pellet fired insert

Looking for a pellet fireplace insert with low maintenance and high reliability.

May be getting a place with two traditional fireplaces in it and would consider both a wood burning insert and also a pellet burning insert.

Will the pellet insert throw any amount of heat?

Just looking for ideas so I can research them, thank you!

Feels funny over here on this side of the site.....

 

LOL Yooper!

 

Your options may be limited,depending on the size of the fireplace.Also,a free standing stove in front of the fireplace,gives a lot more heat.I only owned 1 insert,years ago,back in MD,a Glacier Bay coal,dirty install,loved it,bank it full of coal,burn for almost 3 days.But,I did have to build a blower for it.Dam I am old.Where you live is a lot like where I live,inserts are pretty,but a free standing will give more heat,and easier to clean and repair.

 

yooperdave quit playing around here, and get back home where you belong!

 

Harman 52i?

The only issue with a freestander in front of the fireplace is living room real estate.....if your hearth is inadequate, youll have to put a stove board down and follow clearance criterion as well, taking up a fair chunk of living room space. The largest freestander is 68000 btu/hr, while the 52i is 52000 btu/hr, so, 20% more or so? The 68 has a larger hopper though, and does put out more heat, if you can somehow utilize that heat and move it where you need it.

 

House is around 3000 sq ft Fireplace in finished basement and fireplace on main level. Masonry (of course) with rock and both are in same corner of house's footprint. I had thought about a wood stove and vent into flue, but it would look kinda like a hacker (besides me, that is) did it! This morning, I thought about removing both levels of fireplace and placing my NC 30 in the basement and something else on the main level.

Or...…. remove stone in basement, add full logs to support main level weight, install the 30 in the "basement" and leave that (main level) fireplace alone or maybe put in an insert on that level.

Yes, I realize the most distribution of heat would be from a free standing wood stove also.

LP boiler for primary heat, but I'm not looking forward to hundreds of $$$$ during the winter months-I would have to turn in my FHC card for sure!

Open 5' wide stairs to main level right next to corner of basement where fireplace is.

But, I'm placing the wagon way in front of the horse! I have to decide to buy the place first.

 

I went with a free stander on the hearth, and have the proper rugs in front of same. Town reviewed and approved install. Love the look of the Hastings as it reminds me of the old woodstoves we had as a kid, I just do not enjoy the looks of the newer models, though that may change when we move out of this crap state.

 

Heading south like I did?

 

Nope NH, wife wont go south yet, her folks and mine are in MA. Mom in-law has cancer (not the good kind) but waiting for kiddo to get into a college and get into a more tax friendly state. Hoping then to get retired and do winters in a little place on a island.

 

I have an avalon astoria pellet insert. No longer made, but can find used ones. Reliable. None of this scraping the burnpot daily nonsense. I have some higher ash pellets this year and need to clean once a week. When I used Lacrete I was two weeks between cleanings.

 

Yoops, is that a walkout basement?
If so, I'd want a free standing woodstove in the basement first, and a supplemental insert on the main level.

is an add on wood boiler a possibility?
dad did that when we lived at home, it worked good and heated our domestic water also

 

Yes, walk out basement.

Boiler is currently in a little closet with the large water heater....not much room left over at all. As much as 7K for a new high efficiency boiler (with water heater capabilities) but for that amount, I could drop in a new forced air and AC unit.

Kinda want to keep it simple as each year my physical conditions worsen.

Convenience of pellets are a little appealing...….still don't quite understand just how you guys stack them after splitting them...…

 

they're a lot easier to stack if you keep them in the bags

 

My first pellet eater was an Astoria freestanding.....never had any issues with it, and no scraping crap either....a great heater! 120 lb hopper was da bomb.

 

For simplicity, I think a free standing stove would be easier. No pulling the insert out to clean the exhaust and other areas. I believe insert ash pans aren't as large either (depending on brand/model), but I could be mistaken. Also, some free standers will take a hopper extension, so you don't have to fill as often (does also make it taller, which is why I use a step stool).

If you are dead-set on an insert, I can't help with any experience. If a free stander - gotta love the Harman P-series for easy clean and large ash pan. My previous Hastings was oaky, just took more work cleaning hidden areas and was more picky about changing between pellet brands. And, I had to empty the ash pan every week whereas the Harmans are 2-4 weeks depending on ashiness of pellets and my time (I tend to clean before needed if the weather is conducive).

 

In addition, typically, an insert hopper is smaller.

 

Free stander for sure , an insert you'll need to purchase a rail kit another $ , to pull the beast in and out for cleaning , or wrestle with several hundred lbs.

 

I have a 52i insert, 2800 sq foot home and of course its to supplement heat. No doubt a free standing will throw more heat but I'm happy with the Harman 52i.

I have an alternative to the Rail Kit. I use a Motorcycle/Atv jack to remove the insert and in fact use the jack for many things so it was well worth the $60 or $70 I paid for it. Similar to this one: 1500 lbs. Capacity ATV/Motorcycle Lift

 

Let me get this straight.

I have to pull the insert out every time I run maintenance on it? That does change things...….thanks!