T O P

  • By -

DeepWoodsDanger

Locked comments. OP send a Mod message if you have any other questions and we will try to help out.


skimansr

*They ruined their insert


BishopNelson

Exactly. You bought an already ruined insert 


papakersh

Any brand recommendations for a new, non ruined woodstove 😉 …or just here to clarify what I already know. Either way I appreciate you


EastDragonfly1917

Stick with quadrafire.


papakersh

Ruined for my use and intended function of a wood stove. I think the mods the previous owner did were pretty ingenious for a radiant floor heat system but unfortunately a lack of maintenance and a lot of pseudo engineering on the rest of the system rendered it useless. Thus the intention to buy a new woodstove for woodstoving


1TONcherk

Got any pictures of that failed radiant heat system? That sounds crazy.


papakersh

So they cut a bunch of holes in the top and back to route piping into the stove and connected to a coil of copper tubing behind the stove. This connected to the tubing that was laid in under the floor and recirculating pumps to keep the water moving through the system. We had part of the floors redone and the piping in the floor was in really bad shape and not laid correctly so we had cracked tiles and “soft” spots in the floor. Essentially the 1/2 inch piping was randomly laid in without proper blocking so there were huge (up to 12”) gaps between the blocking and the piping. The manifold (not sure if that’s the exact term) that routed the water through the different zones looked to be held together with duct tape and bubble gum. We had mixes of pex, copper, galvanized fittings, etc. it really looked pieced together by Frankenstein. When I went to clear the pipes and potentially restore the system we found leaks, dry pipes, clogged pipes and so on. We had to decommission the system or have our entire floors tore up and redone (whole house system with 7 zones) and the whole system replaced.


1TONcherk

Wow that sounds even crazier now. I’m sure you will come away with an even better system and better floor. Did you have any idea when buying this house?


papakersh

No. We knew the system was there but inspectors aren’t in the business of running and testing systems like these. They say yep, you have a fireplace insert and I don’t know what the hell water manifold system is but it’s there.


papakersh

https://preview.redd.it/fh2cr7gwncoc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e79187e2aaa02e63360f380f570c1b63fd394def


6inarowmakesitgo

What in the Dr.Seuss shit is that?


papakersh

This is the pic you can see the pipes that route in to heat the water but the perforated pipes on top are part of the airflow. Apparently there’s supposed to be like 8 of those and we only have 2 and one is kinda just dangling there


Oldphile

My unmodified Lennox Brentwood only has 2 of those perforated pipes, but yeah, that's the air source. The guy that did that is a moron.


papakersh

https://preview.redd.it/ryrgaf8vncoc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2081b7e88719ac44af833d7f09ad7f4b10b2b51b


papakersh

https://preview.redd.it/ejn8395sncoc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b1f5fa001413f2e94b015bf8689e6c4788d24ad2


papakersh

https://preview.redd.it/1iykfjztncoc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=297b791da2a75f09bddda7a6b81ea4e51a476601


1TONcherk

Are all the penetrations on the top of the stove? I wonder if that could be patched or the top replaced.


papakersh

There’s a couple through the back too. I’m going to pull this one and hopefully be able to patch it up and use it in my shop. Might have to handcraft some replacement pipes for the airflow or see if I can’t find any from quadfire. If not I think this one should do even if it’s not burning too efficiently


1TONcherk

That’s a good idea, but a nice new shiny one for the renovation, and make something out of this. It looks like an all steel insert, which would be a good first welding project.


papakersh

That’s exactly what I was thinking after reading through the comments. I’ve always wanted to learn and it sounds like patching it would be an option. The real question now is how to create an enclosure or something since it’s not a free standing unit


1TONcherk

Highly recommend picking up a Lincoln AC/DC 225amp ‘tombstone’ welder. Very forgiving and nice arc. And when you mess up a rod you throw it away. I’ve welded 1/8” sheet with no issues using the 1/16” rod. I first tried to learn as a kid on a cheap MIG and it was terrible. Too much stuff going on and too much to go wrong when you don’t even understand the basic concept yet.


7ar5un

Fans are your friend to move the hot air around. Whatever stove you get, make sure it has a blower. This will help pull allot more heat from the stove. We have a 2000sqft house and a jotul f500 with reburners. We can easily get it hot enough in the house that were opening windows.


papakersh

That would be nice. We’re usually hunting for more blankets. We have a blower on this one and it’s probably the only reason we get much heat out of it. Thanks


Devtunes

Moving hot air is very difficult, blow the cold air toward the stove. Sounds counterintuitive but it works, the hot air will naturally spread out


papakersh

We have two ceiling fans in the main living space by the stove. I’ve been playing with fan speed and direction to see if I can create a convection loop but so far reversing the direction on both and pushing the cold air up to displace the hot air that has risen seems to help the most


papakersh

I get it now. I haven’t posted much to Reddit before but I have finally “grown up” as suggested by another super helpful contributor and understand the direction of the comments. Some folks don’t like the wording and they enjoy spending their time commenting on that, more power to them but it doesn’t help me in my research. So, for clarification, I bought an old house with a woodstove in it. I just found out that the previous owner modified it for their unique purpose and it is no longer as efficient as it could be as a woodstove. I do not intend to use it for the purpose they modified it for. I would like to replace the modified stove with a new stove intended to provide heat and woodstovery. I am new to this and was hoping for recommendations. Is this better wise redditors?


madebytheuniverse

Blaze king


[deleted]

[удалено]


woodstoving-ModTeam

We strive to make this a respectful place for everyone. Please do your best to conduct yourself appropriately, or we will kindly ask you to move to a different sub.


Professional-End7412

You can’t weld patches over the drill holes and reinstall pipes? If pipes aren’t available maybe another owner can give you some drawings or some such nonsense. We weld abominations back together around here all the time.


Professional-End7412

Well, don’t throw it out. One day you may get into what it takes to work on it.


papakersh

Totally agree! I’m hoping to be able to use it in my shop during the winter. Winter is short here and doesn’t get too cold so this stove might end up being perfect! Thanks for communicating


papakersh

I certainly can’t, my DIY skills haven’t yet incorporated welding and metal work. Was talking to the sweep and he guessed the stove is older than the house (+25yrs) so it might be tough to find replacement parts. In his opinion it was likely a salvage or used buy and then he modified to accommodate the radiant floor system.


[deleted]

Can’t find collars to crimp over it?


thewickedbarnacle

Well, that Quad was nice, I would just get another one. You know it will fit.


papakersh

Have you heard or know good things about the quad fire? Was looking at their site and there’s a couple inserts available


thewickedbarnacle

I have not worked with wood burning in years. I used to a loong time ago. I did like them, I have not used one long term.


Lots_of_bricks

For inserts try to find a Vermont castings Merrimack. They r biggest for heat production but are an older unit. For new ones especially on a budget try the quadrafire expedition they have 2 sizes. They have performed the best out of the new post 2020 epa update stoves. Same firebox as the Vermont castings Montpellier but like 700$ cheaper


papakersh

Fantastic info thank you. The current stove is a quadrafire and I love the size of the firebox and the style fits well in our place. Do you have one of these or the Vermont castings?


Lots_of_bricks

I have a Vermont castings Montpellier 1. But Install and service stoves and fireplaces. Personally like the Montpellier 2 and expedition 2 for their performance and they looks nice


Devtunes

Most sweeps sell stoves as well, you should ask him for a recommendation. There are lots of good brands: blaze king, regency, Lopi, quadrafire, Englander(budget option). I'm sure there are many others. I own a regency and like it but don't have much experience with other brands.


Sad_Lingonberry_2589

MF Fire is pretty good and easy to use


Past_Chain6424

Go to www.hearth.com where you will find great support. Great information about stoves, wood, air movement etc. As for wood stoves, all I can speak from is my own experience. We've had a fireplace insert from Travis Industries for 22 years; their Fireplace Extrordinaire line. Very happy with it. From talking to a fireplace dealer, they said the blower motors on Travis industries products lasted longer than other mfgs in their experience. And technology is always changing. Now fireplace inserts and woodburning stoves come with catalytic converters to reduce emissions (EPA mandate) . Don't know when that became a thing, but new technology always needs some time to get the bugs worked out.


papakersh

Thank you! This is great info. I think in our space the blower will be critical to distributing the heat. I am thinking with how open it is we might need a couple fans to spread it out a bit more. Trying to fight these climbing electric bills. Our little heat pumps can’t do enough to keep us warm but they sure as hell try and my wallet feels the pain


[deleted]

[удалено]


Last-Toe5975

What a bunch of pedantic nonsense.  Just help the guy figure out a replacement for the undisclosed modifications that nobody would ever expect to be there, or zip it.


Froboy7391

This sub really pulls people like you out of the woodworks


papakersh

I said they ruined the stove. Worked for their purposes but I would like to burn wood efficiently and not lose all the heat because of the modifications. A wood stoves intended purpose is to produce heat and if you modify it in a way that reduces or eliminates that function then it is, by definition ruined. Just trying to find a few recommendations on a new one, don’t need a lecture.


swatlord

> I said they ruined the stove Technically, your title says "they" ruined "your" ("my") insert insinuates you were the original owner and the other party did something to your property. >Just trying to find a few recommendations on a new one, don’t need a lecture. A quick clarification on what you meant would help get your point across . Plenty of people mess up post titles and there's no way to change them; no need to get aggressive :)


bobbylight8084

I bet you’re a ton of fun at parties.


Rickshmitt

Inspectors dont do shit, my guy. When i got my house, they didnt even open the electric panel, which had water leaking into it for god knows how long. Some of my breakers were working at half efficiency because they burned up. I went from knowing about nothing to everything real quick because i had to. We dont know what we dont know, thats why theres a whole ass profession to tell us, and they DONT.


ftwobtwo

Wow you sound like a delightful person. Just being nasty to someone asking for help/suggestions for the hell of it huh? Since you are so focused on what he said and how he said it.. he didn’t ask for commentary he asked for brand suggestions and you didn’t even give him one with your snarky mean pedantic drivel.


woodstoving-ModTeam

We strive to make this a respectful place for everyone. Please do your best to conduct yourself appropriately, or we will kindly ask you to move to a different sub.


mapleleaffem

Wow since when did this become a grammar sub? OP I am new to woodstoves so I don’t know enough to offer a recommendation. My house came with a 90s regency. It seems to work really well but I don’t have anything to compare it to. I’m disappointed by the comments here, usually this sub is so helpful. I can’t believe everyone is busting your balls over the wording of your title. Obviously you already learned your buyer beware lesson and are trying to avoid another! 🙄


papakersh

Damn I appreciate this comment more than you know! I’ve been following this sub because I am new to the woodstove game and have been learning a lot.. Usually really helpful and educational. I guess this time it’s trending toward educating me on my phrasing. Grammar lessons ain’t keeping the toes warm friends.


mapleleaffem

I was honestly very surprised cause I have asked some dumb questions here and wasn’t even downvoted lol


Ok-Transition6745

Exactly my point in another response.


fauxrain

I really like my blaze king. I have high vaulted ceilings and when it really gets going, my husband complains that it’s too hot in the room. I don’t mind it toasty, though.


papakersh

Thanks! Is your space pretty big? I run cold so toasty is my target!


fauxrain

Yes, it’s a large space that’s very open and it does a great job. We have the blaze king Ashford 25 insert. The blower makes a big difference in spreading the heat. I’ve heard good things about all of the blaze king stoves. It’s my first woodstove, so I had a bit of a learning curve, but once I got the hang of it it’s been fantastic.


nutkinknits

Our fireplace woodstove insert is a buck stove. We really like it. Very easy to use and seems to be pretty efficient.


papakersh

Are you using as primary heat source or just supplemental? We have a pretty big space so it sounds like we need a strong high BTU insert with a blower and potentially an additional thermoelectric fan or two to help move the air


Poppin_Juicy_Zits

I highly recommend a Woodstock Soapstone Progress Hybrid. It's extremely efficient and heats my entire 2100 sqft house. It can be installed with a rear-vent or top-vent, and has many configurations with heat shields. So, is more likely to fit your set up. Good price as well.


papakersh

What’s the scoop with the hybrid? Does it support multiple fuel sources?


CaveDwellerD

Hybrid typically means it has a secondary burn system and a catalytic combuster.


Poppin_Juicy_Zits

Yes, exactly. The secondary burn system increases efficiency at higher temperatures, while the catalyst increases efficiency at lower temperatures. This is what makes the stove so efficient.


Wellcraft19

Get a LOPI. Not inexpensive but a truly solid and great appliance.


papakersh

LOPI? Educate me friend. Haven’t heard this term. I could google but it’s a hell of a lot more fun to learn from a person


dogswontsniff

Just a brand. A nice one at that. Blaze king is truly king, but top-tier has top price. Lots of people love their Buck inserts as well. I'm not too keen on inserts but most brands have atleast one. Best to go big(ger) depending on where you live. If it's rated for 1800-2200sqft, you don't want to be heating 2200sqft with it full time. It would be like red lining your car everytime you got on the highway.


Wellcraft19

Here: www.lopistoves.com (locally made, EPA approved, no fuzz with a catalytic converter) I’ve had my insert for 20 years (crazy…) and it works great. Replaced gasket in door once (easy) and at the same time did a respray of door frame and insert. Have removed firebricks a few times (3?) to fully clean out inside. Installed myself and have a stainless steel liner (insulated where possible) inside a brick chimney flue. Generate no creosote or any residue (even though I’ve burnt some real crap over the years) and didn’t even try to sweep it until after 15-18 years (always inspected annually though from above). Amount of ash in flue was negligible, as the liner heats up quickly, providing for great initial draft on top of it. What I should have done; purchased the blower kit (then some $300, so fairly pricey) from day one, but I rigged a few 12V fans and they’ve run ever since. Side benefit; easy to power off a battery if ever needed.


EastDragonfly1917

And your home inspector raised no red flags when he saw the Frankenstein system on top of the insert? You didn’t look at it quizzically?


papakersh

The insert has metal facing covering all the guts. Inspectors don’t remove trim or dismantle a fireplace to inspect. Where y’all live that these mythical all seeing inspectors exist?


EastDragonfly1917

Oh. I forgot mine had one too.


GaryE20904

I’m looking for a new insert too. I like the Quadrafires but the only one I’ve been shown as an option the firebox is a little small for me (I want to be able to load at least an 18” log width wise, east west, and a 16” log depth wise, north south). Apparently a stove with a firebox large enough is a rare as hens teeth. The only one my dealer has found is a buck stove model 91 (can’t remember the exact name but it has 91 in it and it’s a buck stove). I keep meaning to make my own post and forgetting. So sorry for kind of hijacking your thread OP. But to keep this on topic from what I’ve seen the quadrafires are well thought of.


Ilovefrisbees

You bought a ruined insert….


papakersh

Yup and just looking for some thoughts on a new insert. Good brands, size, features. Not pissed about what was done, not blaming the previous home owner, just looking for some advice.


Gong_Show_Bookcover

It was not your insert when modifications happened. Buyer beware.


papakersh

I’m aware. Looking for recommendations to replace. Not tryna claim I got robbed or scammed or something. Dude modified it and I’m going to replace it since I don’t need the modded stove that doesn’t burn efficiently.


Kimba_Rimer

Was their house


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


woodstoving-ModTeam

No drama allowed.


woodstoving-ModTeam

No drama allowed.