Chubby Installation Costs

Vonda · Post by **Vonda** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 1:14 pm

I am thinking about buying a chubby. I will probably buy the one that vents through ceiling.
I am wondering how much should I expect in installation costs. I am not putting it in my current fireplace so I will need a hearth. I live in Georgia and I know cost around the country varies but I can
But I can get an idea of what it would cost from you guys and gals. Thanks

warminmn · Post by **warminmn** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 1:56 pm

Here is how I did a my cheap install, but it did take some work. Mine is the smaller Chubby model. I Have a Small Chubby... Junior

Vonda · Post by **Vonda** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 2:14 pm

I will probably get a jr as well. But I'm not sure I'm up to your standards on installation. I'm a 5' 8 140 lbs woman, who knows nothing about carpentry. Plus I will need someone to install the chimney.

warminmn · Post by **warminmn** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 2:35 pm

If your not worried about the looks of installation, you can just lay down a piece of cement board and lay tin or put non flammable tile on it, sit the stove on it, and get a 24" tall sheet of tin and bend it into a circle shape for wall protection. your chimney will not be cheap if paying someone, but I don't know the amount. Good luck!

Vonda · Post by **Vonda** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 3:35 pm

Now that I can do. I can probably make it look pretty to boot

ASea · Post by **ASea** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 3:38 pm

Just curious, why not vent through the fireplace? I have a rear vent Chubby I installed on the hearth and ran stovepipe up into the flue and insulated it all with mineral wool. It took my son and I a few hours to install it.

Vonda · Post by **Vonda** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 3:47 pm

I am thinking the fireplace is not central. It is the first room to the right once you come in the front door. Also it is a coal burning fireplace. It may be to small. I don't know the size of the jr. I didn't see it on website

warminmn · Post by **warminmn** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 4:03 pm

Jr is about 28" tall. The outlet starts about 18" from the floor. its a 5" stove pipe outlet, so rises to about 23" from the floor. You can adapt the stove pipe to 6" or keep it at 5". I raised mine off the floor because Im tall, but it would be cuter sitting on the floor.

lowfog01 · Post by **lowfog01** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 4:38 pm

Hi Vonda,

What part of GA are you in? Have you identified a dependable source for coal? I ask because I'm originally from the Atlanta area and my Mom still lives in Blue Ridge - North GA. I spent quite a bit of time looking for a local coal source for her in the past and was unsuccessful. At that time, in order to make it financially feasible we would have had to order a truck load of coal at a minimum or drive north to pick it up ourselves. That issue maybe moot now since The Tractor Store is now offering coal at their stores. Maybe your local store would stock it if you asked.

We were looking for anthracite. Bit coal maybe available but it still would be a haul from the dealer to your stove. My suggestion would be to lock in the cost of coal, the type and source of coal that's available before you decide on a stove. You will need a stove designed to burn the type of coal which is available.

I'm not sure the Chubby can burn Bit. It will be very frustrating to try to burn bit in a stove not designed for it. The same as trying to burn coal in a stove designed to burn wood.

Another issue is the chimney. Many of the homes in GA are built with Class B chimneys that cannot stand up the heat of a coal fire. Those chimneys are meant for low heat wood fire, more for looks than heating up a house. With GA's typically warmer winters heavy duty chimneys just aren't needed. To burn coal you will need a Class A triple wall stainless steel chimney or a brick and mortar chimney? You will need to meet or exceed the stove's installation instructions and space setbacks to a T.

I would like to encourage you to use a coal burning stove to heat your house, but I want you to realize that you will face several obstacles to do so in GA. The biggest will be finding a dependable, cost efficient source of coal. With the cost of propane and natural gas today, you may find yourself spending more to heat your house with coal due to the cost of transportation.

I'm glad you found the forum early in your coal burning adventure. The folks here will be able to help you avoid the many pitfalls of getting up and burning. Don't hesitate to come back and ask any questions you may have. Lisa

warminmn · Post by **warminmn** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 4:47 pm

That was very good advice. Jr will burn wood ok with somewhat frequent feeding but I don't think it would burn bit coal very good.

tcalo · Post by **tcalo** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 5:04 pm

lowfog01 wrote:Another issue is the chimney. Many of the homes in GA are built with Class B chimneys that cannot stand up the heat of a coal fire. Those chimneys are meant for low heat wood fire, more for looks than heating up a house.

I'm not too familiar with chimney classes. I've burned both wood and coal and can say that my flue temps are MUCH lower burning coal than wood.

lowfog01 · Post by **lowfog01** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 5:31 pm

All I know is what I was told by a member here who is a fire fighter. He said he hated Class B chimneys because so many homeowners didn't understand the inherent dangers of that Class of chimney; they just can't handle the heat of a roaring wood fire or a coal fire. After I heard that I took a good look at my sister's Class B chimney and have to agree with his assessment. If you look at the installation instructions of coal stoves, all that I've seen specify a Class A chimney and that's my county code for whatever reason. Lisa

Vonda · Post by **Vonda** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 5:36 pm

I'm live in Atlanta, in a house that was built in 1903. The fireplace is a coal burning one. I just had the chimney redone because the previous owner cut them off at the roof line. I am current burning anthracite in an open fireplace. I have two source of anthracite coal. The main one is TSC. Funny thing the only TSC in Georgia that has nut anthracite is in Lagrange. The others have pea or rice. I can not remember.

grumpy · Post by **grumpy** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 5:41 pm

I am current burning anthracite in an open fireplace

How are you doing that? I never heard of that..

Vonda · Post by **Vonda** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 5:50 pm

Ky speed racer and some others on this forum taught me. It is basically the same as a chubby without the staying power (12 hours of heat) or the heat out put.
I use charcoal to lit the anthracite and then I layer it. One grate full will last about 7 to 9 hours .
I will try to find post and re post here.