What Pellet stove insert to buy? And from Whom?

[roadrunnermoore]

I have 3000 sf of open living space in my house (two story family room). I want to replace the gas fireplace I have now with a pellet insert. I have heard Harmon and quadra are good choices. Does anyone know where to find a good insert? Also, will I be able to use the non-lined fire box for the insert? Not sure of code. Current gas fireplace is vented to a fake chimney about 5 ft tall on outside of house. Any advise is appreciated. Also, where do you get pellets the cheapest? I am willing to buy in bulk?

Thanks!!

Just got a quote from Richard at True Value in La Plata for a Enviro M55 insert, installed. Total price $4629. Did alot of research and narrowed my choice down to the M55.

Pellet Fireplace Inserts


A good place for research and opinions is Hearth.com | The Pellet Mill and Corn Crib

 

[Christy]

You're kidding? Only twice a season? With my insert, I clean mine out every two to three days of use and then I brush the inside and vacuum it. If you are going to vacuum the stuff from a pellet stove make sure and get a good vacuum with a filter that can take the fine dust. The first time I tried it with my shop vac. After about 5 sec I saw all the dust coming out the vac exhaust and into my living room. Had to clean walls, etc.

Yep, the freestanding stoves have a HUGE ash pan in the bottom, the inserts have tiny ash pans. That is the only thing I dislike about my insert. If I get another pellet stove for the basement I'm definitely going with a freestanding one.

I try to dump most of the ashes and use the shop vac on what is left over.

 

[jr2775]

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

That's where I got mine about 5 years ago or so. I call them for cleaning as well.

Got mine there about 4 years ago or so. Thats who I call anually as well for my cleaning.

Picking up my 4 tons of pellets from my source this afternoon. Haven't turned my stove on yet this year, but last night almost did.

On my free standing I dump the big ash box maybe 3 or 4 times a year.

 

[GWguy]

Got mine there about 4 years ago or so. Thats who I call anually as well for my cleaning.

Picking up my 4 tons of pellets from my source this afternoon. Haven't turned my stove on yet this year, but last night almost did.

On my free standing I dump the big ash box maybe 3 or 4 times a year.

I need to do a light clean of my stove after 2-3 bags, a more detailed clean every 2 months or so, and a major clean once a year. And it got turned on last night, just to take the chill off. Felt nice.

 

[Vince]

Only have one ton of pellets on hand. Got to put in for another two and I'll be set for the winter.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

I need to do a light clean of my stove after 2-3 bags, a more detailed clean every 2 months or so, and a major clean once a year. And it got turned on last night, just to take the chill off. Felt nice.

I clean my stove usually after 3 bags or 3 days, thats vaccuming, clean out the little pellet burn pot, I use a old paint brush and brush most of the ash into the ash box and clean the glass. About every 2-3 weeks is when I do the more extensive cleaning (especially after my little fire), I take the little panels off and do behind them, with a long bristle thingie so I can clean out those chambers. Then in the early summer, late spring I have Tri County come out and do a annual inspection and cleaning.

 

[Christy]

Then in the early summer, late spring I have Tri County come out and do a annual inspection and cleaning.

How much does that run you?

 

[Christy]

On my free standing I dump the big ash box maybe 3 or 4 times a year.

I have ash box envy.

It really is a pain to clean the ash pan every couple of days, especially when it gets really cold out and I'd prefer to keep my stove going.

To the OP, Have you considered keeping your gas fireplace as is, and just getting a freestanding pellet stove as well? They really don't take up much room and I may be wrong but it seems like the freestanding stoves kick out a lot more heat. Plus there is that ash box/pan thing.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

How much does that run you?

I honestly dont remember, it was like maybe $179.00. The offer started like maybe last April at one price as, each month went by it went like $10.00 a month.

 

[jr2775]

There is just no good place to put it in my two story family room. That is good food for thought though and I still may try and do that as it will be a pain to remove the old.