Wood stove within (not in front of) existing fireplace?

[basilseal]

Would very much appreciate anyone's help.

We have an existing masonry fireplace which we'd like to refit with a woodburning stove or insert. There are several inserts that fit the bill, but my wife and I both prefer the look of a freestanding stove.

That said, we'd want the freestanding stove to actually sit inside (or mostly inside) the existing firebox, which is 40" W, 28" H, and 22" D. I found several Jotul stoves that would clear under the 28" height, but they all note that they must be installed in front of the firebox itself -- which we'd prefer to avoid (even if it's more efficient).

My question is: are there any freestanding stoves that can properly be installed within an existing firebox? Or should we just resign ourselves to an insert.

Finally, recommendations for sellers/installers in the Chicago area would be welcome. Thank you!

 

[begreen]

What Jotul was being considered? 28" is a low lintel to clear. Also, installing a radiant stove in a fireplace can amount to a fair amount of heat loss to outdoors if this is an exterior wall fireplace.

One thing to think about is installing an insert without the surround.

 

[basilseal]

Thank you, begreen. Both the F445 and F500 have optional short legs that bring the height below 27". It is indeed an exterior wall fireplace.

I had not thought of the other option you propose. I wonder if any are "presentable" without the surround -- would appreciate hearing if anyone's done this!

 

[begreen]

@EbS-P has this style install and @bigealta has an F400 in the fireplace opening.

 

[stoveliker]

I think @Caw has something like that.

 

[EbS-P]

I have both F400 in all the way and an insert. The F400 looks better but the insert with no surround heats better. The F400 needs a blower sitting in the floor behind blowing up (both need block off plates).

 

[begreen]

I think @Caw has something like that.

Yes, I was looking for pics. Here is Caw's install.

Thread 'Preparing for the Season - Repairs and Cleaning'

Oct 6, 2024

The time has come to prepare for shoulder season which means replacing a few cracked firebricks in my Osburn 1600 insert. They broke mid season last year and still worked fine, any gaps fill with ash, but now is the time to replace them.

It was a bit of a pita getting the lower ones out, they were wedged in there pretty good with ash after 4 years. Once they were out I have it a good cleaning. I put two new ones in whole then I used my 4.5" angle grinder and masonry blade to cut the custom brick out of one of the replaced original full size bricks. I wish I had a bigger one to make one...

• Caw
• Replies: 0
• Forum: SBI: Century,Drolet,Osburn,Valcourt,Englander

• 

 

[basilseal]

Thanks very much, all. Glad to see this can be done.

 

[bigealta]

I’ve got a pretty big opening so lots of room for the f400 in the Interior chimney. I use a small fan on the floor to help push the colder floor air under, up and around the stove. Love this set up for my situation. Heats my cape house in NJ.

The 2nd pic shows the air purifier taking the place of the small floor fan.

And yes some of those splits are probably closer than they should be to the stove. They are on constant rotation.
But of course this is not recommended.

 

[basilseal]

That's the look we're going for, @bigealta

 

[Caw]

I'm very happy with my Osburn that you saw above. Quality product, reasonable pricing, great customer service. Id buy something from SBI again.

 

[Das Jugghead]

Would very much appreciate anyone's help.

We have an existing masonry fireplace which we'd like to refit with a woodburning stove or insert. There are several inserts that fit the bill, but my wife and I both prefer the look of a freestanding stove.

That said, we'd want the freestanding stove to actually sit inside (or mostly inside) the existing firebox, which is 40" W, 28" H, and 22" D. I found several Jotul stoves that would clear under the 28" height, but they all note that they must be installed in front of the firebox itself -- which we'd prefer to avoid (even if it's more efficient).

My question is: are there any freestanding stoves that can properly be installed within an existing firebox? Or should we just resign ourselves to an insert.

Finally, recommendations for sellers/installers in the Chicago area would be welcome. Thank you!

It can be done. I did it with a Pleasant Hearth 2417 with some significant modifications. Being on an exterior wall does rob heat and efficiency. Here are two threads regarding my experiences and modifications:

Thread 'Pleasant Hearth WS-2417 install/challenges/questions/observations'

Jan 2, 2019

A little background:

I purchased a Pleasant Hearth WS-2417 about two weeks ago from Menards on sale. It is my first EPA stove and I am a moderately experienced wood stove operator. It is installed in my fireplace and connected to an insulated flexible stainless steel liner. I installed the liner myself over a two day period replete with swearing of a magnitude unlike any I have uttered before. The chimney is on an exterior wall. Ultimately the insulation on the liner pulled loose somewhere in the flue and I was unable to advance the liner any further nor pull it back out. I was able...

• Das Jugghead
• Replies: 66
• Forum: Pleasant Hearth

Post in thread 'Pleasant Hearth WS 2417 Outside Air Intake Build'

Oct 20, 2020

When I reinstalled the stove and ran a couple of test runs I was surprised that it struggled to get and stay above 450 degrees. I traced the problem to my failure to reinstall the collar cover for where the flue thimble enters the top of the stove. I could actually hear air being sucked in there. Using some extra rock wool I filled the groove along the thimble and covered it with a collar secured with stainless steel band clamps. While there is rock wool sticking over the top of the collar the real meat and potatoes of this is hidden inside the collar where the gap or groove between...

• Das Jugghead

 

[Gearhead660]

I got a surround with my insert but removed it in short order. I painted the old fireplace flat black, but you could paint it any color. Or clean up the bricks for the natural look.

 

[basilseal]

Thanks to you all.

After all this, my wife has decided she wants an insert after all!

 

[crstrode]

Thanks to you all.

After all this, my wife has decided she wants an insert after all!

Listen to the boss.
I have a Blaze King Sirocco insert and after three complete seasons, I really love it. It looks nice, works very well, is neat and tidy, and is a wood miser. The big , wide, window is beautiful.

I didn't believe that a catalytic stove wold be my preference - until I used it for a few months. The "CAT" stoves are fantastic. Little, to no smoke goes out the stack, they squeeze a lot of heat from a little wood, and the chimney liner pipe stays very clean. I could probably put off cleaning for a season or two without any detrimental effects, but it is so easy I do it only once a year in the spring. I do the sweeping myself with an inexpensive flexible brush and a hand drill.

 

[kennyp2339]

Thanks to you all.

After all this, my wife has decided she wants an insert after all!

Thank god, nothing worse then taking a radiant stand alone box and shoving it into a masonry hole expecting it to function as is, can it work? sure, but your decreasing the capability of the unit.
Please look up block off plates for your install, and of course, an insulated liner.

 

[kborndale]

Thank god, nothing worse then taking a radiant stand alone box and shoving it into a masonry hole expecting it to function as is, can it work? sure, but your decreasing the capability of the unit.
Please look up block off plates for your install, and of course, an insulated liner.

And get your wood yesterday.

 

[FPX Dude]

I’ve got a pretty big opening so lots of room for the f400 in the Interior chimney. I use a small fan on the floor to help push the colder floor air under, up and around the stove. Love this set up for my situation. Heats my cape house in NJ.

The 2nd pic shows the air purifier taking the place of the small floor fan.

And yes some of those splits are probably closer than they should be to the stove. They are on constant rotation.
But of course this is not recommended.

View attachment 330550 View attachment 330551

luv the jenga stack