Fisher grandpa bear rear outlet to top outlet

[smstnsn]

Evening all,

Enjoyed the wealth of knowledge here and have a question I hope the experts can guide me on. Moved into a new house earlier this year that has what I believe is a grandpa bear insert. Actually may be a stove converted to an insert because when I pulled off the block off plate someone had left behind the 4 original legs for the stove that had been cut off. The stove was installed as a slammer and I would like to upgrade with a stainless liner but my problem is the stove is a rear outlet and my fireplace configuration doesn’t allow enough room for an 8” elbow. Best I can see my options are extend the fireplace hearth, find another stove, or convert to a top vent. Extending the hearth isn’t much of an option and I would hate to get rid of the stove. I’m a fairly handy fabricator so what is the general consensus on cutting out and welding in a new exhaust on the top cook surface? I’m sure I would lose some efficiency but outside of that am I asking for trouble? Thanks, Sam

 

[bholler]

Evening all,

Enjoyed the wealth of knowledge here and have a question I hope the experts can guide me on. Moved into a new house earlier this year that has what I believe is a grandpa bear insert. Actually may be a stove converted to an insert because when I pulled off the block off plate someone had left behind the 4 original legs for the stove that had been cut off. The stove was installed as a slammer and I would like to upgrade with a stainless liner but my problem is the stove is a rear outlet and my fireplace configuration doesn’t allow enough room for an 8” elbow. Best I can see my options are extend the fireplace hearth, find another stove, or convert to a top vent. Extending the hearth isn’t much of an option and I would hate to get rid of the stove. I’m a fairly handy fabricator so what is the general consensus on cutting out and welding in a new exhaust on the top cook surface? I’m sure I would lose some efficiency but outside of that am I asking for trouble? Thanks, Sam
View attachment 332091

Get an actual insert that is designed to work in a fireplace

 

[stoveliker]

Also the surround is not a block off plate.
A block off plate is used when there is a liner in the chimney, is a horizontal plate with a hole for the liner. It closes the chimney off from the fireplace so no cold air can sink down.

You'd be loosing some efficiency from an appliance that is already far behind a proper modern insert in terms of efficiency.

 

[coaly]

A Insert is a firebox like you have with an airspace between firebox and an outer shell. This allows a blower to remove heat by convection from the back, preventing uneven heating of the stove and prevent radiating rearward into the masonry, outside. (In an exterior wall hearth)

The hottest part of this stove being the upper top is not radiating into the room. This entire stove needs to radiate in all directions into the heated space.

When setting a stove into a hearth, good air circulation behind it is required with minimum clearances to non-combustible masonry to prevent overheating, warping and cracking welds. This UL Listed model had bottom and rear shielding with air intake and and outlet for airflow.

Time for an Insert.

 

[smstnsn]

I appreciate the responses! I’ll start researching inserts and plan to go that route. Good news is I can pull the stove out and repurpose it with a second life in the shop.

 

[smstnsn]

If the group will humor me once more I could use some input. I love the look of the fisher I have and I think I found a fisher full size insert for sale locally. Looks like it could use a little love but I’ve refinished one or two freestanding stoves in the past so that doesn’t concern me greatly. My question is can anyone confirm this is the insert and not the freestanding model and also what is the general concensus on these? I’m not using for primary heat source so efficiency isn’t a major concern for me.

 

[coaly]

Yes, that is a Fisher Fireplace Insert. The 3 holes across top is for a diverter plate to prevent hot air from rising under mantle. See pic on cover. (Uploaded last page first, so cover is last and printable)

Here is the manual;

https://www.hearth.com/images/uploads/fishinsertmanual.pdf

Big wood. Big heat. Capable of adding blowers on sides that blow out top slot.