the insert. If so, I can see why you're not getting the heat output you want. If I don't run the fan on my 50-SNC13I, it just barely heats the room its in and won't keep the rest of the house warm. The heat seems to get trapped in the fireplace opening. With the fan raging, it keeps the house pretty toasty.

 

[usner21]

Sounds like he has the 13NC freestanding model, not the insert. If so, I can see why you're not getting the heat output you want. If I don't run the fan on my 50-SNC13I, it just barely heats the room its in and won't keep the rest of the house warm. The heat seems to get trapped in the fireplace opening. With the fan raging, it keeps the house pretty toasty.

Exactly! I can't get the blower in my fireplace for the 13 either because it attachs to the back and my firebox isn't deep enough. Hence why I am switching back to an insert with a built in blower!

 

[usner21]

Englander 13 is rated at 1.8 cuft. The napolean 1402 is only 2.25. That is not that big of a difference. If you can't keep up w/ the 13 now, I don't think the 1402 will keep up with you in the coldest temps of the winter.

What stove top temps were you seeing on that 13 anyway? Unless you were up in the 650 neighborhood, you don't know what that stove can do.

pen

I had the stove top up to 700 and then down from there. I just don't like the way it circulates the air. I tried fans as well and I was just much happier with an actual insert. I had it cranking that's for sure. I just think I was losing to much heat to the fireplace brick. My old insert seemed to circulate air better. Would I be able to get an Osburn 2400 in my opening?

Did not see this post before. But pens comments are very accurate.

What size stove was your old insert?

It was a 1990 Pacific Energy Super Series D insert. It did a pretty good job in heating my house. I just wanted a new model with a nicer look and more efficiency.

 

[wood4free]

I would definitely go with the largest insert you can fit in your fireplace that is within your budget. I am on the second winter with my Drolet insert with a 1.8 cf firebox and it just can't do the job when the temperature is much below 30 degrees. So my advice is go bigger - at least 2.5 cf. You might want to consider the VistaFlame line from Enviro. Someone is selling a new one on ebay for $1795.00 including shipping Here is the link - (broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/VistaFlame-Woodburning-Fireplace-Insert-/280688479721?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415a564de9)

I considered getting the VistaFlame but now leaning towards the new Progress Hybrid since freestanding stoves are known to be better heaters. I have a deposit on the plinth base model for shipment next September. It will all depend on hearth requirements.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Englander 13 is rated at 1.8 cuft. The napolean 1402 is only 2.25. That is not that big of a difference. If you can't keep up w/ the 13 now, I don't think the 1402 will keep up with you in the coldest temps of the winter.

What stove top temps were you seeing on that 13 anyway? Unless you were up in the 650 neighborhood, you don't know what that stove can do.

pen

I had the stove top up to 700 and then down from there. I just don't like the way it circulates the air. I tried fans as well and I was just much happier with an actual insert. I had it cranking that's for sure. I just think I was losing to much heat to the fireplace brick. My old insert seemed to circulate air better. Would I be able to get an Osburn 2400 in my opening?

Did not see this post before. But pens comments are very accurate.

What size stove was your old insert?

It was a 1990 Pacific Energy Super Series D insert. It did a pretty good job in heating my house. I just wanted a new model with a nicer look and more efficiency.

And what was the size of the firebox on that stove?

 

[usner21]

Not sure but it took 18" logs and I could get a 6-8 hour burn time out of it.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Not sure but it took 18" logs and I could get a 6-8 hour burn time out of it.

Was the firebox larger or small than the Englander you just purchased?

 

[usner21]

Not sure but it took 18" logs and I could get a 6-8 hour burn time out of it.

Was the firebox larger or small than the Englander you just purchased?

A little bit larger. It is not the size of the firebox that is an issue. It is the cycling of the heated air as I can't get the blower into my fireplace on the 13.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Not sure but it took 18" logs and I could get a 6-8 hour burn time out of it.

Was the firebox larger or small than the Englander you just purchased?

A little bit larger. It is not the size of the firebox that is an issue. It is the cycling of the heated air as I can't get the blower into my fireplace on the 13.

Oh, your the one with the thread yesterday that you couldn't fit the blower on the stove. Well, this all makes sense now.

 

[usner21]

Not sure but it took 18" logs and I could get a 6-8 hour burn time out of it.

Was the firebox larger or small than the Englander you just purchased?

A little bit larger. It is not the size of the firebox that is an issue. It is the cycling of the heated air as I can't get the blower into my fireplace on the 13.

Oh, your the one with the thread yesterday that you couldn't fit the blower on the stove. Well, this all makes sense now.

Yep nice learning lesson here! Back to an insert for me!

 

[BrowningBAR]

Not sure but it took 18" logs and I could get a 6-8 hour burn time out of it.

Was the firebox larger or small than the Englander you just purchased?

A little bit larger. It is not the size of the firebox that is an issue. It is the cycling of the heated air as I can't get the blower into my fireplace on the 13.

Oh, your the one with the thread yesterday that you couldn't fit the blower on the stove. Well, this all makes sense now.

Yep nice learning lesson here! Back to an insert for me!

Or, extend the hearth and allow for the blower or put in a larger freestanding stove. I lean towards free standing stoves due to the frequent power outages I experience.

 

[Dakotas Dad]

Free standing deffinatly gets the vote if powers out, that is for sure. I see you have ember protection in front of the fireplace already, could you not just sit the stove, free standing, farther out? even flush with the front of the hearth itself? It looks better than most people think it will once they see one done that way.. and would give you all the room in the world for a blower.. You may need a rear exit flue, or an offset box, but those are both easy to come by..

 

[usner21]

Free standing deffinatly gets the vote if powers out, that is for sure. I see you have ember protection in front of the fireplace already, could you not just sit the stove, free standing, farther out? even flush with the front of the hearth itself? It looks better than most people think it will once they see one done that way.. and would give you all the room in the world for a blower.. You may need a rear exit flue, or an offset box, but those are both easy to come by..

I have decided on sticking with an insert. The room is to small to extend the hearth out to far and my wife doesn't want it sitting out of the fire place to far because of the kid!

 

[BrowningBAR]

Free standing deffinatly gets the vote if powers out, that is for sure. I see you have ember protection in front of the fireplace already, could you not just sit the stove, free standing, farther out? even flush with the front of the hearth itself? It looks better than most people think it will once they see one done that way.. and would give you all the room in the world for a blower.. You may need a rear exit flue, or an offset box, but those are both easy to come by..

In regards to this, I have experienced first hand how a stove that is wedged into a fireplace loses some, or a lot, of it's heating capabilities.

As Dakota mentioned, I resolved this by going with a rear exit to allow the stove to at least sit partially outside the fireplace.

 

[usner21]

Free standing deffinatly gets the vote if powers out, that is for sure. I see you have ember protection in front of the fireplace already, could you not just sit the stove, free standing, farther out? even flush with the front of the hearth itself? It looks better than most people think it will once they see one done that way.. and would give you all the room in the world for a blower.. You may need a rear exit flue, or an offset box, but those are both easy to come by..

In regards to this, I have experienced first hand how a stove that is wedged into a fireplace loses some, or a lot, of it's heating capabilities.

As Dakota mentioned, I resolved this by going with a rear exit to allow the stove to at least sit partially outside the fireplace.

Yeah I am pretty sur ethis is my issue. By switching back to an insert I don't have to worry about this as much. I will be ordering the Napolean 1402 Insert from Sean at DynamiteBuys.com today.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Free standing deffinatly gets the vote if powers out, that is for sure. I see you have ember protection in front of the fireplace already, could you not just sit the stove, free standing, farther out? even flush with the front of the hearth itself? It looks better than most people think it will once they see one done that way.. and would give you all the room in the world for a blower.. You may need a rear exit flue, or an offset box, but those are both easy to come by..

In regards to this, I have experienced first hand how a stove that is wedged into a fireplace loses some, or a lot, of it's heating capabilities.

As Dakota mentioned, I resolved this by going with a rear exit to allow the stove to at least sit partially outside the fireplace.

Yeah I am pretty sur ethis is my issue. By switching back to an insert I don't have to worry about this as much. I will be ordering the Napolean 1402 Insert from Sean at DynamiteBuys.com today.

I hope it works for you.


Do you have a block off plate, or at least have the entry point of the chimney blocked off?

 

[usner21]

Free standing deffinatly gets the vote if powers out, that is for sure. I see you have ember protection in front of the fireplace already, could you not just sit the stove, free standing, farther out? even flush with the front of the hearth itself? It looks better than most people think it will once they see one done that way.. and would give you all the room in the world for a blower.. You may need a rear exit flue, or an offset box, but those are both easy to come by..

In regards to this, I have experienced first hand how a stove that is wedged into a fireplace loses some, or a lot, of it's heating capabilities.

As Dakota mentioned, I resolved this by going with a rear exit to allow the stove to at least sit partially outside the fireplace.

Yeah I am pretty sur ethis is my issue. By switching back to an insert I don't have to worry about this as much. I will be ordering the Napolean 1402 Insert from Sean at DynamiteBuys.com today.

I hope it works for you.


Do you have a block off plate, or at least have the entry point of the chimney blocked off?

Yes I have a roxul blockoff plate installed.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Free standing deffinatly gets the vote if powers out, that is for sure. I see you have ember protection in front of the fireplace already, could you not just sit the stove, free standing, farther out? even flush with the front of the hearth itself? It looks better than most people think it will once they see one done that way.. and would give you all the room in the world for a blower.. You may need a rear exit flue, or an offset box, but those are both easy to come by..

In regards to this, I have experienced first hand how a stove that is wedged into a fireplace loses some, or a lot, of it's heating capabilities.

As Dakota mentioned, I resolved this by going with a rear exit to allow the stove to at least sit partially outside the fireplace.

Yeah I am pretty sur ethis is my issue. By switching back to an insert I don't have to worry about this as much. I will be ordering the Napolean 1402 Insert from Sean at DynamiteBuys.com today.

I hope it works for you.


Do you have a block off plate, or at least have the entry point of the chimney blocked off?

Yes I have a roxul blockoff plate installed.

Okay, good.

 

[usner21]

Free standing deffinatly gets the vote if powers out, that is for sure. I see you have ember protection in front of the fireplace already, could you not just sit the stove, free standing, farther out? even flush with the front of the hearth itself? It looks better than most people think it will once they see one done that way.. and would give you all the room in the world for a blower.. You may need a rear exit flue, or an offset box, but those are both easy to come by..

In regards to this, I have experienced first hand how a stove that is wedged into a fireplace loses some, or a lot, of it's heating capabilities.

As Dakota mentioned, I resolved this by going with a rear exit to allow the stove to at least sit partially outside the fireplace.

Yeah I am pretty sur ethis is my issue. By switching back to an insert I don't have to worry about this as much. I will be ordering the Napolean 1402 Insert from Sean at DynamiteBuys.com today.

I hope it works for you.


Do you have a block off plate, or at least have the entry point of the chimney blocked off?

Yes I have a roxul blockoff plate installed.

Okay, good.

Thanks for all your help and input. It is truely appreciated!

 

[joecool85]

You say you are going to return it to Home Depot...will they take it back now that you've used it? I know Lowes won't.

 

[usner21]

You say you are going to return it to Home Depot...will they take it back now that you've used it? I know Lowes won't.

I called them today and they said as long as I have a receipt I have 90 days to return it.

 

[BrotherBart]

After the blower on my 30, stuffed in the fireplace, quit I put a five buck "personal" fan on each side aimed under the stove toward the back of the fireplace. That rolls a ton of heat out of the fireplace when I need it. And they are a lot quieter than the blower.

 

[dafattkidd]

So did you order the Napoleon? The osburn 2400 is too deep for your fireplace I think. The 1402 is what I was looking for, then Sean mentioned the Osburn 2400 would fit. From everything I've read the 1402 is a great insert. Tell Sean I referred you (Dominick from NY). He has a good business and is always available for any questions.

 

[kingquad]

I would seriously consider the VistaFlame 1700 that was posted earlier. It's a rebadged Enviro 1700 and that's a pretty good price.