Wood burning fireplace inserts

We are in the process of opening up a fireplace and preparing it to install a wood-burning stove insert, and re-install the original slate mantle. I’ve been looking at the Vermont Castings Winterwarm inserts, which I seem to remember people on the forum having used before. Until the fireplace is opened, it won’t be clear exactly how big the firebox will be, but it seems to me almost a given that the insert will be too big to fit into the original cast iron surround. Given that, I’m having trouble visualising how the insert will “mesh” with the original mantle. Anyone who has done this have any experiences you would like to share? Reassurance? I’m a little freaked out right now, that I can’t visualise the end result…

zil

in Fire 13 years and 6 months ago

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brucef | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Zil, We do it all the time in NJ. But we are not licensed in NYC. Maybe someone knows? I seem to recall that the tubing kits come in 15′ and 30′ lengths, and we usually have our tinsmith fabricate a better top flange to fit snugly onto the terra cotta sticking out the last inch. The install kits come with a flashing, but we like to do it once, and never have to look at it again. You’ll need a gas line plumbed into the opening (last two feet will be flexible), and an electric outlet nearby (for the fan) They operate without electricity, which is important in the sticks because we lose power so often. http://www.empirecomfort.com/EMPIRECOMFORT/Fireplaces/TahoeDVDseries.asp is who we usually install, but I do not know if they are approved in NYC.

hancockone | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Brucef in Cobble Hill, do you know of any one locally who can install the gas inserts with the two stainless vent pipes? Everyone I spoke too only wants to open and reline the chimney with steel. Thanks for any info.

pigthree | 13 years and 6 months ago

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they are not way too shallow for a wood insert.  have yet to see one anywhere in NYC.  wood is cheaper that natural gas.  and with new stoves, particulate matter is not an issue.  wood is sustainable.  frack your natural gas.

wyckoff | 13 years and 6 months ago

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A lot of the fireplaces in brownstones were designed to burn coal, and are way too shallow for wood.  If you have that situation, you are going to have to go with gas.   Benefit is a cleaner burn; http://www.ehhi.org/woodsmoke/health_effects.shtml

brucef | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Just a suggestion. Look at gas inserts. Look is similar, convenience is very different. Chimney requirements are very different. Insert or wood stove captures efficiency by throttling air mixture, reducing flue draft temperaure. The draw back is the creosote buildup in the flue, which must be maintained yearly to prevent chimney fire. Conversely a wood fire in an unsurrounded firebox burns so hot there is little build-up. Gas insert is quite efficient, but uses two stainless pipes or one concentric, a heck of a lot cheaper than relining a flue, which you’ll need for a wood stove. (Unless you luck out with stainless sections dropped in the flue.

pigthree | 13 years and 6 months ago

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winter warm small or morso has a small insert as well.  the depth is the issue.  might have to build out the mantle.  how it will mesh is up to you.  brick, stone, steel.  start looking at images on line for ideas.