Heat from a fireplace insert?

[farmeratheart]

Hi JFoy,

We, also, have a Quadrafire insert that we put in over 15 years ago. It has been our primary heat source for all of that time- usually burn 3 or 4 full cords. Most years we end up using about 100-125 gal of propane as supplemental heat from a gas furnace. Our fireplaces chimney has a 10" ceramic flue tile. When the stove was installed be put a double walled flex pipe, 6" diameter, right inside the existing flue. It has worked flawlessly.

Frank

Wow.. I had no idea these inserts could put out the heat like that. Now we just have to get the chimney fixed and decide on an insert.

Thanks to everyone.
JFoy

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I'm considering a gas fireplace and moving the pellet stove to the basement. Any recommendations on good brands? Want one that direct vents. When I built my house I poured foundation for a masonry fireplace, but only built it up to the hearth level. Everything is framed with a header to open a hole, but am thinking an insert type. I will have to build the box, there is already concrete for the insert to sit on. My pellet stove sits inside in front of where the fireplace would be. Other plan is a 2nd pellet stove for the basement.

 

[farmeratheart]

IT,

My favorite cleaner for fireplace glass when it gets sooty is damp wood ash itself. When I 1st heard about this 20 years ago- I found it hard to believe. Take a a paper towel and fold it over into fourths. Dip it into water and then wring out the excess- leaving it damp, but not dripping. Touch the dampened towel to some of the "clean" gray ash from the stove. Rub this moist ash right on the glass like it was scouring powder- in a sense it is! The soot will scour away and leave the glass sparkling clear. After all of the soot has been 'cut' by ash, the remainder can be wiped of the glass with a clean, dry paper towel. I have not used oven cleaner or other harsh cleaners on our stoves in years.

Try it!

Good Luck.

Frank

Our chimney too, wasn't built right. We have a heat-a-later (sp?) So the only way to have a fire without smoke in the room was to enclose it with glass doors. I ended up putting an airtight insert in the downstairs fireplace but kept the upstairs one with the glass doors.

What I like about it:

The view of a real fire, never the same twice.

I can burn stuff I can barely lift.

When we cut deadfall, I cut it into three foot pieces and stack it on the porch for immediate burning in the fireplace. It's very satisfying to get the warmth from wood you cut that day.

What I don't like:

I spent over an hour yesterday cleaning the glass from use over the holidays!

 

[dragoneggs]

IT,

My favorite cleaner for fireplace glass when it gets sooty is damp wood ash itself. When I 1st heard about this 20 years ago- I found it hard to believe. Take a a paper towel and fold it over into fourths. Dip it into water and then wring out the excess- leaving it damp, but not dripping. Touch the dampened towel to some of the "clean" gray ash from the stove. Rub this moist ash right on the glass like it was scouring powder- in a sense it is! The soot will scour away and leave the glass sparkling clear. After all of the soot has been 'cut' by ash, the remainder can be wiped of the glass with a clean, dry paper towel. I have not used oven cleaner or other harsh cleaners on our stoves in years.

Try it!

Good Luck.

Frank

What a great idea thanks for posting!

Oh ya, when cleaning out day old ashes don't set the metal pail ofn carpet overnight or even a couple hours. The carpet melts to the bucket and then has to be replaced/

Another great idea? :ashamed:

 

[Egon]

IT,

My favorite cleaner for fireplace glass when it gets sooty is damp wood ash itself. When I 1st heard about this 20 years ago- I found it hard to believe. Take a a paper towel and fold it over into fourths. Dip it into water and then wring out the excess- leaving it damp, but not dripping. Touch the dampened towel to some of the "clean" gray ash from the stove. Rub this moist ash right on the glass like it was scouring powder- in a sense it is! The soot will scour away and leave the glass sparkling clear. After all of the soot has been 'cut' by ash, the remainder can be wiped of the glass with a clean, dry paper towel. I have not used oven cleaner or other harsh cleaners on our stoves in years.

Try it!

Good Luck.

Frank

Your making Lye.

 

[jk96]

IT,

My favorite cleaner for fireplace glass when it gets sooty is damp wood ash itself. When I 1st heard about this 20 years ago- I found it hard to believe. Take a a paper towel and fold it over into fourths. Dip it into water and then wring out the excess- leaving it damp, but not dripping. Touch the dampened towel to some of the "clean" gray ash from the stove. Rub this moist ash right on the glass like it was scouring powder- in a sense it is! The soot will scour away and leave the glass sparkling clear. After all of the soot has been 'cut' by ash, the remainder can be wiped of the glass with a clean, dry paper towel. I have not used oven cleaner or other harsh cleaners on our stoves in years.

Try it!

Good Luck.

Frank

Frank this is exactly why I asked IT how he was cleaning his glass. This is my cleaner along with a small bowl with a little water and ash.

Scrub brush that's rough enough to cut the soot but doesn't harm the glass, a small bowl with a little water to dip it in, and ash. Takes about 60 seconds of scrubbing in a circular motion to cut the soot and turn everything into a black slurry. Wipe off with a paper towel. Spray with glass cleaner and wipe again one or two times and done. (foam glass cleaner works best) I found newspaper works but this cuts it all almost instantly. Even with a lot of soot.

 

[jk96]

Also while I can't argue of the convenience of gas. I really enjoy a real fire. Different view each time you burn, the sounds of the wood crackling, and ability to control the heat from a little to intense is hard to beat. Ours is cranked up as I type.

 

[hosspuller]

2016 will be 20 years of heating with wood. (Granted, it's the South) The insert & I have to work hard when the temp drops below 10 F degrees for several days. Rest of the time it's more than enough to keep it toasty warm. 15 of those years, we've used a Pacific Energy insert in a 1600 ft house. Vented with an insulated 6 inch flex pipe. It has a glass front. I thought, Nah it'll soot up and be useless... I'm impressed at how clean the glass stays. It does get a film build-up after a few days. A damp paper towel followed by a dry towel makes the glass almost disappear. I clean the chimney every three years. A nylon brush produces this ( pic)

 

[dragoneggs]

Also while I can't argue of the convenience of gas. I really enjoy a real fire. Different view each time you burn, the sounds of the wood crackling, and ability to control the heat from a little to intense is hard to beat. Ours is cranked up as I type.

Beautiful fireplace there JK... thinking your house must be quite beautiful and grand as well. :thumbsup:

 

[jcummins]

We have an open fireplace. Been here 4 years and never had a fire...because....past experiences just ain't good. Needs to be enclosed. Previous owner had a propane gas line run to the fireplace, never used. I checked on cost of a decent propane insert....$6500 once you add in proper flu piping/install/etc.

I'd love to have it, but cannot find anything reasonable. What's everyone else experience.