Are you among the homeowners with an ancient fireplace that adds no value to your house? Do you want to get a suitable woodstove insert? Well, worry no more! The article covers a wood stove insert review to help you in finding the ideal one. Such stoves allow you to turn an older fireplace to a useful and modern one for a better home heating. Since the inserts are attractive, they transform an ugly firebox to an appealing home focal point.
Getting the best wood stove inserts, such as Drolet HT3000, our top selection, leads to a better home heating experience. However, there is more to choosing the right one than just looking for the ones with the best looks. You need to go with the compatible one with your older fireplace and the ones efficient enough. Here are some of the inserts that deliver fantastic results when it comes to home heating.
Wood Stove Insert Review
1. Drolet HT3000 DB07300 High-Efficiency Wood Stove
If looking for an efficient model that can warm up a larger area, this Drolet model has no alternative. The insert features a ceramic glass to deliver a clear view of the flames. It also incorporates a firebrick lining that shields the secondary air in the unit. The lining is also crucial in offering a smooth and soothing heat to the entire family.
What makes the unit the best wood stove insert is the design that incorporates tough door latch and a larger viewing area for the best home heating. It also incorporates a tough build and a roomy firebox that houses woods of about 22 inches. The door comes from cast iron with adjustable handles for easier usage.
Heat capacity
When you place the fireplace insert in the right position, the model can heat about 2,400 square feet. As it has a maximum 110,000 BTU/h heat output, so you can expect even more than 2,400 square feet coverage if necessary. Many love the stove's efficiency, which has a high rating of about 78%. That means most of the heat produced will disperse in your home, which is impressive for a wood stove.
Is there any complaint?
The stove insert is designed to fit a top side venting means it's not good to fit when using a back vent.
2. Drolet Escape 1500-I Wood Fireplace Insert
For those in search of an all-round wood stove insert, this Drolet model is what you need. The stove offers a secondary combustion system and a friendly emission rate. The premium blower and the black faceplate incorporated in the unit makes the unit usage easier. The instructions aren't hard to follow for a stress-free installation on the fireplace.
Heat capacity
The top-performing fireplace insert can deliver up to 65,000 BTUs heat to the entire home since it a powerful unit.
Is there any complaint?
It lacks extra optional accessories.
3. Napoleon Timberwolf EPA Wood Burning Fireplace Insert
As a natural vent wood stove insert, it incorporates an air-wash combustion method for easier cleaning. When it comes to efficiency, the unit efficiently burns while maintaining a comfortable and soothing temperature. With the air-wash combustion, the glass remains clean, making it easier to view the burning flame. With an inclusion of a safety door and a heat thermal, the unit's performance remains up there. You can also warm multiple rooms with this awesome heating unit.
Heat capacity
With the stove insert, you will get 65,000 BTUs heat, enough to warm an average home effectively.
Is there any complaint?
You may need to clean the glass daily.
4. Drolet Blackcomb II DB02811 Wood Stove Insert
Any homeowner would wish to own this stove insert. The unit not only looks good but warms up the home efficiently in the cold season. Besides benefiting from a simpler means of installation, the unit offers an appealing design to appeal to your visitors. It has a ceramic door that can open easily and an exterior with a metallic back look for a classy appearance.
Heat capacity
It produces 65,000 BTU, enough to heat about 2,000 square feet. The heat is enough for multiple and huge rooms.
Is there any complaint?
The unit is noisy when heating. It usually bothers people, although some of them like the sound.
5. Vogelzang TR004 Colonial EPA Wood Stove
The Vogelzang unit is among the best wood burning fireplace inserts considering its efficiency. It offers a 27% efficiency score to lose less warmth, making it possible to burn less wood and cover a larger part of your home.
One thing that attracts many to the unit is the larger ceramic glass. The air washed glass offers a better view of the fire boosting your home's warmth and beauty.
Heat capacity
Since the stove offers single lighting, it can stay burning for over 8 hours. As one of the efficient units, it produces about 69,000 BTU, making it possible to heat over 1,800 square feet.
Is there any complaint?
Some customers feel that the stove needs to be bigger even though the current size still works well.
6. Pleasant Hearth Medium Wood Burning Stove
The stove insert is a famous model for generating a fine flame heat and effect. Like the name, the unit offers a cracking sound of the burning woods that soothes your ears. The natural color of the wood adds to the natural wood feeling. The good thing with the stove is the use of less wood, which helps you save more. The 20 inches long wood fitting means the insert is compatible with numerous fireplaces.
Heat capacity
The unit heats up to 400 square feet and can use both wood and iron as the main combustion materials. It can also use electricity to run, making it versatile.
Is there any complaint?
Some people dislike the unit because it is the power switch placement near the fireplace. They would have placed it near the plug.
7. Vogelzang TR001 Defender EPA Wood Stove
The stove incorporates a plate steel build that makes it durable and effective when heating. The insert burns on firebrick lining, which is super useful when it comes to heat insulation. Another feature that makes the product preferable is the huge ceramic transparent window. The glass window enables you to view the flames without opening the door. Many describe the stove as the conventional stove designs improvement when it comes to wood-burning stoves.
Heat capacity
The model can heat up to 1,200 sq ft for several hours. That means that you can enjoy the heat overnight during winter.
Is there any complaint?
The chimney is not safe from the wind which changes the pressure
8. Comfort Flame Builder B36L-M Wood Burning Fireplace
If looking for inserts for a fireplace, this is the unit to get. The comfort flame fire insert incorporates a steel grate, refractory concrete brick liner, wire mesh screen, and stamped louvers. The stove comes with a chimney pipe for smoother heating since any stove needs good ventilation. It also incorporates better firebox combustion that boosts its performance. When it comes to its efficiency, it uses less wood when burning than most wood stove inserts in our list.
Heat capacity
The stove insert offers better heating since it can cover up to 1,200 sq feet. With such heat, it can keep a larger home warm for hours.
Is there any complaint?
Many complain of the noise coming from the burning wood, but some people love the sound's soothing feeling.
What is a Fireplace Insert?
A fireplace insert refers to a closed combustion firebox usually fixed into an existing fireplace to add efficiency. The name came from inserted directly into an existing fireplace to boost the heating ability and efficiency when burning for heat.
Types of Inserts for Fireplaces
Gas inserts
This is an insert that runs on propane or natural gas. Such inserts are preferable since one can connect them to the gas line or propane tank and run smoothly.
Pellets
Such inserts are the ones that run on wood pellets as fuel. You need to feed pellets into the fire using an automated auger for a better experience.
Electric inserts
With these inserts, you only need to plug the stove and turn on the switch for heating. The inserts are one hundred percent powered by electricity, thus the name.
Gel inserts
Such inserts are usually compatible with fuel comes from alcohol substances. The fuel is eco-friendly and burns longer.
Wood burning
Such inserts are the ones powered by wood. Instead of burning in the backyard, these stoves burn wood inside the home without suffering from the smoke.
Top Brands - Who Makes the Best Wood Stove or Fireplace Insert?
Drolet
As a family-owned brand, Drolet is a manufacturing enterprise emanating from Canada. With many years of service, the company strives to deliver efficient and classy heating units to boost a home's comfort.
Vogelzang
All of the Vogelzang stoves incorporate high tech features like ceramic glass doors, strong air-tight built, and sturdy handles. With their products, you get an excellent design, affordable and durable stoves.
Wood Stoves vs. Pellet Stoves
The main thing that differentiates the two stoves is the fuel source. Wood stoves work like ancient fireplaces that use logs while pellet ones burn on wood pellets from small woods and sawdust. Woods stoves are efficient since wood is available, but pellets offer a better burning experience than wood stoves.
Wood Burning vs. Gas Fireplace Inserts
When it comes to efficiency, gas inserts are better since they burn with over 90% efficiency. Wood burning is not as efficient as gas inserts since they lose over a huge percent of heat up the chimney. Unlike the gas inserts, wood-burning burns 60-80% efficiently.
Cost for Installing a Wood Burning Stove/Fireplace Insert
Installing a fireplace insert is cost-effective, provided you learn how to do it. To save some cash, you may choose not to hire a professional and spend about $800-$1,200. However, some inserts are unique, and so the cost may vary.
Are Wood Stove Inserts Worth It?
Yes! Woodstove inserts are great units for every homeowner to get. Burning on wood means you will use less oil, gas, or electricity. Such inserts are efficient compared to other fuel sources and affordable.
Fireplace vs. Fireplace Insert
A fireplace insert is an appliance that you install into an existing fireplace while a fireplace is a built-in fireplace where the homeowner lacks an existing one. A fireplace is convenient to use but lacks efficiency compared to the inserts. Fireplaces inserts burn on less fuel and produce more heat, making them better than a fireplace.
How to Install a Wood Fireplace/Stove Insert?
When installing a stove insert, move the insert in and out several times, place the furnace amount on all sides, and insert it back one more time. Pick the furnace cement on the inner part of the adapter that joins. After that, pass the silicon bead and seal the holes on top of the screws.
How Can You Remove a Wood Fireplace/Stove Insert?
For those who dislike hiring experts to remove a fireplace insert, try following the simple steps.
- Open the fireplace insert doors
- Do away with the metal grate present in wood stoves
- Eliminate the sooth from the lower part of the insert
- Place in the bucket with a metal scoop
Can You Leave a Wood Burning Stove on Overnight?
It's not bad to leave a wood-burning stove overnight. However, make sure you close the air intake and the flue. Closing the two means the wood will burn slowly and efficiently, provided you do not close them.
Do Fireplace Inserts Increase Home Value?
Besides saving you from using real firewood to heat your home, the units help add value to the home. Moreover, such inserts produce enough warmth while keeping your heating costs down as they make the home more comfortable and welcoming. Besides, we all love it when our homes look unique. Fireplace inserts come with unique, classy, and durable designs that leave home looking amazing. For homeowners who like portraying their style and personality, such stoves can help them greatly.
Do You Need a Chimney Liner For a Wood Stove Insert?
You may need a chimney liner if burning wood on a fireplace or a wood stove. Get a stainless steel liner, crucial in preventing chimney fires or overheating. However, if using other fuels like gas or electricity, you do not need a chimney liner.
Does a Wood Stove Pipe Have to Go Straight Up?
While the pipe doesn't have to go straight, a straight one works better. At least 80% of fireplace chimneys go vertical. According to experts, the chimney needs to have about 4 bends of 45 degrees bend with every bend being 90 degrees bend being counted as two.
Concluding Remarks
Homeowners are currently replacing their ancient masonry fireplaces with the modern fireplace inserts. The reason is the efficiency and comfort that come with the units. When choosing a fireplace insert, always go for the ones that work better and saves you energy and money. The masonry fireplaces served us well in the past, but we must embrace the convenience that comes to technological advancement. With the above wood stove inserts, you will not only save more but also enjoy the soothing and comfortable heat from these wonderful units.
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