How would we go about converting/retrofitting a conventional fireplace with a wood stove insert? Are there such things readily available, or must one retrofit a "regular" woodstove? We'd also like to be able to cook on it (though not as the main cooking resource).

Thank you, Andrea in NY

-- Andrea (andreagee@aol.com), March 02, 2002

Answers

http://www.earthstove.com/earthinsert.htm

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), March 02, 2002.

You can also put a plate in frount of the fireplace and cut a hole in it for the stove pipe make sure the damper is open and the pipe goes back into the fireplace to were the damper is than ucan use any wood stove but u must clean ur chimmy more often

-- Grizz in Western Maryland (southerneagle@yahoo.com), March 02, 2002.

Find a dealer in your area or try to find a used Buck stove. I think they are made in Kentucker, or Tennesse. They are made to be a fireplace insert or can be used as a stand alone stove. Triple wall welded steel with a blower motor in the back. I've had mine for 15 years and it heats my whole house ( about 1700 sq.ft.) The only thing I've had to do to it was replace the blower motor about 2 years ago. If my menory serves me, the replacement motor cost about $45.

-- Paul (treewizard@buffalo.com), March 02, 2002.

I just love my fireplace inset stove. it came with the house when we bought it. The prior owners decided that putting in a woodstove insert would work best. The house was really cold as we live on top of a mountain. Ours is a Ozarks model stove, the best supposduly you can get. I can cook on it if necessary, the doors open and I can get the fireplace look if i like and it sure heats up the hosue with the blower on. Right now its 10 degrees out and I turned the blower off because it was really cranking out heat.

Hey, we are originally from western NY so I know how cold it gets there in NY.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 02, 2002.

Check to see if there is a Lopi dealer in your area. If so consider the Revere fireplace insert. It projects into the room far enough to give you a cooking surface. The best way to install an insert is to run a steel stove pipe liner from the stove to the top of the masonry flue. The top is then sealed around the pipe with a piece of sheet metal, and a cap put on the pipe. This will give your stove the best draw as well create the least amount of creosote. Have the flue cleaned before you install the stove. This will result in less creosote smell after the stove is installed. good luck Andrea

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), March 02, 2002.