Coal Stove Inserts

69dartgt · Post by **69dartgt** » Mon. Aug. 05, 2013 9:19 pm

I am looking at a ranch house that has a fireplace but it is raised off the floor and the hearth is only about 16" deep. What are you your suggestions for an insert or should I try to make a freestanding stove work? Wasn't sure how well inserts work (efficiency, reliability, etc.)

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Mon. Aug. 05, 2013 9:30 pm

Inserts can get the job done...but...

They are more so reliant on cheaply made electric fans operating in a very hostile environment to keep them going though.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Aug. 05, 2013 9:31 pm

My preference would be free standing---can you extend the hearth area?

Post by **franco b** » Mon. Aug. 05, 2013 9:49 pm

freetown fred wrote:My preference would be free standing---can you extend the hearth area?

Also there is the matter of getting at things to service and clean.

Blackrocks · Post by **Blackrocks** » Tue. Aug. 06, 2013 9:53 am

I have a Hitzer 503 insert ......heats my whole house (ranch) with no problems whatsoever...love it

Rick

Post by **ONEDOLLAR** » Tue. Aug. 06, 2013 10:21 am

A Chubby Jr will fit on the hearth with some room to spare. Not sure if a Chubby Sr will though. Both are awesome stoves with 12 to 16 hour burn times. A Crane Cooker will fit as well.

cowentz · Post by **cowentz** » Thu. Aug. 08, 2013 7:21 am

Another thing to keep in mind is you can't use a barometric damper on an insert (no room for it). In the winter I have strong winds and my chimney has very strong draft it is hard to regulate my stove with out it. I have a Harman Mark II sitting in front of my fireplace, but I have a 20" deep hearth. How big is the house? The Mark I might be a little shorter in depth. The Harman legs unbolt. I took mine off and made shorter ones to get the pipe low enough to go through the fireplace opening. I am rebuilding a hitzer 50-93 currently (with shortened legs) to take place of the harman.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Thu. Aug. 08, 2013 7:24 am

You're jumpin right to a big dog--NICE. You know we want some pix now that you've mentioned it.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Thu. Aug. 08, 2013 11:02 am

69dartgt wrote:I am looking at a ranch house that has a fireplace but it is raised off the floor and the hearth is only about 16" deep. What are you your suggestions for an insert or should I try to make a freestanding stove work? Wasn't sure how well inserts work (efficiency, reliability, etc.)

You could do a SEARCH on here and get some good reading on past discussions about inserts.