Returned the Napoleon S25i....... Too Big

[amkazen]

Hi,

I bought the Napoleon S25i insert but have to return it after the installer showed up this morning with it. The initial measurements were close but measure twice, cut once, correct? Well, re-measuring this morning with the fireplace doors out of the firebox opening shows the height of the firebox opening is about 1/2" too short on the right side of the firebox, The left side measures right about 23" but the left side is 22.5", with us being generous on both measurements, which is because the mason who built the fireplace in 1971 did not quite get the brick level over the approximately 72" width of the fireplace at the top of the firebox. The Napoleon just would not fit without removing the 2" thick stone on top of the hearth.

1) does the hearth actually have to be the same height to get the clearance in front of the insert? Is it possible to continue the front clearance to combustible at a lower height?

2) Anyone know of a good woodstove insert that will fit a firebox of" W-42", H-21.5", D-30" .

3) The insert can go on either side of the fireplace but the desire was to have it on the kitchen side. The family room is approximately. 13' from the brick to the opposite wall, and 19' long. A ceiling fan will be installed in that room in January.

TIA.

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Additional info if desired:

1) 16" of clearance in front of the hearth would be on two different levels. The top of the hearth is 13" high and ranges from 13.5" - 14" from the brickface to the edge of the 2" stone. There is another 48" of clearance in front of the fireplace. The initial thought was to replace the kitchen linoleum squares with the luxury vinyl planks so there would be the same flooring in the family room, dining room, kitchen, and hall. We can add tile just in front of the hearth if needed, we can tile the entire kitchen, or perhaps we could still use the luxury vinyl planks but put a non-combustible rug in front of the stove.

2) We do not mind if the stove sticks out completely on the hearth because that would then allow us to put a 12" cast iron dutch oven on top.

3) Pictures of current status of remodel: there is new brick on the dining room side (the now-removed sheetrock wall hid the unfinished side), The black stove will be replaced with a slide-in range to be located where the current walk-thru is to the one side of the stove - this will mean onbe will not be able to walk around the fireplace anymore.

 

[amkazen]

Ok, one question answered:

it does not matter if the front clearance is on the same level.... the 16" of front clearance can be on multiple levels beause it just matters about the heat coming off the front of the stove.

I believe I have my choices narrowed down to:

1) Alpine LE-1 : I like this insert because the depth of the insert on top of the hearth is adjustable, meaning how far the actual insert firebox can go into the existing fireplace box is adjustable. I can put th insert firebox in the fireplace 12 inches or 5 inches. This will allow a tea kettle or small dutch oven to be placed on top of the stove and also keep the heat outside in the room vs. inside the existing fireplace.

2) Ironstrike Performer C210: This has 8.75 inches of stove exposed so it can easily have a tea kettle or small dutch oven placed on top. But, I do not like the business model of only being able to work with the dealer, vs being able to call the factory.

 

[begreen]

Is it the hearth that is out of level or the lintel?

For a nice big fireview, take a look at the Lopi Medium Flush insert. It's 21.5" high.

 

[Wisco Shepherd]

I have the freestanding version of the Alpine (Aspen LE). It's a nice steel stove been happy with it. With the way you are likely going to install it it also makes for very easy bottom up chimney sweeping