What kind of fireplace do I have (pics inside)?

[camper2099]

Hi all,

I own a raised ranch in Connecticut, built in '74, that I imagine has the original fireplace setup. I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of fireplace insert/box I have. See pictures below.
It's just a metal box and has a rectangular damper on it. It doesn't seem to put out much heat so I was looking into buying a wood insert. I showed these pictures to a couple people at the fireplace stores but no one knew what kind of setup this was. Any help/advice appreciated.

 

[webby3650]

I've not seen one like that either. But you do have a masonry fireplace, that thing just needs pulled out of there.

 

[Fsappo]

I know exactly what you have. I have sold a few decades ago. I just cant remember the name. Now its killing me

 

[webby3650]

I know exactly what you have. I have sold a few decades ago. I just cant remember the name. Now its killing me

Wilkening masonry heater?

 

[Fsappo]

I had that pop up in image search, didn't ring a bell. This is like trying to remember the name of an actor or something. Driving me nuts. Had some folks in Lake George wanted to get some more heat out their fireplace without taking away from the look. I remember I had to buy direct from the manufacturer. This was late 80's Then I ordered another one for a customer on LI in the late 90s. A box, semi tight doors, blower, slammer install. I'll drive to frickin Lake George right now and start banging on doors if someone doesn't come up with the name.

 

[Grisu]

Pull that metal box out, take the dimensions of your fireplace, post them here and we can help you with selecting a proper insert that will heat your home. The depth of your hearth looks also it could be good enough to put a freestanding stove with a rear-vent on it if you prefer that option.

How is your wood supply? Any modern stove/insert requires wood with an internal moisture content of less than 20%.

 

[jamus34]

Pull that metal box out, take the dimensions of your fireplace, post them here and we can help you with selecting a proper insert that will heat your home. The depth of your hearth looks also it could be good enough to put a freestanding stove with a rear-vent on it if you prefer that option.

How is your wood supply? Any modern stove/insert requires wood with an internal moisture content of less than 20%.

Not to jack a thread but how exactly do you take measurements of an existing fireplace?

Currently have a LP gas log insert in my fireplace - looking to convert over to a WB insert - from what I can tell it's a big FP, looking at maybe the BK princess insert or a PE Summit insert. Not sure if either (or both) will fit.

 

[Grisu]

Not to jack a thread but how exactly do you take measurements of an existing fireplace?

(broken link removed to http://www.woodheat.com/how-to-measure/)

 

[jamus34]

(broken link removed to http://www.woodheat.com/how-to-measure/)

Cool, thanks man!

 

[camper2099]

Pull that metal box out, take the dimensions of your fireplace, post them here and we can help you with selecting a proper insert that will heat your home. The depth of your hearth looks also it could be good enough to put a freestanding stove with a rear-vent on it if you prefer that option.

How is your wood supply? Any modern stove/insert requires wood with an internal moisture content of less than 20%.

Opening Width: 34"
Opening Height: 29"
Width at back of Fireplace: 27"
Depth: 20.75"
Width of Hearth: 58.5"
Depth of Hearth Extension: 20.75"
Raised Hearth Height: 6"

I would like to get a wood insert to help heat the house as much as possible (Electric heating everywhere). The house is about 1800sft and the fireplace is in the lower level. I do have a ceiling fan above the landing/front door entrance if I need to use that to help draw air up. I would like to keep cost of the new fireplace including installation under 4K.
The wood that I have has moisture content between 14-18%.

 

[begreen]

Looks like you can put a large insert in there. The Pacific Energy Summit insert is popular and a strong heater. If very long burn times are important that the catalytic Blaze King Princess insert is worth checking out, but it may stress the budget a little. A lower cost, large insert that gets high marks would be the Osburn 2400.

 

[claydogg84]

Opening Width: 34"
Opening Height: 29"
Width at back of Fireplace: 27"
Depth: 20.75"
Width of Hearth: 58.5"
Depth of Hearth Extension: 20.75"
Raised Hearth Height: 6"

I would like to get a wood insert to help heat the house as much as possible

Don't limit yourself to looking only at inserts. You've got enough room for a rear vented freestanding stove as well. I love my freestander and it's purely radiant, no fan. Heats my 2,000 sq ft raised ranch.

 

[Simonkenton]

Get a free standing stove. Why mess with an electric fan?

 

[marajade]

i have to recommend a stove as well. fans are like brown noise. it would slowly drive me insane.

 

[Fsappo]

I cant believe no one can tell me what that thing is. Drove me nuts all last night. Called my dad in Florida to see if he would remember. "son you mention fireplace insert to me again and I'll beat your ass" Im gonna bump this thread every month until someone remembers the name of that thing.

 

[Jason845845]

I cant believe no one can tell me what that thing is. Drove me nuts all last night. Called my dad in Florida to see if he would remember. "son you mention fireplace insert to me again and I'll beat your ass" Im gonna bump this thread every month until someone remembers the name of that thing.

Funny, I have that exact firebox, and I have not been able to get any info on it at all. I ripped it out and will be installing an insert in it's place.

 

[Hogwildz]

That is a Fuego Flame.
It is an ambiance insert, and will not hold up to 24/7 burning or any real heating capacity.
It will glow red more than it will heat anything.
It is junk, pull it out, and install a real wood burning insert.

I had one, and speak from experience of owning one.

 

[Jason845845]

That is a Fuego Flame.
It is an ambiance insert, and will not hold up to 24/7 burning or any real heating capacity.
It will glow red more than it will heat anything.
It is junk, pull it out, and install a real wood burning insert.

I had one, and speak from experience of owning one.

I did pretty successfully heat my home one winter with it, only when I was home and had to constantly feed it. I had high temp stove glass installed in the doors and it did a decent job. Not practical at all, but I was bored.

I have since pulled it out and will be converting it to an outdoor fireplace in the spring.

 

[begreen]

Thanks for solving the mystery Hogwildz!

 

[dougand3]

"son you mention fireplace insert to me again and I'll beat your ass"

Well, that narrows down whether you should ask him again. LMAO. HogW saved you.

 

[billb3]

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...s-a-new-summit-in-town-demo-prep-photos.4162/

 

[Hogwildz]

I did pretty successfully heat my home one winter with it, only when I was home and had to constantly feed it. I had high temp stove glass installed in the doors and it did a decent job. Not practical at all, but I was bored.

I have since pulled it out and will be converting it to an outdoor fireplace in the spring.

Must be a smaller home, cause those things are junk. The previous owner here broke the glass doors, and replaced them with solid steel. I had mine glowing nightly trying to get warmth from it, trying to heat a 2666sf house. And yes, constantly filling comes with the gem.
Would make a great smoker or such outside.
Mine is in the garage, and my old Summit in the barn. Starting to look like an insert graveyard round here.

Damn billb, that's digging a ways back.

 

[Jason845845]

Must be a smaller home, cause those things are junk. The previous owner here broke the glass doors, and replaced them with solid steel. I had mine glowing nightly trying to get warmth from it, trying to heat a 2666sf house. And yes, constantly filling comes with the gem.
Would make a great smoker or such outside.
Mine is in the garage, and my old Summit in the barn. Starting to look like an insert graveyard round here.

Damn billb, that's digging a ways back.

I think most of the heat was from the brick fireplace itself radiating the heat it had absorbed. For yucks I looked them up to buy new.... $3-$4k!! Are you kidding me!?

 

[Hogwildz]

The sad thing is, many unknowing folks that know no better, pay that, and are happy with their ambiance.
But have no clue the waste of money and wood they are.

 

[Fsappo]

That is a Fuego Flame.
It is an ambiance insert, and will not hold up to 24/7 burning or any real heating capacity.
It will glow red more than it will heat anything.
It is junk, pull it out, and install a real wood burning insert.

I had one, and speak from experience of owning one.

Oh man, thank you so much! I was going thru the Alphabet trying to come up with something that would ring a bell. You have no idea how much stress you just alleviated!