Need help choosing a modern-looking stove for a fireplace installation – Part 1

[semipro]

We’re looking for a new modern-looking stove to install in our existing HeatForm/Heatilator fireplace and would like suggestions. We’re looking for a free-standing stove that will fit the space. We’ve identified only a few stoves that might meet our needs/wants. They are:

• Osburn Inspire
• Supreme Novo 24

Both of these units feature the ability to install them without a pedestal or legs (or a minimal one). We’re hoping to identify other stoves like these.

We also like the look of these inserts but would really prefer not to go with an insert for a variety of reasons

• Osburn Matrix
• Osburn Inspire
• Pacific Energy Neo 1.6
• Pacific Energy Neo 2.5
• Hearthstone Green Mountain 70

Background info:

We’re looking to replace the Jotol Oslo that’s been in service since 2009 on our 1st level great room. Link to the original install here which shows what our fireplace looks like.

The Oslo would get moved to the basement hearth where our pellet stove sits quietly (finally) now. After installing a new central HVAC in our house, we no longer plan to heat with pellets and can harvest cordwood from our property. The new wood stove will not be a primary source of heat but will get used often.

We want to avoid inserts because we don’t want convection fan noise and it may be challenging to fit a surround to our stone fireplace. We also like the look of the stone around a free-standing unit.

Musts for the new stove include:

• Modern look (like those stoves cited above)
• Ability to operate without a convection fan
• Accommodation for an outside air supply
• Great fire view
• EPA 2020
• 6” flue diameter
• Of course, it has to fit our existing space

Preferred features include:

• Thermostatically controlled and variable speed blower (if equipped with a blower)
• Ash lip
• Ash tray – we recognize this is a long shot. We really appreciate the one on the Oslo.

Other stoves/inserts that we’ve considered include the Blaze King Sirocco, Regency C12700, Lopi NexGen-Fyre, and Superior WCT4920. Unfortunately, none of these appear to support an outside air supply.

Thanks in advance for any input you can offer.

 

[begreen]

I would focus so much on insert or not. The convection fan makes a big difference in heat output, even for the preferred, freestanding models listed. Another option for an insert is to install it without the surround or with a custom surround that fits within the fireplace opening. Or... what about leaving the Oslo on the first floor and putting an insert in the basement?

 

[semipro]

I would focus so much on insert or not. The convection fan makes a big difference in heat output, even for the preferred, freestanding models listed. Another option for an insert is to install it without the surround or with a custom surround that fits within the fireplace opening. Or... what about leaving the Oslo on the first floor and putting an insert in the basement?

Heat output is not a primary concern and is not worth listening to a fan run and dealing with the much-increased maintenance a fan brings. From what I can tell many of the inserts don't look nice without top and side panels.
I have thought about the surround within the fireplace opening.
The basement has an open hearth and not a fireplace. The antique Oslo look does not fit our mid-century modern great room.
Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[begreen]

The Stuv 16 cube is a contemporary freestander. There is also the MF Fire Nova series.

 

[EbS-P]

The Oslo had short legs? So you need something under 28”? You are planning on top vented stove inside the the fireplace or out in front and punching a new hole?

 

[semipro]

The Oslo had short legs? So you need something under 28”? You are planning on top vented stove inside the the fireplace or out in front and punching a new hole?

Yes, the Oslo has the short legs and the peak of the masonry ark is at 29-in.
We plan to top vent. The Oslo now is top vented.

 

[EbS-P]

Choices will be slim with that height. Mf nova comes to mind. That’s not a recommendation just an option. Jotul f45 but I don’t like how you would have to clean it. So that would get scratched from my list.

Does Woodstock make one that short for hearth install?

Random thought could you just buy a clear front door for the F500?

 

[jbart]

I just installed an MF Fire Nova 2 on my hearth. I love the look of the stove and the viewing window is excellent. My only complaint with the stove is I cannot open the door when I have some good flames going without some smoke leaking out the top.

 

[semipro]

Choices will be slim with that height. Mf nova comes to mind. That’s not a recommendation just an option. Jotul f45 but I don’t like how you would have to clean it. So that would get scratched from my list.

Does Woodstock make one that short for hearth install?

Random thought could you just buy a clear front door for the F500?

I checked with Woodstock first and couldn't find a fit. I'd really like to move it to the basement hearth where it will fit in better.
I thought of trying to modernize the look of the F500 too. I don't think they offer a clear front door without the arches.

 

[EbS-P]

I checked with Woodstock first and couldn't find a fit. I'd really like to move it to the basement hearth where it will fit in better.
I thought of trying to modernize the look of the F500 too. I don't think they offer a clear front door without the arches.

They did have f500 v2 cf models. The cf stood for clean front

https://jotul-static-content.s3.amazonaws.com/usa/Current_Manuals/Wood/F500%20V2/139681_R06_Manual_F_500_NA_EPA.pdf

Was the Osborn inspire 2000 on the short base mentioned before?

 

[semipro]

Was the Osborn inspire 2000 on the short base mentioned before?

I believe so but I beginning to lose track a bit. Given that we're already starting our burning season here, and that the selection of tax credit-qualified stoves is so slim, we've decided to put this off until next year. Thanks for your input.

 

[EbS-P]

I believe so but I beginning to lose track a bit. Given that we're already starting our burning season here, and that the selection of tax credit-qualified stoves is so slim, we've decided to put this off until next year. Thanks for your input.

Selection should be better but prices, who knows. Higher I’m guessing.

 

[LittleMissMessy]

Hi - what did you decide on? Did you ever look into Rais?

 

[semipro]

Hi - what did you decide on? Did you ever look into Rais?

We decided to wait to see if anything more suitable comes along.
We did look at Rais but found nothing that would fit our hearth. Our favorite thus far is the Hearthstone Green Mountain series but they are hard to come by and would need to be modified to fit our application.

 

[LittleMissMessy]

Thanks - Did you see the Invicta Kazaan or the Arada Farringdon? Or this spartherm 600? As I go down the rabbit hole of modern wood stoves I keep discovering more options. The MF Novo is out for me now.

 

[EbS-P]

Thanks - Did you see the Invicta Kazaan or the Arada Farringdon? Or this spartherm 600? As I go down the rabbit hole of modern wood stoves I keep discovering more options. The MF Novo is out for me now.

Good luck getting any of those in the US. I didn’t recognize any of them. Look to be primarily foreign sold units.

 

[LittleMissMessy]

Good luck getting any of those in the US. I didn’t recognize any of them. Look to be primarily foreign sold units.

Yeah, I hear you. I don't think Dik Geurts is sold in US.