Ready for a fireplace insert...

I haven't posted here in a LONG time but I am finally at a point where I need some help

We had a big earthquake here in Alaska on Friday morning and our house sustained some damage

Most was damaged personal items but there is some hopefully minor structural damage as well

And...

The wretched gas insert my wife had installed when we bought the house fell out AGAIN (happened a few years back on the last big shake) and I have finally convinced her it needs to go and a modern wood burner insert needs to go in the fireplace

So tell me what Information I need to give you guys so you can steer me in the right direction

I do NOT want to leave this up to her or we will end up with something CUTE and totally non functional

Thanks

Michael

 

Glad to hear you're okay. Possessions can be replaced. Your health cannot.

As far as the insert goes I'm sure someone will be along that has more experience than I do in these matters.

I know I hear a lot of good things about the Woodstock stoves and customer service. Not sure what shipping to Alaska would be like...

 

X2^^^

Can't offer insert advice either, but glad you and your family are good.

 

Thanks guys

Yeah a lot of it will most likely come down to what is available in Alaska

Shipping would likely double the cost

I will start doing my homework and hopefully will know enough to make smart choices when the time comes to buy

 

Good to know and I will certainly follow up on it

Thanks

 

Whether its a gas insert or a wood stove insert.....get that thing anchored! You sure don't want the wood insert to jiggle out with coals in it!!!

BTW, I'll be watching this thread with interest as I may be in the market for an insert too.

I've peeked at the drolet and also the century line-ups.

 

Hey Horkn ..........you use an insert, no?

 

I have a Buck Stove insert and I love it. But the first thing that came to mind when you said it would come down to what was available in Alaska was a Blaze King Princess as I know Bogy Dave on here just got a new Blaze King stove up there. Buck Stove may have a dealer up there, I did not look.

 

It supposedly was when they serviced it after the last shake

The wife was retired by then and was at home when they came and did whatever they did for almost $500.00

That was one thing I told her HAD to happen... apparently it didn't

Part of the issue is the decorative add on front that probably weighs 60-70 pounds extra

Heavy plate and lots of glass

And all hanging out past the center of gravity

women gotta have pretty...

 

Yeah, I've got a quadrafire 4100i insert. It works awesomely.

I had to convince my wife, and it took a bit, but it was totally worth it. This bow/ bay window quadrafire works very well. She said the other day that she's totally happy with the insert we got, that it had the best of both worlds. We had an open FP before.

 

Good info, thanks

 

Boy that sounds right up my wife's alley

Sounds like it looks a lot like the gas insert we have now

Bay window is a perfect description

Thanks

 

Free standing fireplaces Soldotna, AK - A Fireplace Store

This place sells lopi, Blake king, and quadrafire, others it looks like as well.

There may be a different dealer closer or not.

While blaze king makes great stoves, I don't think they'll pass the wife's eye test.

 

There are several shops in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley

Soldotna is a ways down the Kenai peninsula but is still doable

It is estimated that 1/2 the houses in Fairbanks and the surrounding area heat with wood so there are lots of options up there

I am assuming anything I buy can be hauled home and installed by my son and I

If it requires installation I will be stuck with local options

 

Here's mine...


Wife approved.

Plus it gets choochin'

 

I installed my insert with the help of my buddy for the heavy part. Everything else I did on my own. One question, how is your gas fp vented now?

 

Yup, my wife would love that

This is the existing unit as well as the hearth and floor to ceiling slab of marble she had custom built and installed a few years back to replace the original fake river rock surround

That is one of the reasons she has resisted a wood burner

Afraid she will get it dirty...

 

When they put it in they used a double stainless flex hose system for fresh air and exhaust

 

What are the dimensions of the opening?