Is it possible to convert a fireplace into a wood stove?

Question

I am inquiring about putting a wood stove and conceting it to my fireplace in the basement

Answer 1

Yes, go to home depot and buy a piece of cement board, it's what they use to lay ceramic tiles, comes in like a 3x4 piece. measure your opening on your fireplace and cut the board to fit. Position your stove to where you know your stove pipe will go through and mark. Remove and drill a hole so you can get a jig saw blade to cut it out. Coming off the nipple on the back of the stove with one straight length then an elbow to go up the chimney and one more straight length up, you might have to remove the door on your damper or just lay it in the bottom of the fireplace, your not gonna see it.Put your pipe in the opening on your board and up the chimney and connect to your stove last. Then I use cement caulk for a tight seal around the fireplace opening and cement board. You can also use sheet metal too if you can find a piece big enough, anything fire proof. I've done this in 3 different places that I've rented and also did my sons and I even did something similar in an old school bus I use to live in, just remember safety 1st and you should always clean a working chimney twice in a burning season, good luck. And your wood stove should be the only thing using that chimney if its located in your basement, using that flue for one thing meaning your regular heat shouldn't use the same flue or you could mess with the draft on them.

Answer 2

Certainly!!. It would require a piece of 1/4 inch plate to cover the exsisting fireplace opening with the appropriate sized hole at the correct height to draft the stove. You`ll also need a good seal between the plate and fireplace face. Something like the stuff you`ll find in your stove door seal. Talk to your dealer. Things to check before you start. As mentioned before, make sure you have enough height to draft the stove through the plate!!! Also make sure you have either room on your hearth or a good "safe area" on the floor. Just remember, Your placing a Firebox into the room, so keep this in mind when heating. Your radiance is going to increase greatly. But i`m guessing that`s what you`re trying to accomplish. GOOD LUCK!!!! Oh and obviously the plate should be anchored to the face of the fireplace.

Answer 3

You can always use an insert, these come in different designs and the cost is any where from about $500.00-$3,00.00, depending on what u want to spend. Another alternative is to have a brick layer install a door on your exsiting fireplace. Glass doors have a very nice appearance and they will use brick on both sides of the door. The cost of this work is alot cheaper and the finished work is beautiful. You can pick out the bricks to match you fireplace, or even use a few glass bricks to enhance your fireplace..Good luck with you fireplace.

Answer 4

We have a BUCK STOVE cast iron insert. It is fantastic! We've had it 25 years, and it still looks brand new. It fits right into the fireplace opening, so no additional venting with the chimmney, etc. They have several models..all nice looking...mostly black cast iron, but you can get solid doors or glass doors, decorative handle options, etc. They have an electric blower/fan on them, and do a great job of heating and they are very safe, and will save you enough $$$ on your heating bill to pay for itself in no time. Check your Yellow Pages for your local dealer, and you can go in and check-out all of the models available. Take your fireplace opening dimensions with you so you'll know what is available for your size.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

Irv S answer is correct. The reason flues have higher standards for wood burning stoves is wood stoves operate at much higher temperatures than propane or gas. Due to this you would create a serious fire hazard if you did burn wood in a stove designed for propane or natural gas. Also your propane stove is designed for cooking, not for area heating.

Answer 6

Get a professional to look at your house and determine if it can be done. Locate a shop that specializes in wood stoves/fireplaces. Their staff is trained and can offer assistance. Venting of wood stoves is critical and must be done properly. If done wrong, a fire could start and your insurance company does not have to pay.
It is not a DIY job unless you are properly trained.

Answer 7

you would need to change the fluting in your chimney to accomidate the smaller smoke stack from the stove. i changed mine over from a fireplace to a gas stove and had to do the same thing. also no other appliances can use the same chimney, for example your hot water heater. but if you buy the stove from a dealer, they should be able to tell you all the specifications that are required. i would not suggest asking a home depot employee,

Answer 8

They make "inserts" that fit almost any standard fireplace. Check the yellow pages in your area.

Answer 9

fireplace insert professionaly installed.

Answer 10

insert is the way to go