What stove insert to buy?

 
Jerseyguy
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Post by Jerseyguy » Thu. May. 24, 2018 2:40 pm

So I have found a Franco Belge ($350) and a Harmon elite ($800) forsale. Not sure what stove is better or if I should just buy a new ds insert. Can anyone here give me some information as far as what of the 3 is best.


 
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Post by franco b » Thu. May. 24, 2018 3:21 pm

The Franco Belge is the most efficient, but needs tending oftener and is smaller than the others. It is also mot an insert.

 
Jerseyguy
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Post by Jerseyguy » Thu. May. 24, 2018 3:38 pm

Well that narrows it down, so of the other 2 what is the better?

The guy listing the Franco Belge has it set up as an insert with no surround, guess that would be why lol

 
franco b
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Post by franco b » Thu. May. 24, 2018 4:12 pm

There is also the Hitzes insert to consider. I have no personal experience with any of the inserts.

Inserts in general need the fan or fans running to get the heat out. Noise and possible replacement problems. The need for electricity to develop full capacity. Difficulty cleaning the chimney unless the insert is removed. A free standing stove has fewer problems.

 
Jerseyguy
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Post by Jerseyguy » Thu. May. 24, 2018 5:01 pm

Free standing won’t work for my situation, I’m replacing a wood insert.

 
CapeCoaler
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Post by CapeCoaler » Thu. May. 24, 2018 10:42 pm

Hitzer 503 in the 'rents house...
Hopper fed...
Looks better than the Harman... ;)

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Fri. May. 25, 2018 4:57 am

J, some pix of hearth setting would be real helpful.


 
Jerseyguy
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Post by Jerseyguy » Fri. May. 25, 2018 5:33 am

Well this narrowed itself down quick. The guy told me the Harmon had a hopper, I want a hopper feed stove. Well with the limited info on the internet it took some time, but I found the Harmon doesn’t come with a hopper and it hand fired. So that removes that. I guess I’ll be looking at the Hitzer and ds machines unless I find a used insert between now and the fall.

 
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Post by CapeCoaler » Fri. May. 25, 2018 9:45 pm

Craigslist is your friend...

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Fri. May. 25, 2018 9:59 pm

A lot of members with fireplaces were surprised at what they could do with a free standing stove, but without pix of your hearth set up, just be shootin in the dark. A few of those members ended up with a free standing & have never looked back.

 
Jerseyguy
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Post by Jerseyguy » Sun. May. 27, 2018 11:54 am

I’ll try to get a picture up today

 
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Post by Jerseyguy » Sun. May. 27, 2018 12:32 pm

This is what I’m working with, going to either do brick or stone around the fireplace. I honestly don’t think a freestanding stove will work.

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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Sun. May. 27, 2018 1:49 pm

Hmmmm, a work in progress!! LOL That's GOOD. figurin you're gonna come out for a hearth area no matter what--just figure which stove--& come out accordingly. Lots of hopper fed free standin options. How much space from fireplace opening to back of room? Room dimensions over-all?

 
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warminmn
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Post by warminmn » Sun. May. 27, 2018 2:26 pm

This long post will give you plenty of ideas. It will take a couple hours to look at them all but if it can be done theres a picture of it in this topic. Pictures of Your Stove

 
Jerseyguy
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Post by Jerseyguy » Sun. May. 27, 2018 4:12 pm

freetown fred wrote:
Sun. May. 27, 2018 1:49 pm
Hmmmm, a work in progress!! LOL That's GOOD. figurin you're gonna come out for a hearth area no matter what--just figure which stove--& come out accordingly. Lots of hopper fed free standin options. How much space from fireplace opening to back of room? Room dimensions over-all?
It is 11’ to the wall not counting hearth and couch.


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