Woodburing Insert Installation -- Follow along

[btuser]

I did the same liner install and it ran me about $500 with insulation. I chose to insulate because my chimney's outside the wall of my house, and only about 15' tall so draft may have been an issue.

I've got to ask: What's with the block off plate on the bottom? If the top plate is sealed won't that stop any draft? I could see if you wanted cold air not to roll down when the fireplace isn't being used but was it just for cleaner install?

 

[blakesavage20]

Hey, I am literally about to buy this insert but I had one quick question for you. Is the blower attached on the front reversible? I was hoping to plug it in on the on the opposite side you have yours plugged in. I am still going to buy the insert regardless, but was just curious about the blower. Thanks.

 

[joe245]

blakesavage20, I put the same one in last week. The Drolet Escape 1400-I Nice little insert. And to answer you question, no it has a couple of little hooks on the blower that hook on to the front of the insert, so the plug and the switch are on the left. You cant flip it. And if you do get it don't forget the face plate, it is sold separately( from Northern Tool at least)

 

[joe245]

blakesavage20, I went back and look at the pics that he posted an it looked like the cord was coming out of the right and like I said my is on the left. So I went over and pulled the blower, It does come on the left but you are able to rewire the cord to the right side. The switch would be on the left. Sorry spoke to soon on the last post.

 

[yanksforever]

Very nice install...you put in a lot of work and saved a pretty penny doing it yourself. Best of Luck!

 

[blakesavage20]

Thanks a lot burningchunk, that is a lot of help. Do you really enjoy the insert? I know it is a cheaper insert, but it fits perfectly into my budget.

 

[joe245]

Like I said it's only been in a week and the weather has been that cold to get a good feel of it yet. But it seems like a good little stove. and if you are getting it from Northern it has a bunch of good reviews. Only wish it had a larger firebox (It was a house warming gift ) So in a few years ,maybe a upgrade but for now we are good to go and will have a better idea when the mercury drops.

 

[rhyano]

Yep, Joe is correct.

As the stove comes, the cord is on the left side. I re-located it to the right side because I had a more accessable outlet on that side. So yes the plug can come out either side.

I am truly amazed at this insert and for the money spent im very impressed. The heat output is downright intense where it becomes almost un-bearable in the room at its in. I use a box fan located on the opposite end of the house blowing into the room that the insert is in and that really balances the heat out. I am getting some good burn times on a full load of wood that were placed on hot coals too.

What are you guys getting for stove top temperatures during your burns?
On a reload of wood over hot coals I can get 600 degree stove top temperatures that then back down to 500 to 550 and stay there for a solid hour or so, then the stove starts to back down and after 3 hours I have a bed of hot coals and stove top temperatures of about 300- 350 at which time I can re-load. I have found that the sweet spot for turnign the air down is right aroune 7/8 closed. At that setting I can get solid secondary combustion and the longest burn times.


What kind of burn times have you gotten so far?
My record is 6 hours. After 6 hours the fan is still on however it was about ready to shut off as the stove had cooled down under 200 degrees. Inside I had a few small (golf ball) sized coals that I used to re-kindle the fire. To get this, the insert was loaded full upto the burn tubes with seasoned locust (~16-18%) With 2 large splits on the bottom then smaller ones on top. These were placed on a bed of hot locust coals. I let them ignite and char the wood with a solid firebox full of flames. I then backed the air down to 7/8 closed, and then went to bed.

Ryan

 

[joe245]

Ryan, I haven't really had the weather to really try it out, I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully the next couple of weeks and I'll get back to you on the temps. Let me ask, where are you placing the thermometer, is it on the 1/4 plate above the door or are you placing it it a different location

 

[rhyano]

Joe,

I am placing the thermometer on the stove top in the middle front of the 1/4" top plate. I have it slid all the way to the front.