Wood Insert or Freestanding Stove

[begreen]

Insert MUST have a nice sized glass door to view the fire

Also look at the Hearthstone Clydesdale.

 

[Pologuy9906]

love mine, no problems

Which brand and size? Likes dislikes? What's your space like?

 

[Pologuy9906]

 

[Pologuy9906]

Don't like the style of the Clydesdale. Too old looking. I saw a unit from fireplace extraordinaire.

 

[Dmitry]

Don't like the style of the Clydesdale. Too old looking. I saw a unit from fireplace extraordinaire.

Hey, I got fireplace extraordinary , flush Travis hybrid large. Might work for you. While not the longest burn time, it puts lot of heat and I think it's best looking insert with lot of options for faceplate. It has jacket around it , so no heat loss to your chimney. I assume its on exterior wall?
You won't need stove on second floor for sure. IMHO

 

[Pologuy9906]

Im slowly falling for the blaze king sirocco 25

 

[Pologuy9906]

Anyone do a self install?

 

[Dmitry]

Anyone do a self install?

Lot of people . If you can change oil or brakes in a car , than you can do it .with right materials and info about the job . Easy with inserts

 

[ddddddden]

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/how-to-install-a-wood-burning-fireplace-insert.147794/

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...ock-off-plate-for-a-masonry-fireplace.147679/

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/reline-a-masonry-chimney.147725/

Its opening 34+ x 25. . .

25” lintel height? The BK inserts are nearly 23” tall. Attaching the liner pipe to the stove’s flue collar with only ~ 2” clearance is going to be the tricky part. The Sirocco has a removable flue collar to make it easier. Nice big glass on the Sirocco too, but if the Princess will fit, I would go with the Princess’ larger firebox for your space. Unless your biomass boiler is heating the house just fine, and this insert is mostly for show,

I'd put the largest insert possible in the fireplace. . .

+1
Not many here regret installing a stove/insert, but many wish they had gone with a larger one.
OTOH, specs indicate that the Princess isn’t that much larger, 2.54 vs. 2.30 cu-ft firebox, and the trick removable flue collar on the Sirocco might make it worth it. If you cut your wood a bit shorter, and load North-South, maybe the Sirocco will hold enough wood. I dunno. The Sirocco’s firebox narrows toward the back, while the Princess’ is more square. Before buying, I would go and look at the 2 fireboxes and decide how much “usable space” is in there.

 

[Pologuy9906]

The princess doesn't fit our design plans. Flush mount or close to it. The Flex Fuel does an amazing job. This is the coldest room in the house. Lots of windows and high ceilings.

So far trying to decide between tthe following:
1. BK25
2. Fireplace Xtrordinair Large flush
3. Regency ci2600
4. PE Aderlea

 

[begreen]

Of those the PE Alderlea insert is the outlier. It's a great insert and very easy to clean and a good heater, but with a more traditional look and not flush. This is why I suggested looking at the slightly larger Enviro 1700 inserts like the Venice 1700. For a mor contemporary look in the PE line look at the Neo 2.5 insert.
http://enviro.com/products/catalogue/product/?prod=1700V-FPI
http://www.pacificenergy.net/products/wood/contemporary-inserts/neo-25-insert/
There's also the Osburn Matrix insert.
https://www.osburn-mfg.com/en/products/wood-inserts/matrix-wood-insert/

 

[Pologuy9906]

Like the look of the Osbourne and the PE Nero. Have to compare the output to the Fireplace Xtra and BK Sirocco 25.

Looking for long burn time option. Also bang for buck matters. Looking for a company with a solid unit that stands behind what they build.

 

[ddddddden]

BK is the, um, king of long burn times and the most efficient of the stoves listed. That said, if you’re after maximum BTU’s,

I'd put the largest insert possible in the fireplace. . .

. . .and you can’t just go by the mfr’s cu ft specs, you have to see a firebox to know how much wood you can stuff in there.

 

[begreen]

There are a lot of different ways to compare stoves and no one best stove. Some features are objective, some subjective. For some extra long burn time is paramount. For others, a great fireview and glass that stays clean is more important. Some folks are ok with E/W loaders while others prefer N/S loading for greater usable capacity and no worry about logs rolling against the glass. Folks that clean their own chimney like this to be an easy process and may select a stove based on that qualification. Some folks want the most heat, others want convenience. Check around your local area for the best dealer with regard to service. That is who is going to stand behind you if there is an issue. Not sure where you are in CT but the Preston Trading Post has been around for awhile and may be worth checking out. Black Swan is in New Milford.

 

[Pologuy9906]

BK is the, um, king of long burn times and the most efficient of the stoves listed. That said, if you’re after BTU’s,

Looking for the unit that gives the most nuts, flush as possible(BK25 not completely flush), long burn times, great product with a solid company behind it. Going to look at units on Saturday.

 

[begreen]

Regardless of choice, a modern stove requires fully seasoned wood to burn properly. In CT you'll want to have at least a few cords on hand. Note that most wood sold as seasoned - isn't. Hardwoods like white oak and hickory take at least a couple years dry time after it has been split and stacked. Ash can dry out in a year.

 

[Pologuy9906]

There are a lot of different ways to compare stoves and no one best stove. Some features are objective, some subjective. For some extra long burn time is paramount. For others, a great fireview and glass that stays clean is more important. Some folks are ok with E/W loaders while others prefer N/S loading for greater usable capacity and no worry about logs rolling against the glass. Folks that clean their own chimney like this to be an easy process and may select a stove based on that qualification. Some folks want the most heat, others want convenience. Check around your local area for the best dealer with regard to service. That is who is going to stand behind you if there is an issue. Not sure where you are in CT but the Preston Trading Post has been around for awhile and may be worth checking out. Black Swan is in New Milford.

Will do. I clean my own chimney. A large window is mandatory, I would want the most heat while satisifying the flushness and glass size.

 

[Pologuy9906]

I have a good supply of seasoned wood I split 1 to 2 years ago. Less than 15%

 

[Zack R]

Here's what my Jotul F45 looks like. Insert was too expensive in comparison and I like how it turned out, plus on these zero degree days it pumps out the heat!

 

[Pologuy9906]

I love the stand alone stoves. Unfortunately I couldn't do it. I have to either do the insert which makes sense or freestanding on the second floor loft.

 

[Carlv123]

+1 on the FireplaceX. My layout is similar to yours with 25 ft ceilings, loft upstairs and the opposite wall all glass. At 25 degrees, I run the blower at 1/4 speed and still get 72 degrees no problem.

 

[Pologuy9906]

+1 on the FireplaceX. My layout is similar to yours with 25 ft ceilings, loft upstairs and the opposite wall all glass. At 25 degrees, I run the blower at 1/4 speed and still get 72 degrees no problem.

Wow. How long are you able to maintain that temp on one full load with your scenario presented?

 

[Pologuy9906]

+1 on the FireplaceX. My layout is similar to yours with 25 ft ceilings, loft upstairs and the opposite wall all glass. At 25 degrees, I run the blower at 1/4 speed and still get 72 degrees no problem.

Would love to see some pictures

 

[Carlv123]

Here's a photo. the stairs lead to the loft upstairs.

As an example, I loaded the box at 11 last night, let it get up to 1000 on the cat thermometer and pulled the air back to 95 percent closed. It was 72 at the windows when I went to bed and this am at 8, it was 65 at the windows. If the blower was up higher it would maintain.

 

[Pologuy9906]

Here's a photo. the stairs lead to the loft upstairs.

As an example, I loaded the box at 11 last night, let it get up to 1000 on the cat thermometer and pulled the air back to 95 percent closed. It was 72 at the windows when I went to bed and this am at 8, it was 65 at the windows. If the blower was up higher it would maintain.

Did you need to reload this morning?