Woodstock Fireview in Fireplace, Flex King Pro 5.5"

[ewdudley]

Just some notes on our recent install because "Wouldn't a wood stove be nice?". Install is into existing fireplace built 1973 I believe, all in good shape.

Flue tiles are 6.5x11.5 inch inside measurement, 20 feet of flue plus a couple feet of smoke shelf chamber. Did a trial pull with a piece of 3 foot piece of 6 inch pipe that made it through OK, so I figured 5.5 inch flex would be manageable. Went with Flex King because near as I can tell loose insulation is permissible should I choose to go that route.

Busted out cast iron damper frame and chipped out some of the smoke shelf to get enough of a straight shot.

Found a used Fireview on CL. Went catalytic because it's a small area to heat on an occasional basis, and from what I gather a small steady fire is easier to manage with a catalytic stove.

Plate is 12 gauge because that's what I had, it rests on the lip that the damper used to rest on and is held up in the back by a couple pieces of concrete blocking cut to fit. On top of plate is a piece of 1 inch foil-faced mineral wool cut to fit snug.

Rug is supposedly fireproof. Still need to add a shield for wooden mantel.

Thanks to all the folks here, I was able to take advantage of a lot of valuable experience and insight.

(Plenty of seasoned wood, but it's all 22 inches!)

 

[webbie]

Nice....you are probably not meeting code on that front clearance - rugs don't count, even if fireproof.

They call for minimum 8" in front - you can probably use a small strip of slate or something of that nature as long as it is somehow held in place. Or, a hearth extension stoveboard....like these...
http://www.amazon.com/Chimney-Plus-153014-Hearth-Extension/dp/B002TNQGYA/

 

[jeff_t]

Certainly does look nice.

Wouldn't a hearth extension need some R value for a Fireview?

 

[ewdudley]

Nice....you are probably not meeting code on that front clearance - rugs don't count, even if fireproof.

They call for minimum 8" in front - you can probably use a small strip of slate or something of that nature as long as it is somehow held in place. Or, a hearth extension stoveboard....like these...
http://www.amazon.com/Chimney-Plus-153014-Hearth-Extension/dp/B002TNQGYA/

I was afraid of that, the extension looks like just what I need.

They call out 6 inches for front clearance in the book (the door is on the side), but I don't know how old the book is. At any rate I've only got 3 inches so may as well go for plenty.

For the mantel and framing I was thinking I could use stamped steel with stand-offs, but the more I look at it I'm thinking we may need to replace the wood with non-combustibles.

In the meantime at least it improves the decor even if we don't get any heat out of it for a while.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Although you did not buy this stove from Woodstock, do not feel that you can't ask them for help. It looks pretty good except for that front.

 

[ewdudley]

Although you did not buy this stove from Woodstock, do not feel that you can't ask them for help. It looks pretty good except for that front.

You bet. Woodstock's reputation here didn't go unnoticed when I was looking for a stove. I was looking at taking it apart for a good cleaning this fall (before getting impatient and installing it) and was impressed with the quality of the fasteners, gasketing, and the general serviceability.

 

[Todd]

I burned my Fireview for a few years with a 5.5" liner and draft was great. You will love the stove.

 

[Woody Stover]

Found a used Fireview on CL.

You are gonna love that stove, so easy to run. Really puts out the heat when needed. What year is it? How much area are you aiming to heat?
Any signs of over-fire? I'm guessing 'no' if you've been reading here for a while. One great thing about the Woodstocks is that if you need parts, they won't cost you an arm and two legs.
Yeah, lotta good info here on the forums.
My SIL bought a used Fv quite a few years back. The cast combustor pan and combustor box were warped. We are working on some air leaks which don't allow her to run the stove as low as she would like, especially with over 20' of stack.

Nice....you are probably not meeting code on that front clearance - rugs don't count, even if fireproof.

They call for minimum 8" in front

It looks like he may have 8", measuring down diagonally from the frame to the edge of the brick. If his manual says 6" I think he's got that.

 

[rideau]

I had 8 inch with my Fireview, but wasn't happy with how warm the floor in front of that got. I always kept at least once sheepskin rug overlapping the hearth/floor. I'd go with more than 8 inches in front if I needed to add hearth protection, as you do. I'd be happier with 12 inches.

 

[Woody Stover]

I had 8 inch with my Fireview, but wasn't happy with how warm the floor in front of that got. I always kept at least once sheepskin rug overlapping the hearth/floor. I'd go with more than 8 inches in front if I needed to add hearth protection, as you do. I'd be happier with 12 inches.

I guess it depends how much heat you need out of it. The floor never got warm enough to make me uncomfortable but the way I generally ran, the stove top was usually 450 or below.

 

[ewdudley]

What year is it?

I don't know what year it is, I gather there should be something on the back that tells but I can't find anything. From the looks of the owner's manual (see photo) it must be at least twenty years old.

How much area are you aiming to heat?

Only heating 400 sq ft living room directly, looks like it will keep adjoining 400 sq ft bedroom above 60 degF with bedroom door open, which is about our preferred bedroom temperature. Just looking to improve comfort, add a little ambiance, and reduce coal consumption somewhat.

Any signs of over-fire? My SIL bought a used Fv quite a few years back. The cast combustor pan and combustor box were warped. We are working on some air leaks which don't allow her to run the stove as low as she would like, especially with over 20' of stack.

The previous owner (who went with a new pellet stove) had just replaced the upper guts. According to them Woodstock said the quality of their cast iron wasn't as good as it could have been when the stove was manufactured originally.

The stones in the top panel are cracked and fragile, so I assume it was over-fired or they're just plain wore out. I hope to replace them when I go through it.

(Does anyone know what the two hex head cap screws in the middle of the 'combustor pan' are for?)

 

[Todd]

Looks like the older 201 model. I think they were made prior to 1996? Still a great heater you have there.