Wood stove/insert recommendations

[awol42]

Hi Everyone - new to this and looking for some guidance.

We have a midcentury modern home. Large living room (approx 1200 sq….but could be a little more), high ceilings and glass windows/sliders all around. In the middle of the room is an existing large fireplace (pic attached). It’s a heatilator and has vents at the top for additional circulation. Looking to install high efficiency stove or insert with long burn time (at least 10 hours) to keep heating bills down overnight. Definitely want a big glass viewing area. Definitely want large logs to load.

Aesthetically, my wife prefers a stove so of course that would be my goal (happy wife…happy life). We have a giant opening (50 x 34). But I think any stove with legs is going to cause it to jut out onto the hearth. Ideally keep inside. But not deal breaker.

She loves the look of the stuv but I don’t think it’s that efficient and I don’t like the burn time.

Some inserts/stoves that we looked at:

1. Green mountain 60/80 - efficient but may jut out a bit and not ideal aesthetic
2. Stuv - my concern above
3. Blaze king sirocca - look ok
4. Blaze king boxer - looks ok
5. Osburn matrix - looks ok

Any thoughts on any of these or others or anything I may not be thinking of is greatly appreciated.

 

[begreen]

How deep is the fireplace and what is the width at the back?
The Osburn Inspire 2000 with the minimalist base would look good there. The Blaze Kings mentioned have a thermostatic air control in the back. This is not ideal for installation in a fireplace cavity. The Sirocco insert would be better. An insert would need a custom surround, but that is certainly possible. Also, consider the Regency Ci2700 insert.

 

[awol42]

How deep is the fireplace and what is the width at the back?
The Osburn Inspire 2000 with the minimalist base would look good there. The Blaze Kings mentioned have a thermostatic air control in the back. This is not ideal for installation in a fireplace cavity. The Sirocco insert would be better. An insert would need a custom surround, but that is certainly possible. Also, consider the Regency Ci2700 insert.

Approx 24” to the back at its deepest (bottom) but the back curves back in after 17 inches up. 38 inches wide at the back. Thanks will check those out.

 

[begreen]

There will be steady heat rising from the stove or insert. The heat from a stove is not going to be TV friendly. A non-combustible mantel would help block some of the heat. This could be stone or even metal.

 

[KDubU]

What about height from hearth to top of opening. Most stoves are top exit and too tall for what you are doing. I have something similar and have 29” opening height so going with Woodstock Progress Hybrid with short legs. Center of rear exit for the flue is 22.5”.

 

[awol42]

What about height from hearth to top of opening. Most stoves are top exit and too tall for what you are doing. I have something similar and have 29” opening height so going with Woodstock Progress Hybrid with short legs. Center of rear exit for the flue is 22.5”.

33” from hearth to top. Were the short legs custom?

 

[begreen]

What about height from hearth to top of opening. Most stoves are top exit and too tall for what you are doing. I have something similar and have 29” opening height so going with Woodstock Progress Hybrid with short legs. Center of rear exit for the flue is 22.5”.

There are some 30" or less freestanding options like the Boxer with legs or the Inspire with the minimalist base.

 

[awol42]

There are some 30" or less freestanding options like the Boxer with legs or the Inspire with the minimalist base.

Thanks. Hard to find something that size, hold large pieces of wood and tax credit eligible.

 

[EbS-P]

Check out the offerings from Pacific energy. They make great stoves. Osborn does too. With 34” height you have options for top vent stoves but really probably want something 31” or shorter to keep good air flow. A blower will help a lot to move hot air out of the fireplace

 

[KDubU]

33” from hearth to top. Were the short legs custom?

No, they offer tall or short legs for that model.

 

[awol42]

Thanks everyone for the help. Anyone know anything about the MF Fire Nova 2? It has a cool look and gets the tax abatement too.

 

[EbS-P]

Thanks everyone for the help. Anyone know anything about the MF Fire Nova 2? It has a cool look and gets the tax abatement too.

Reviews have been mixed. Its single burn rate means it would not make my list. I think there are better options. I suggest you Search the forum and do your due diligence.

 

[awol42]

Reviews have been mixed. Its single burn rate means it would not make my list. I think there are better options. I suggest you Search the forum and do your due diligence.

Yes. Already done. Seeing a lot of smoke issues with that one.

I want something that’s easy to work with and reliable. I know it always takes work to get started but once going but I want it to run awhile without issue and easy reload. I feel like if you look long enough on this website, you’ll find a negative review about every stove to turn you off. Feeling frustrated.

 

[stoveliker]

How deep is the fireplace and what is the width at the back?
The Osburn Inspire 2000 with the minimalist base would look good there. The Blaze Kings mentioned have a thermostatic air control in the back. This is not ideal for installation in a fireplace cavity. The Sirocco insert would be better. An insert would need a custom surround, but that is certainly possible. Also, consider the Regency Ci2700 insert.

The Sirocco is available in insert configuration, which avoids the (indeed real) issues of a thermostatic stove stuffed into an opening.

To the OP, this is the one I am referring to:

Sirocco 25 - Blaze King

The Sirocco 25 is a medium sized fireplace insert. At 2.3 cu. ft., the firebox will take up to a 22" log and can deliver warmth for up to 25 hours on low. The Sirocco 25 is very clean and efficient and can heat from 400 - 1,800 sq. ft. This flush insert extends to only 2.6 inches from the face...

www.blazeking.com

Osburn, PE, and others indeed also make great stoves. BK is a great and reliable brand too. The description on the website is (in my experience, for my BK freestander) not oversold.
I would give this a second look.

 

[EbS-P]

Here is a thought. The Osborn 3500 is the biggest insert you can get.

You don’t need to install the surround and the liner can be concealed with a piece of 6 or 8” stove pipe.
https://www.osburnwoodstoves.com/Osburn_3500_Insert_p/ob03510.htm.

It’s not the most super modern look but without the surround it can sit further back. This is how I have my insert installed. After this photo was taken I used the piece of black stove pipe to hide the flex liner.

 

[stoveliker]

The Sirocco is available in insert configuration, which avoids the (indeed real) issues of a thermostatic stove stuffed into an opening.

To the OP, this is the one I am referring to:

Sirocco 25 - Blaze King

The Sirocco 25 is a medium sized fireplace insert. At 2.3 cu. ft., the firebox will take up to a 22" log and can deliver warmth for up to 25 hours on low. The Sirocco 25 is very clean and efficient and can heat from 400 - 1,800 sq. ft. This flush insert extends to only 2.6 inches from the face...

www.blazeking.com

Osburn, PE, and others indeed also make great stoves. BK is a great and reliable brand too. The description on the website is (in my experience, for my BK freestander) not oversold.
I would give this a second look.

I should have phrased this in another way: I would give this one a second look, not because it is better than the others, but because I think it was dismissed with an incorrect argument (and it is, as the other inserts mentioned, a great insert as well).

What is better and worse depends on what you (or your significant other) need and like to look at.
All 2+ cu ft stoves should give you enough coals in the morning (and burn long enough thru the night) to help offset night heating cost. The BKs are often advertised with their long burn, but that is with a very low heat output (per hour). If one runs them at higher output, the advantage in that respect is gone. (Though at the low output range, the BTUs still offset your other heating energy bill, of course.)

There are other considerations: you have to buy a new catalytic converter every few years (depending on your burning habits); the low burn won't have flame (the normal and high burn does) - not an issue for overnight; the price is on the higher side (customer service is fantastic too); tax credit eligible (though others mentioned above will also be; not sure which are and which are not).

What is your chimney height? BKs really want 15 ft (when straight up) or more. Some others can run on 12 ft.

In general, make sure the liner in the chimney is insulated or that there is at least 2" from the outside (!) of the masonry of the chimney to any combustible (since the latter is almost never the case, an insulated liner is needed - for safety, code, and peace of mind).

Second, modern inserts/stoves all want dry wood (as in below 20% moisture content in the center of the wood). Fireplaces can burn more easily with wetter wood. You'll need to have wood stacked off the ground and preferably top covered for at least a year (and oak more than 1; 2 years is best for most, I am on a 3-year drying schedule), even if you bought it as "seasoned" - that is never dry (the running joke here is that seasoned means it was seasoned on the truck to your home...).

 

[awol42]

Yes. Already done. Seeing a lot of smoke issues with that one.

I want something that’s easy to work with and reliable. I know it always takes work to get started but once going but I want it to run awhile without issue and easy reload. I feel like if you look long enough on this website, you’ll find a negative review about every stove to turn you off. Feeling frustrated.

Follow up question about options....will I need electrical connection/outlet for anything? I'd like to avoid it if possible (also not sure how that works logistically if I'm sticking this within the existing fireplace. Assuming a blower has an electricity component. Thanks again

 

[begreen]

If the intent is to heat, then yes, a blower will make a large difference.

 

[EbS-P]

Follow up question about options....will I need electrical connection/outlet for anything? I'd like to avoid it if possible (also not sure how that works logistically if I'm sticking this within the existing fireplace. Assuming a blower has an electricity component. Thanks again

Yes. My cords just run across the hearth to a receptacle around the corner. Once I stop burning I just tuck it beside/behind the stove.

 

[BKVP]

Yes. Already done. Seeing a lot of smoke issues with that one.

I want something that’s easy to work with and reliable. I know it always takes work to get started but once going but I want it to run awhile without issue and easy reload. I feel like if you look long enough on this website, you’ll find a negative review about every stove to turn you off. Feeling frustrated.

Please keep in mind, negative reviews are often the result of substandard installations, operator error and fuel/loading issues. As manufacturer, I can assure you that all EPA Step 2 (meeting 2020 requirements) work when installed and operated and fueled correctly. Also keep in mind these forums are often where the "squeaky wheel" folks are sent to help validate manufacturer recommendations.
In short, they are concentrated here and other such forums.

I was meeting with EPA recently and they are now soliciting from manufacturers as to which models are freestanding and which are inserts. It seems that a very significant number of wood stove shoppers are looking at the EPA site for those units that are 75% overall efficient. The EPA list is the go to list. EPA assures me they will be adding an additional column to help consumers find the type of wood heater they are looking for (i.e. insert or freestanding). How soon this happens will depend upon manufacturer feedback.

Best of luck in your search.

BKVP

 

[awol42]

Please keep in mind, negative reviews are often the result of substandard installations, operator error and fuel/loading issues. As manufacturer, I can assure you that all EPA Step 2 (meeting 2020 requirements) work when installed and operated and fueled correctly. Also keep in mind these forums are often where the "squeaky wheel" folks are sent to help validate manufacturer recommendations.
In short, they are concentrated here and other such forums.

I was meeting with EPA recently and they are now soliciting from manufacturers as to which models are freestanding and which are inserts. It seems that a very significant number of wood stove shoppers are looking at the EPA site for those units that are 75% overall efficient. The EPA list is the go to list. EPA assures me they will be adding an additional column to help consumers find the type of wood heater they are looking for (i.e. insert or freestanding). How soon this happens will depend upon manufacturer feedback.

Best of luck in your search.

BKVP

Thanks. That’s helpful to know.

 

[begreen]

The other caveat is that forums tend to attract fanboys that will always claim their stove is best. Take that with a grain of salt. This is a good time to be looking. Taking time for a bit of advanced research is appropriate. This will help you discern between a truly knowledgeable stove shop and a stove salesperson that just walked off the used car lot and is blowing smoke.

The difference between 73% efficiency and 75% is insignificant and the tax credit is now limited to $2000 which over the lifetime of the stove that you will be living with amounts to maybe $100 a year. This last season there were reports of dealers that had stoves that qualified were jacking up the sales price accordingly. Caveat emptor. Get the stove that works the best for your specific space, needs, and aesthetics and is installed by a reputable pro.

 

[awol42]

The other caveat is that forums tend to attract fanboys that will always claim their stove is best. Take that with a grain of salt. This is a good time to be looking. Taking time for a bit of advanced research is appropriate. This will help you discern between a truly knowledgeable stove shop and a stove salesperson that just walked off the used car lot and is blowing smoke.

The difference between 73% efficiency and 75% is insignificant and the tax credit is now limited to $2000 which over the lifetime of the stove that you will be living with amounts to maybe $100 a year. This last season there were reports of dealers that had stoves that qualified were jacking up the sales price accordingly. Caveat emptor. Get the stove that works the best for your specific space, needs, and aesthetics and is installed by a reputable pro.

Thanks and I agree with the sentiment on the tax credit.

 

[mellow]

Can't say I have seen a setup like that before, got any pictures of inside the fireplace looking up at the chimney, and what kind of chimney does it have and how tall is it?

Have you checked with your Home Insurance to make sure they don't have any requirements you need to meet with that setup?

 

[awol42]

Can't say I have seen a setup like that before, got any pictures of inside the fireplace looking up at the chimney, and what kind of chimney does it have and how tall is it?

Pics attached. Not sure what kind it is. Room height is 12 feet, then insulation, roof, and 3 foot chimney out of flat roof.