Ignorant Novice--Used Lopi "Answer" Wood Insert Question

[MinnesotanBurner]

Hello,
I am new to this forum and hope to soon begin heating my home by burning wood.

I have been researching wood burning fireplace inserts for a few months now, and decided to save for a couple years before buying a new insert, and use my time to build up my wood supply.

However, I saw a post for a used Lopi "Answer" insert for about $400...
This could be a game changer for me!

However, I have learned the hard way that often times, things that seem too good to be true, often are.

Can anyone tell me what to look for when inspecting a used insert to minimize my risk of getting burned on something that won't function well?
Perhaps there is no way to tell until it is installed and I try to burn wood in it... I tried to attach some pictures incase anything is glaringly obvious to you guys, please let me know what you think!

The person selling this states that it is in "Super Good Condition"...I have zero know-how to tell if this is true or not, and hoped some people on this forum could let me know from the pictures:
1) is this in good shape? if not, is it fixable, any idea how much it would cost?
2) is this a bad make and model that I should stay away from?
3) what else to look for that is not pictured?

 

[crstrode]

Have you reviewd the owners manual for this model (Answer NT 1994 - 2004)?

 

[MinnesotanBurner]

Have you reviewed the owners manual for this model (Answer NT 1994 - 2004)?

I had not read this closely until you suggested it. Thank you!! It has a pretty good descriptions on what to inspect. However, being an analytical person with no experiance to draw from what do you think about the secondary air tubes that are pictured? the manual says, "Check the two air tubes and collars to make sure they are intact and notseverely deteriorated. Slight scaling or rusting of the metal is normal." would you consider the attached picture to be "slight scaling or rusting" or requiring replacement?

 

[gthomas785]

I had not read this closely until you suggested it. Thank you!! It has a pretty good descriptions on what to inspect. However, being an analytical person with no experiance to draw from what do you think about the secondary air tubes that are pictured? the manual says, "Check the two air tubes and collars to make sure they are intact and notseverely deteriorated. Slight scaling or rusting of the metal is normal." would you consider the attached picture to be "slight scaling or rusting" or requiring replacement?

The purpose of the tubes is to deliver secondary air in a relatively uniform pattern. I'd say if any of the holes are blocked by rust that cannot be cleaned out or if any new / enlarged holes have formed, it's time to replace the tubes.

 

[MinnesotanBurner]

The purpose of the tubes is to deliver secondary air in a relatively uniform pattern. I'd say if any of the holes are blocked by rust that cannot be cleaned out or if any new / enlarged holes have formed, it's time to replace the tubes.

Thank you!

 

[xman23]

What happened to the legs? I thought they were good stoves. I assume its not a cat, but don't know. I will cost a bit to replace. It's a little rough looking but it might be just cosmetic. Look carefully for cracks inside from over firing.
I see the fire bricks look to be in good shape. Not very blackened. Some holdup better than others.

 

[Sealcove]

What happened to the legs?

I was wondering what I was looking at. I have an Answer freestanding stove in my shop that I have had since new around 1999 or 2000. It looks identical to this minus the legs, and I would have assumed there would be some variation on the sides and back for an insert. Seeing the back label, it appears to be installable in either configuration.

This answer looks pretty clean as far as I can see in the images. Others have already noted the obvious points to look for. As a free standing stove, mine has been reliable for 25 years now with just a door gasket replacement. It had been in a smaller living space I had and now it is a shop stove for me. It’s a very simple unit. Sometimes the air control get sticky and needs lubrication, but aside from that and basic maintenance, there is little to go wrong aside from damage from misuse.

 

[DBoon]

It looks in reasonable shape, excepting the burn tubes (which somebody already pointed out). For $400 it is probably a pretty good risk if you don't mind the time and labor to move it to your location and install it. It uses a 6" flue pipe vertically connected, so if this doesn't work, any investment in the flue can most likely be used for another stove.