Shopping a used wood stove

[begreen]

So concrete is in contact with combustibles on the bottom side. I guess that doesn’t concern me as much if its just the hearth. concrete has an R of 0.95 per inch

I believe concrete is .095 per inch, not .95. It has to be pretty thick to protect. That is why no combustible underneath.

Sweep's Library - R Value of Hearth Materials

My wood stove requires floor protection with a certain R value. Where do I find this rating?

hearth.com

 

[begreen]

ound the Osburn for $600, Pacific Energy Artisan for $800obo(looks almost never used) and I found a Fireview for $800obo. As well as the Intrepid II for $100.

Do you mean a PE Alderlea T5 insert or freestanding? If it's an insert, that would be a very good solution.

 

[faultymechanics]

Do you mean a PE Alderlea T5 insert or freestanding? If it's an insert, that would be a very good solution.

It’s a freestanding and it’s an old unit I believe from 2000, just never got used.

 

[EbS-P]

I believe concrete is .095 per inch, not .95. It has to be pretty thick to protect. That is why no combustible underneath.

Sweep's Library - R Value of Hearth Materials

My wood stove requires floor protection with a certain R value. Where do I find this rating?

hearth.com

0.095 makes way more sense but here is the latest 1800i manual. They even list the K value as close to 1. So they messed up twice. That’s a pretty big mistake.

 

[faultymechanics]

Can anyone recommend an insert or usable freestanding stove that doesn’t need more than ember protection?

Seems like if I put anything in, I need to redo the hearth extension.

 

[begreen]

It’s a freestanding and it’s an old unit I believe from 2000, just never got used.

The Alderlea was not made then. Not sure what a PE Artisan is, but if it is a freestanding stove then it's probably too tall for this location.

 

[begreen]

0.095 makes way more sense but here is the latest 1800i manual. They even list the K value as close to 1. So they messed up twice. That’s a pretty big mistake.

Getting the decimal place wrong happens, it's not the first time.

 

[EbS-P]

Can anyone recommend an insert or usable freestanding stove that doesn’t need more than ember protection?

Seems like if I put anything in, I need to redo the hearth extension.

I think the jotul F400 and F500 and F45 only need ember. (But double check) With short legs they are about 26.? Inches tall. Both can top or rear vent. How tall is the opening? Most inserts with a flush hearth I have seen require R value. Glass is just too close to floor. Many stoves are ember only. There are others but to get one short enough they tend to get smaller.

 

[bholler]

I think the jotul F400 and F500 and F45 only need ember. (But double check) With short legs they are about 26.? Inches tall. Both can top or rear vent. How tall is the opening? Most inserts with a flush hearth I have seen require R value. Glass is just too close to floor. Many stoves are ember only. There are others but to get one short enough they tend to get smaller.

They have higher hearth requirements with short legs

 

[faultymechanics]

They have higher hearth requirements with short legs

I can’t even find the proper manual on their website to check. 43 documents and none seem to list those specifications, haha!

 

[faultymechanics]

So far I have only found the Intrepid II which seems to be capable of fitting in our hearth AND only requires ember protection due to the bottom heat shield that gets installed on the unit.

Small unit though but I could pull it about 2.5" out from inside our fireplace. Not sure if that will allow top loading though....although I believe our fireplace opening is around 3" if I remember correctly. That would leave about 6" above the stove which may allow top loading to work even inside the fireplace?

 

[EbS-P]

I can’t even find the proper manual on their website to check. 43 documents and none seem to list those specifications, haha!

Jøtul Manuals, Installation and Operational Instructions

View Jøtul user manuals and identification tools here. Wood stoves, gas fireplaces, inserts and more.

www.jotul.com

I don’t see any different requirements when short legs are used but the short legs are only mentioned in the hearth installed section.

F500 v2

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

F400 has some different wording and when bottom heat shield is used it only needs ember protection when as a free standing stove. Heat shield won’t effect the floor temps in front of the stove but the short legs would.

it’s my interpretation, take it for what it’s worth that when installed in a fireplace no r value is required for the 16” hearth in front of the stove. Short legs not in a fireplace is not mentioned.

 

[faultymechanics]

Jøtul Manuals, Installation and Operational Instructions

View Jøtul user manuals and identification tools here. Wood stoves, gas fireplaces, inserts and more.

www.jotul.com

I don’t see any different requirements when short legs are used but the short legs are only mentioned in the hearth installed section.

F500 v2

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

F400 has some different wording and when bottom heat shield is used it only needs ember protection when as a free standing stove. Heat shield won’t effect the floor temps in front of the stove but the short legs would.

it’s my interpretation, take it for what it’s worth that when installed in a fireplace no r value is required for the 16” hearth in front of the stove. Short legs not in a fireplace is not mentioned.

View attachment 281907

Is there a downside to using bottom heat shield? Does it reduce radiant heat that some could actually use depending on the composition of their hearth?

Perhaps this year we do the liner and I get the $100 Intrepid (If all checks out mechanically) and then we save up for a new Jotul...beautiful stoves but I NEVER see any for sale used. It's an option!

 

[faultymechanics]

Okay I'm finding a few more freestanding stoves that just need the ember protection...Drolet Columbia II could work too.

I personally prefer the look of a freestander in the hearth...the wife....not as much.

 

[EbS-P]

Is there a downside to using bottom heat shield? Does it reduce radiant heat that some could actually use depending on the composition of their hearth?

Not that I can think of. It might keep the ash drawer hotter.

beautiful stoves but I NEVER see any for sale used.

Probably not much this time of year. I passed up 4 this summer from Freeport ME to Boston and up to Laconia in the 2 week we were there. And a Blaze king inset.l. There were a few hearthstone soapstone stoves that came up that were short.

I’m just guessing that the intrepid is in about the same shape as your WW. For 100$ they just want it moved out. At a minimum it probably needs a new cat.

The new F500 just isn’t a proven design for what it costs. F400 isn’t for sale. That just leaves F45 and F55. Pricey as a backup heater.

I had to find a free standing stove in 2018 that was less than 28”. Had to be top vent didn’t want black. I spent a lot of time reading manuals. I didn’t like the insert look for this fireplace. Decided no catalytic converter. Choices were very few. Final choice was expensive. We will never make our money back even with free firewood. We would do it over again. It really looks nice and we really like a fire. Happy hunting.

 

[faultymechanics]

Not that I can think of. It might keep the ash drawer hotter.

Probably not much this time of year. I passed up 4 this summer from Freeport ME to Boston and up to Laconia in the 2 week we were there. And a Blaze king inset.l. There were a few hearthstone soapstone stoves that came up that were short.

I’m just guessing that the intrepid is in about the same shape as your WW. For 100$ they just want it moved out. At a minimum it probably needs a new cat.

The new F500 just isn’t a proven design for what it costs. F400 isn’t for sale. That just leaves F45 and F55. Pricey as a backup heater.

I had to find a free standing stove in 2018 that was less than 28”. Had to be top vent didn’t want black. I spent a lot of time reading manuals. I didn’t like the insert look for this fireplace. Decided no catalytic converter. Choices were very few. Final choice was expensive. We will never make our money back even with free firewood. We would do it over again. It really looks nice and we really like a fire. Happy hunting.

I’m checking out the intrepid this afternoon. Seller says it holds fire overnight and is only priced so low due to some chipping enamel. I know the seller somewhat so she’s honest, however, I doubt very knowledgeable on stoves.

I’m hoping I can see the cat and inspect it without disassembling the whole stove…I think I better bring a manual with me.

Definitely ready to walk away from a lot of stoves during this hunt. Drolet (899 on sale plus fed tax credit!) also ends up being an inexpensive option that could work…always a backup.

 

[faultymechanics]

Alrighty, checked out the Intrepid II, TOTALLY forgot to get model number of the back but seems to be a 90s model.

Externally it’s definitely chipped and rusty, well loved I’d say. Legs were quite wobbly but I’m guessing I can tighten that.

Inside seemed complete and I didn’t see any cracks or seams. The Cat looks to be quite usable, one side had some spots that were a bit worn but overall looked like it just needed cleaning.

The part I need help with is the refractory assembly. Is it supposed to be two pieces? One on top for easy removal to access the cat? Or is it cracked in two pieces? Photos below…let me know what you think.

Im sure it needs door gaskets too but that’s not super pricey.

 

[faultymechanics]

More information! I took the surround off my WinterWarm and have discovered quite a bit!



The floor of the fireplace seems to be bricks but at an angle and bigger than a common red brick. It also seems like this is a newer fireplace and chimney exterior(which makes sense, outside chimney looks fantastic(top is original but in excellent shape)). I’m thinking this may have all been done around the same time as the insert was purchased.

The hearth does slope down in the back but it is 26” deep, 30” tall and 42” wide.
After the 2” deep lip on the front it jumps to 34” tall and then slopes back and up.

I can say the people who put this in had no concern for safety, they didn’t have nearly enough space between top trim and the door of the WinterWarm. Yikes. I don’t even think the flex connector is still clipped into the WinterWarm….which was also over fired a ton!

Anyhow, I think I can move forward a bit. I am curious what you all think of the Intrepid; however, I have my eye on the Drolet Columbia II with legs.

Measures to 29” with the top hookup. Thinking I can shoehorn it in and have about 2.5” of poke out of the hearth (to keep 16”).

Thoughts? It’s front controls and loading so access should be okay, just sucks for the installer to hookup I’m sure.

Thank you all again so much for the help this far. Pretty sure I’m just about at the end of my adventure and boy have I learned a lot. Thank you again