Advice on wood burning fireplace insert?

Bucknut · May 31, 2014

After that brutal winter I'm looking to buy a fireplace insert. I've read good things about Lopi stoves and the Buck model 91 looks great too. Was thinking it'd be nice if it protruded a little from the fireplace so as to give radiant heat and a small cooking surface in power outages.

Any wise words from experienced users? Brands or models to avoid? (I do need a large stove). Thanks in advance.

marlinspiker · Jun 6, 2014

i have a lopi. its my only source of heat and its never let me down.

craneguy1 · Jun 12, 2014

Stay away from any stove that needs to use a catalyst to meet the epa standards for emissions. Dont go with anything manufactured by appalacian stove. Our current model in the main shop 2400 sq/ft is a dutchwest size large non catalytic. My neighbor has had the same one in his house for about 3 years longer than we've had ours. It works awesome for him. Us too...but too much space to try and heat...we've had warping issues with it also but not anything like the Appalacian...plus dont have to buy $400 in catalysts every year.

Bucknut · Jun 12, 2014

Thanks craneguy. I actually was looking at some Appalachians. I'll stay away from them. See, the wife wants a "pretty" stove, I just want one that will melt our faces off and help with the electric bill.

craneguy1 · Jun 13, 2014

The dutchwest is rather modern looking stove. Vermont castings makes it...theyre online.

leenalee · Sep 10, 2014

Fireplace inserts have clear, high temperature proof glass doors.Only the
best Designs can circulate air within the firebox in a way that keep the
glass clean.

Bucknut · Sep 10, 2014

leenalee said:
Fireplace inserts have clear, high temperature proof glass doors.Only the
best Designs can circulate air within the firebox in a way that keep the
glass clean.

Thanks all. Just got a Lopi Freedom Bay insert last Sunday. Had to drive 5 hours each way to get it, but it looks great and is huge for an insert. Now I gotta buy the chimney liner and figure out how to move 500 lbs from my garage to my hearth.