DBoon said:
The Lopi has a fully surrounded firebox, so the blower blows through that pretty well (though the volume of the blower noise, even on low, took a little getting used to) and distributes air into the room very nicely. I think the PE is similar. I would make sure you look at something with this kind of construction as you need all the help you can get with a small insert.
I'll look into those 2 models, and see who has them locally. Thanks for all the info. I'm a big minutemen fan, btw. I was too young to see them live, but I've seen Watt a bunch. Good stuff.
BeGreen said:
What's the overall opening size of the fireplace? Would it be possible to put a freestanding stove in the fireplace instead?
It's a trapazoid shape.
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The front width is just over 3', center width is about 35", and the back wall is 30" wide. most of the taper is towards the back.
It's 27 1/2" high inside.
The depth at the top of the rack is 17 1/2", tapers to 13" at the top near the damper.
I haven't looked at freestanding stoves as much, as I like the more streamlined look of the inserts better, and I don't have a ton of room in front of the fireplace (the hearth stone isn't real deep). How much do they typically extend out of the box?