Considering upgrading my fireplace insert

[Josh61513]

Hi All,

I currently have a Drolet Escape 1400i wood burning fireplace insert that i'm considering upgrading. It has been a solid stove for a great price and has been a good introduction to wood burning for me. But, this is my third season with it and i've come to realize its shortcomings. My home is a 2,050 sq. ft. ranch built in 1971, in central Michigan. It has standard fiberglass insulation in the walls but is now well insulated in the attic (over R-60). Not super air tight but not an old farmhouse either. I installed a stainless steel 6" liner with cap when I installed the stove, and the fireplace is centrally located in the house, no trouble with draft. I have added 24" worth of tile in front of the fireplace when I installed new flooring in the room (see pictures). The fireplace and opening is large, I have lots of clearance around the small Drolet.

My goal of the woodstove is to heat the house during the shoulder months (late September through November, March-May), and assist the natural gas boiler during the coldest months to save $$$. The hot water heat lends itself well to this because the house has 4 zones (3 upstairs) so I can heat the majority of the house with the stove and just use the boiler for the bedrooms overnight. Because the house is a large ranch without a particularly open floor plan it isn't realistic to try to heat the whole house without the room with the fireplace to be >80-85 degrees. The ambiance of the fire is nice as well, but not my primary reason.

The drolet has good heat output, nearly enough for the size of the house. It's rated at ~50k BTU which would be enough to heat the house except for January/February if its heat output was more consistent. Therein lies the problem-the firebox is only 1.8 cubic ft. so I can only fit 3-4 decent size splits (E/W) at a time. Getting a decent overnight burn is difficult, 5-6 hours is about the limit to have enough coals to quickly restart a fire and not let the stove get cold enough for the thermostat controlled blower to shut off. It also doesn't have much height to hold ash (bigger problem when I'm burning Ash wood!).

So, i'm looking for suggestions for a good value insert with longer burn times. I work ~8-5 every day so I'd like to be able to load the stove before bed (7-8 hours) and have decent heat output overnight, restoke/reload while I'm getting ready in the morning and last for 9-10 hours until I get home to reload again. Given the option I'd prefer to not have a cat stove but if that's required to get the 9+ hour burn times then I would consider it.

Thanks for all feedback,
-Josh

 

[DAKSY]

There are a number of units out there that will burn hotter & longer,
but without knowing what size your existing fire place opening is,
we have no way of telling you which to choose.
Need the height front & back; width front & back & depth front to back...

 

[fredarm]

PE Summit Insert if it will fit. What are your fireplace dimensions?

 

[Clarkbar2311]

Your problem lies just right of the fireplace. That OSU trash can..if it's not used as a diaper pail it will create a heatsink and destroy the effectiveness of your stove.

 

[Josh61513]

The OSU trashcan is certainly NOT the problem! But thanks

The fireplace opening is largest right at the hearth, it gets narrower and shorter toward the back. It's 42.5" wide at the front/32" at the rear, 24" tall, 23" deep at the bottom/19" deep at the top. The PE Summit insert looks very nice but it looks like it's ~$2,400 online + s/h. The regular Summit looks more reasonably priced at ~$1,800 +s/h but i'm not sure if I could use that in my fireplace opening? I already have a 6" SS liner but I would have to extend it somehow down to a "T" to turn toward the stove I think?

Price is a concern as my primary use is to save $ and more investment means longer payback. But it can't be ugly! Hehe

 

[gohabsgo]

You may want to look at the Osburn 2400 insert. This is the largest in the Osburn range. Seems like it would fit your opening fairly easy. This insert has a +3.0 cubic foot firebox. It will reach the burn time you are looking for. It also looks very good (but that's very personal...).

 

[krex1010]

I have been impressed with the pacific energy stove I bought. I think it's a good brand and the price is reasonable. The Napoleon 1402 insert is a step up sizewise from what you have and they make a good product at a pretty reasonable price as well.
And as for that OSU trash can, I bet being up in Michigan most people just let that slide right?

 

[geonev1]

would you consider selling your current wood stove? im looking for a beginner stove

 

[begreen]

A 3 cu ft Pacific Energy, Regency or Osburn would do the job well.

 

[dafattkidd]

Hey Josh, I have a similar journey as you. I started out with a Napoleon 1101 insert. I was really happy with the improved feel of my house and love burning wood, but needed a bit more firepower to keep up with low temps. I originally was going to upgrade to the Napoleon 1402, but for a couple hundred bucks more I got a 3.2 cf firebox in the Osburn 2400. This was the largest unit I could fit in my fireplace for the lowest cost at the time.

I got mine at www.dynamitebuys.com. They were super helpful and pleasant to do business with. There is also a guy local to me at http://www.osburnwoodstoves.com. His name is Jack. I've spoken to him a couple times, and I'm ordering some stuff from him. He seems like a nice guy. I didn't price check either of these sites recently, but I figured I throw this info at you and you can do as you wish with it.

The 2400 is puts out a lot of heat. We have been very happy with this unit. Upgrading from 1.7 cf to 3.2 cf is NIGHT AND DAY. It was a great move for me. I'm not saying it's the best stove, I'm just saying its been great for us. Long burns, tons of heat, the ability to burn 20" NS and 23 EW.

Anyway, I hope that's helpful. Good luck!

 

[Bigg_Redd]

So far no one has recommended a Jotul or VC insert, so I'm going to keep that going and not recommend Jotul or VC.

 

[Swedishchef]

So far no one has recommended a Jotul or VC insert, so I'm going to keep that going and not recommend Jotul or VC.

The OP did state "Price is a concern as my primary use is to save $ and more investment means longer payback." And I am pretty sure that Jotul are one of the most expensive stoves on the market.
But they are damn nice!

Andrew

 

[F4jock]

Hi All,

I currently have a Drolet Escape 1400i wood burning fireplace insert that i'm considering upgrading. It has been a solid stove for a great price and has been a good introduction to wood burning for me. But, this is my third season with it and i've come to realize its shortcomings. My home is a 2,050 sq. ft. ranch built in 1971, in central Michigan. It has standard fiberglass insulation in the walls but is now well insulated in the attic (over R-60). Not super air tight but not an old farmhouse either. I installed a stainless steel 6" liner with cap when I installed the stove, and the fireplace is centrally located in the house, no trouble with draft. I have added 24" worth of tile in front of the fireplace when I installed new flooring in the room (see pictures). The fireplace and opening is large, I have lots of clearance around the small Drolet.

My goal of the woodstove is to heat the house during the shoulder months (late September through November, March-May), and assist the natural gas boiler during the coldest months to save $$$. The hot water heat lends itself well to this because the house has 4 zones (3 upstairs) so I can heat the majority of the house with the stove and just use the boiler for the bedrooms overnight. Because the house is a large ranch without a particularly open floor plan it isn't realistic to try to heat the whole house without the room with the fireplace to be >80-85 degrees. The ambiance of the fire is nice as well, but not my primary reason.

The drolet has good heat output, nearly enough for the size of the house. It's rated at ~50k BTU which would be enough to heat the house except for January/February if its heat output was more consistent. Therein lies the problem-the firebox is only 1.8 cubic ft. so I can only fit 3-4 decent size splits (E/W) at a time. Getting a decent overnight burn is difficult, 5-6 hours is about the limit to have enough coals to quickly restart a fire and not let the stove get cold enough for the thermostat controlled blower to shut off. It also doesn't have much height to hold ash (bigger problem when I'm burning Ash wood!).

So, i'm looking for suggestions for a good value insert with longer burn times. I work ~8-5 every day so I'd like to be able to load the stove before bed (7-8 hours) and have decent heat output overnight, restoke/reload while I'm getting ready in the morning and last for 9-10 hours until I get home to reload again. Given the option I'd prefer to not have a cat stove but if that's required to get the 9+ hour burn times then I would consider it.

Thanks for all feedback,
-Josh

If you want a hassle -free overnight burn I'm curious why you don't go pellet with something like a big Harman? If cost is a major factor I hear Englanders are a good stove as well. I have ten acres of woods to draw on but after having a pellet unit with all what I consider its advantages, wouldn't go back to wood. Not trying to dissuade you from wood, just curious.

 

[prezes13]

I know that money is concern for you but nothing can beat bk for long controled burn. Would you like to buy two years old lopi cape cod? LOL

 

[pdxdave]

Hi All,

I currently have a Drolet Escape 1400i wood burning fireplace insert that i'm considering upgrading. It has been a solid stove for a great price and has been a good introduction to wood burning for me. But, this is my third season with it and i've come to realize its shortcomings. My home is a 2,050 sq. ft. ranch built in 1971, in central Michigan. It has standard fiberglass insulation in the walls but is now well insulated in the attic (over R-60). Not super air tight but not an old farmhouse either. I installed a stainless steel 6" liner with cap when I installed the stove, and the fireplace is centrally located in the house, no trouble with draft. I have added 24" worth of tile in front of the fireplace when I installed new flooring in the room (see pictures). The fireplace and opening is large, I have lots of clearance around the small Drolet.

My goal of the woodstove is to heat the house during the shoulder months (late September through November, March-May), and assist the natural gas boiler during the coldest months to save $$$. The hot water heat lends itself well to this because the house has 4 zones (3 upstairs) so I can heat the majority of the house with the stove and just use the boiler for the bedrooms overnight. Because the house is a large ranch without a particularly open floor plan it isn't realistic to try to heat the whole house without the room with the fireplace to be >80-85 degrees. The ambiance of the fire is nice as well, but not my primary reason.

The drolet has good heat output, nearly enough for the size of the house. It's rated at ~50k BTU which would be enough to heat the house except for January/February if its heat output was more consistent. Therein lies the problem-the firebox is only 1.8 cubic ft. so I can only fit 3-4 decent size splits (E/W) at a time. Getting a decent overnight burn is difficult, 5-6 hours is about the limit to have enough coals to quickly restart a fire and not let the stove get cold enough for the thermostat controlled blower to shut off. It also doesn't have much height to hold ash (bigger problem when I'm burning Ash wood!).

So, i'm looking for suggestions for a good value insert with longer burn times. I work ~8-5 every day so I'd like to be able to load the stove before bed (7-8 hours) and have decent heat output overnight, restoke/reload while I'm getting ready in the morning and last for 9-10 hours until I get home to reload again. Given the option I'd prefer to not have a cat stove but if that's required to get the 9+ hour burn times then I would consider it.

Thanks for all feedback,
-Josh

I know you've specified insert, but I think at the end of the day you'll need a freestander to really be happy. I've gone through years of heartache with my insert (Lopi Declaration) having the same issues with lack of heat and short burn times, and finally said screw it, and I've got an Woodstock Ideal Steel on order and cant wait to replace the insert with something that can roast us for hours on end. With the rear vent you can hook it right into your existing liner with a T. Convincing the wife that this was a good idea was the big hurdle. Somehow I got past that I still have no idea how.

 

[begreen]

Sorry that it didn't work out Dave, but I am sure that the Summit for example will do the job well. It is the same firebox as the freestander, designed and made here (BC) for NW wood burning. We get regular 8-10 hr burns from this firebox. That said, the Ideal Steel is an interesting alternative if acceptable.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

The OP did state "Price is a concern as my primary use is to save $ and more investment means longer payback." And I am pretty sure that Jotul are one of the most expensive stoves on the market.
But they are damn nice!

Andrew

That is not my experience with Jotul inserts

 

[Bigg_Redd]

I know you've specified insert, but I think at the end of the day you'll need a freestander to really be happy.

I know many people who heat with an insert and with the exception of my parents and their Jotul 550 they all do just fine

 

[pdxdave]

Sorry that it didn't work out Dave, but I am sure that the Summit for example will do the job well. It is the same firebox as the freestander, designed and made here (BC) for NW wood burning. We get regular 8-10 hr burns from this firebox. That said, the Ideal Steel is an interesting alternative if acceptable.

Unfortunately the Summitt along with BK princess and a pile of other quality units are a hair to tall for my fireplace, and I'd rather not starting into the tiles/bricks.

 

[pdxdave]

I know many people who heat with an insert and with the exception of my parents and their Jotul 550 they all do just fine

Could be, I just see alot of complaints in general about lack of heat in general. I believe my insert is also an exceptionally poor performer so that is definately a contributing factor.

 

[dafattkidd]

Could be, I just see alot of complaints in general about lack of heat in general. I believe my insert is also an exceptionally poor performer so that is definately a contributing factor.

Red makes a good point. I've had two inserts and have had great success heating a very drafty house in seriously cold temps. There are several members on this forum who will site the same success. That being said, obviously you're more comfortable and confident with a freestanding unit. Based in reviews, Woodstock are a top notch company with excellent customer service. I hope the Ideal Steel works out for you.

I'm curious where the OP is leaning and if this thread has proven to be helpful to him.

 

[beanhole]

The OP did state "Price is a concern as my primary use is to save $ and more investment means longer payback." And I am pretty sure that Jotul are one of the most expensive stoves on the market.
But they are damn nice!

Andrew

New to this forum. Purchased a Osburn 2000 which replaced an old Heritage. We are disappointed. We went too small. Would love to upgrade to the 2400. Has anyone tried to sell a basically brand new insert (used one month) on Kijiji, etc? I am surprised that we are unable to exchange where we purchased from. How are you supposed to find out if you are satisfied with a unit if you can't try it out???? Any help would be appreciated. We are in Southern Ontario, attempting to heat 2500' home in the country.

 

[beanhole]

would you consider selling your current wood stove? im looking for a beginner stove

How about a 2000 Osburn, not quite 1 month old. Excellent insert but a little small for our needs. Contact me if you are interested.