
By Lynne from New Jersey on November 5, 2012
We have a custom fireplace that was created in the 1970's. It has a large, arcing opening that is about 60 inches wide by 12 inches high. Is there a way to find an insert that would cover that type of opening?
By Tyler M. - Fireplace Specialist on November 5, 2012
Answer:
Unfortunately, none of the inserts we sell are designed to fit in fireplaces that wide or that short. You would likely need to get an insert that will fit in the middle of your fireplace and then have something custom-made to cover the rest of your opening. By Rachel Singletary from White Lake, NC on November 26, 2012
We have an older wood-burning fireplace insert, and need a new liner. How do you tell what kind or model it is?
By Tyler M. - Fireplace Specialist on November 26, 2012
Answer:
Depending on your unit, there are a few places the manufacturer information may be located. The first location would be a metal plate that is on the left or right side of the smoke shelf bracket, right at the top of the fireplace front opening.
The next place would be just on the inside of the opening, behind the fireplace screens on the left or right side. The last location would be in the void space underneath the fireplace floor. This can be accessed either through the front of the unit's louvers or through a removable floor panel underneath the bottom refractory.By Nathan from CA on January 29, 2013
I have a fairly tight place to install a wood burning stove. I'd like to install a stove inside my current old pre-fabricated metal insert if possible. Can you help me determine if you sell a stove that would work for me? The height seems to be a problem. I only have about 19.5 inches to fit something in there. Maybe I can have the top section of the metal insert removed or cut to fit an insert inside? Any help or advice you can provide me would be much appreciated.
By Chris on January 29, 2013
Answer:
Due to the extra heat and weight of a wood burning stove or insert, most prefabricated fireplaces do not support the use of a stove or insert. With a height of only 19.5", we do not have a wood stove or insert that would fit in your existing fireplaceBy Daphne from Paso Robles, CA on January 29, 2013
Which models are approved for mobile or manufactured homes? (Inserts only)
By Chris on January 29, 2013
Answer:
Here are the two inserts that are approved for mobile home use that we currently offer.
Osburn 1100
Osburn 2200
By Sean McGee from New Iberia, LA on February 20, 2013
Can I buy a FMI TUSCAN S42 42" with natural white stacked refractory brick liner directly from you guys and shipped to my house? If so, how much for box and shipping?
By Collin C. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on February 20, 2013
Answer:
We do indeed have this unit available and it can be seen
on its item page. Shipping to your location would be free of charge. You would only pay the advertised sale price listed on the item page.
By sheila from Pennsylvania on December 16, 2012
What is a fireplace insert liner? We have a wood-burning older insert and saw the question. How do you know if something is wearing out on the insert, other than a blower not running? We also have a triple wall pipe from the insert all the way up our chimney. What is the best way to clean this pipe at the end of the season?
By Collin C. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on December 17, 2012
Answer:
A fireplace liner can refer to either the concrete panels inside the firebox or a stainless steel liner pipe that is installed into a masonry chimney. Generally, the concrete panels can start to crack and deteriorate over years of use.
It is good to check the panels for any signs of cracking, crumbling, or other deterioration. The chimney should be cleaned with a polyethylene brush, as metal can damage a manufactured chimney. Fiberglass rods with a 3/8-inch thread are fairly standard for this type of requirement.By Jen from NJ on April 29, 2013
How do I measure my current woodburning fireplace so I can find an insert to update it?
By Tyler M. - NFI Certified Specialist on April 30, 2013
Answer:
In order to provide recommendations for a woodburning insert, please reply with the following information:
Is the existing fireplace a brick/masonry unit?
What is the front width (left to right), rear width, depth (front to back) and opening height of the fireplace?
What is the size of the existing chimney, both in area inside the flue tile and height from the fireplace floor to the cap?
With this information, we would be happy to offer suggestions for your application.By David Gruber from Blairsville, GA on October 24, 2012
We have a very large fireplace and are considering putting in a wood-burning insert. What is the largest glass door dimension you have for a wood-burning fireplace insert? We are trying to find the largest out there.
By Collin C. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on October 24, 2012
Answer:
The largest door opening will be on the Osburn 2400 fireplace insert. This model has an opening size that measures 19 1/2 inches wide by 8 1/4 inches tall.
Fireplace inserts typically have a small door size, to ensure high efficiency and a more complete burn of the fuel supply.By Wayne from Bandon, OR on May 4, 2013
Are there any pellet fireplace inserts that will also burn natural wood??
By Tyler M. - NFI Certified Specialist on May 6, 2013
Answer:
No, all pellet inserts are only suitable with wood pellets, not wood logs, and all woodburning inserts are only suitable for logs, not wood pellets. By Dan from Sheridan, IL on January 25, 2013
I have a Heatillator a42c. What insert can I use?
By Collin C. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on January 25, 2013
Answer:
This unit is able to use any listed wood burning fireplace insert, with the addition of a chimney liner. I was unable to provide the actual firebox dimensions for this unit. If you will provide the front width, rear width, depth, and height of the firebox opening, I will be happy to suggest the appropriate insert(s) for your needs.By jeff from St. Louis, MO on February 25, 2013
I am looking to have a wood or gas insert installed. I would also like to redo the brick and replace the mantel. I am thinking of covering the brick with some sort of stone veneer.
My question is this: we are remodeling our kitchen and first floor so we are looking for ways to keep our budget under control. Would it be possible to do this in stages, like install the insert first and stone veneer next year or visa versa?
By Collin C. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on February 26, 2013
Answer:
It would certainly be possible to install the insert first, then finish the surround at a later time. Depending on how large of a unit you are planning on installing, you may be able to remove the current fireplace and replace it with a similar sided model, which could be temporarily trimmed out.
You could then remove or cover the brick veneer at a later time. I do not recommend trying to do the stone veneer first, as it will make the installation of the new unit very difficult.By George Meyer from New York on November 23, 2012
We have a "metal box" fireplace in our 10-year old house. Is there a wood burning insert you could recommend? I was told two different things by two retailers.
By Collin C. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on November 26, 2012
Answer:
The use of a wood burning insert within a manufactured fireplace can indeed be a fuzzy subject. In order to be able to use the insert, both the manufacturer of the insert and the manufactured fireplace must specifically state that they can be used in the corresponding type of unit.
Do you know the manufacturer name and model number of your existing fireplace? There is usually a build plate that is affixed to the unit, either in the bottom compartment beneath the floor or on either wall, just inside the opening near the top. By tanya from Northern California on November 15, 2012
We have a fireplace insert that is probably really old and has no blower. It sucks at putting out heat, and eats up so much wood to even get kind of warm. We are just renting the place but we don't want to freeze to death this winter.
I want there to be more heat output but not have to go through so much wood. I was wondering if it were possible to put like a glass ceramic door on it to help let some of the heat out? Because the only other thing I can think of to get the heat flowing into the house is to get a screen and just leave the door open - but that is going to burn through wood even faster. Help!
By Collin C. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on November 16, 2012
Answer:
Older wood burning inserts can be plagued with inefficiency issues, depending on how they have been installed.
Have you removed the metal shroud from the unit to see how it is vented into the chimney? If the unit is installed with the wrong size liner or no liner at all, they can use an exorbitant amount of fuel in a short period of time. I would definitely check the type of connection that is in place, as this may be the problem.By Paul from Arlington, Texas on December 31, 2012
I have a see-through fireplace and I am considering options for getting better heat output. Is an insert an option? The size of my fireplace is 40" wide, 33" deep, and 27" high. At present, I have accordion glass doors with a screen on each side. Do you recommend wood or gas? What are the trade-offs?
By Tyler M. - Fireplace Specialist on January 2, 2013
Answer:
We do not carry any multi-sided fireplace inserts. However, you may be interested in a ventless see-thru log set which will provide good supplemental heat. Please reply and let us know what kind of fuel you would use for a gas log set (natural gas or propane), as well has how you want to control the unit (on/off remote, variable flame remote, wall switch or manual.) We will be happy to offer some recommendations. By Anita from USA on November 9, 2012
I have a wood burning fireplace in my house. It is a "kit" unit with ceramic panel inserts. Through years of use the rear panel has started to delaminate and fall apart. I am looking for replacement panels. Do you have any suggestions?
By Staff on November 9, 2012
By Mike from USA on November 9, 2012
I currently have a 42" SC60 Heatilator Fireplace installed with a specified fireplace frame. Can the Osburn 2400 be inserted in this enclosure (after removing retaliator) or MUST it be inserted into a masonry fireplace? If it can be inserted into the existing framed enclosure, can the 6" flue be adapted to current 8" (10.5" OD) double-walled chimney pipe?
By Staff on November 9, 2012
Answer:
The Osburn 2400 must be installed into a masonry opening and cannot be used in any other way. Your only other option would be to install a zero-clearance, high efficiency fireplace. These are a double walled type of appliance that function much like a wood stove. One of our most popular sellers can be seen here:
Fireplace.
In regards to the second part of your question, this unit uses a 6" chimney system. I cannot recommend converting it to a larger chimney, due to the high efficiency nature of the fireplace. Larger chimneys will often cause these units to perform poorly and create excessive amounts of soot and creosote.
By Brian from hackettstown nj on January 8, 2013
I have a Marco 792776d fireplace. The fireplace really gives off no heat while burning. I was wondering, is there an insert that would work with this fireplace?
By Collin C. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on January 8, 2013
Answer:
It is certainly possible to install a wood burning insert in some manufactured boxes, but I simply cannot say for sure with your model of Marco. I was unable to find a manual for this unit, so I am unable to verify. I do not recommend it without the manufacturer saying so, as the box can overheat or be damaged otherwise. Do you have any original literature for the box? If so, it should cover the use of inserts.By Arlander from Plymouth, NC on January 27, 2013
How do I clean the inside of a fireplace insert?
By Collin C. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on January 28, 2013
Answer:
Because fireplace inserts do not have a conventional ash pan, they must be cleaned by using an ash rake or shovel to pull ashes to the door opening. The ashes can then be scooped into an ash bucket or removed with an approved ash vacuum. The chimney liner should be brushed from the top down and the baffles removed in the insert prior to this process. This will ensure that all material is removed and can be swept from the firebox.