Converting from stove back to open fireplace

[heffergm]

I've currently got a somewhat oversized Vermont Castings wood stove installed on the hearth of what was originally an open fireplace. I've been burning with it for the last ~6 years. It's vented out the back through a 90 elbow, into a 6" liner that runs all the way up the masonry (clay lined) chimney.

I want to get rid of the stove and convert it back to a standard open fireplace. My question is, to do so, other than putting a damper back on it, do I need to remove the liner? I would assume yes, which is going to be a giant PITA. Having watched it be put in originally, they really struggled to get it through (the chimney isn't a straight shot... it has a bit of a bend at the beginning).

Anything else I should consider?

Thanks!

 

[bholler]

I've currently got a somewhat oversized Vermont Castings wood stove installed on the hearth of what was originally an open fireplace. I've been burning with it for the last ~6 years. It's vented out the back through a 90 elbow, into a 6" liner that runs all the way up the masonry (clay lined) chimney.

I want to get rid of the stove and convert it back to a standard open fireplace. My question is, to do so, other than putting a damper back on it, do I need to remove the liner? I would assume yes, which is going to be a giant PITA. Having watched it be put in originally, they really struggled to get it through (the chimney isn't a straight shot... it has a bit of a bend at the beginning).

Anything else I should consider?

Thanks!

Why do you want to go back to an open fireplace? Have you considered a better stove?