Who doesn’t love spending time with their loved ones during the winter in a warm heated room? The hot chocolate, the gossip, and the warmth hit differently in a cozy environment. But what creates this delightful ambiance?
It is, indeed, the fireplace. However, traditional fireplaces are challenging to maintain, require regular cleaning, and most of them cause loss of heated air due to large holes. A wood-burning fireplace insert has excellent potential to avoid this cumbersome task.
Most new fireplace inserts are compatible with your existing fireplaces, making them convenient and efficient. These inserts will render you free from the hassles associated with traditional built-in fireplaces. Let us find out which are the best wood-burning fireplace inserts available.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drolet - Escape 1800 Wood Insert Large 2020 EPA Certified Wood Stove - 75,000 BTU – 2,100 sq.ft.,... | 17 Reviews | Buy on Amazon | |
| DROLET Escape 1500-I Wood Insert with FACEPLATE | 12 Reviews | Buy on Amazon | |
| Timberwolf Economizer EPA Wood Burning Fireplace Insert | 28 Reviews | Buy on Amazon |
Table of Contents
Best Wood Burning Fireplace Insert
1. Drolet Escape 1800i Fireplace Wood Insert
Drolet offers a wide range of heating appliances to keep you warm and comfortable. The specialty of these appliances is their strength and reliability.
This fireplace insert has a heating capacity of 75,000 BTU and can heat an area of 500 to 2100 sq feet. This wide heating coverage makes the insert suitable for medium to large-sized homes.
The metallic black color of the stove makes it attractive and appealing. Made of steel and iron, this stove can consume logs of up to 20 inches.
Approved by EPA, this insert has an average of only 1.54 grams of emissions per hour, making it safe and healthy.
For its power, the insert can run for as long as 8 hours, making this stove extremely reliable to keep your home warm during the harsh winter season.
The built-in sensor turns the blower on or off automatically. What makes this insert different from the other units is that it is strong enough to heat a house with leaky windows too.
- Less emission
- Wide area covered
- Strong
- Loud when used at high mode
- Included: blower, ceramic glass, ash lip, air damper
- EPA 2020 approved - Average particulate emissions rate 1.54 g/h - Non-catalytic
Our take on the product: This wood-burning fireplace insert with a blower is highly efficient and ideal for large rooms. The Drolet insert has an average rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon, with most reviews suggesting it is easy to use and clean.
2. Drolet Escape 1500-I wood insert with faceplate
Another one of Drolet’s products makes this list because of the strength and reliability of these heating appliances.
The dimensions of this insert are 23 x 28 x 22 inches, which makes it a medium-sized insert for most fireplaces.
It can deliver a maximum heat output of 65,000 BTU, suitable for heating areas of 500 to 1800 sq feet. The black-colored insert has a burn time of up to 6 hours, enough to keep your room warm for a long time.
Made up of alloy steel, this insert can consume logs of 18inches in length. If you are on a green spree, you will be happy to know this insert has a low carbon footprint. This appliance is EPA approved, producing only 1.26 grams of emissions per hour.
The Escape 1500 comes in three pieces which require some assembly. The installation is heavy, and you can do it with some help as the insert is too heavy.
The fact that this insert comes with a superior quality blower, an attractive faceplate, ash lip, and other attachments is a cherry on top!
- Fewer emissions
- It comes with a blower and faceplate
- Energy efficient
- Expensive
Our take on the product: This unit comes with a blower, ash lip, ceramic glass, faceplate, etc., making this one of the best wood-burning fireplace insert kits available. With a rating of 4.7 stars, this seems to be liked by most verified buyers.
3. Timberwolf Economizer EPA Wood Burning Fireplace Insert
Timberwolf provides high-quality, attractive products to keep you warm and safe during the coldest weather.
The dimensions of this black-colored insert are 14 x 25.9 x 22 inches. It has a heating capacity of 65,000 BTU, and it is capable of heating a room of 500 to 2000 sq feet.
Being EPA certified, this insert produces 2.25-gram emissions per hour, which makes it ecologically friendly with a low carbon footprint.
The enlarged design of the insert allows you to use lots of up to 18 inches in length. It also promises an 8 hour long burn time with a whopping 86% efficiency rate.
This insert also provides a blower kit that is designed to give efficient results. The size of the ceramic glass is large, which makes for a beautiful viewing area to watch the glowing fire inside the insert.
Reviews suggest that this unit is easy to install; however, it is heavy, so you should be able to install it with a friend and some food!
- Strong heating
- Energy efficient
- Low emission
- The fan does not perform well
Our take on the product: This small wood burning fireplace insert is suitable for large rooms and has a strong heating capacity. It comes with a blower and black iron door, which makes this a reasonably great option!
4. Vogelzang Deluxe Wood Burning Insert with Vent Kit
Vogelzang is committed to providing customers with affordable heating equipment to make lives easier and warmer!
Its dimensions are 26.31 x 21 x 21.5 inches which makes it a tremendous medium-sized wood-burning insert.
This is a black-colored insert with a maximum heating output of 69,000 BTU. It is competent of heating a large area of up to 1800 sq feet.
Additionally, it also comes with a stainless steel vent kit to make sure that the smoke and soot do not accumulate in the insert itself.
The insert is EPA certified, which means that it does not have a significant carbon footprint and is ecologically friendly. It can hold up logs of wood of a maximum length of 18 inches.
Thanks to the large ceramic glass, you will have a beautiful view of the dazzling fire to give you an authentic, natural vibe.
- Has vent kit and faceplate
- Fewer emissions
- Strong heating
- The door is not sturdy
- Heats 1800 sq. ft.
- Includes stainless steel vent kit
Our take on the product: This Vogelzang insert is easy to use and provides effective heating to a large area. It has a beautiful design which makes it look attractive, so if you want a good-looking and efficient insert, this is the right choice for you.
5. Stove Builder International CW2900 Century high Efficiency Wood Insert
This brand specializes in designing high-quality heating appliances that use different types of fuel.
This insert comes in a metallic black color and has a maximum heating output of an epic 75,000 BTU. Its dimensions are 26.25 x 28.5 x 23.25 inches, making it a medium-sized insert for your home.
It can heat an area of 500 to 2100 sq feet, which is just right to heat up small and medium-sized rooms. The insert can run for up to 8 hours. It takes a maximum log length of 20inches.
The CW2900 is EPA approved, with an emission of 3.89 grams of particulates per hour. But when you compare this with other inserts, this may seem to produce more emissions.
Interestingly, it is accompanied by a 32 x 50 inches faceplate and a standard blower which operates with minimum noise. Its classic design with a large viewing area makes it look stylish and attractive, taking the home decor to another level.
- Stylish design
- Faceplate included
- 75,000 BTU
- Poor quality blower
- Ideal for heating areas up to 2, 100 square fear
- 2.4 cubic foot firebox
Our take on the product: This insert seems to be pretty similar to the Drolet Escape 1800i Fireplace Wood Insert. This, however, comes fully assembled and contains a five years limited warranty to guide in times of distress.
6. Napoleon S25I Wood Burning Insert
Napoleon is a leading brand in the field of heating appliances that offer the best products that fulfill your demands.
This insert comes in a beautiful black color, which gives it a contemporary look. The extra-large viewing area provides a gorgeous sight of the blazing fire!
It has a maximum heating output of 70,000 BTU, making it appropriate to heat a large room efficiently. The S25I can heat up logs of 16 inches in length.
Having an EPA certification, this wood burning insert emits 1.3 grams of particulate per hour, which means the wood insert has a low carbon footprint.
The most attractive feature of this insert is that it has a burn time of up to 16 hours! This is the longest burn time any insert has!
Additionally, it comes with a dual blower system which works noiselessly to give you the best results. The firebox top is built for heavy-duty use, so it is durable and reliable.
- Dual blower included
- 16 hours long burn time
- Low emission
- Expensive
Our take on the product: This insert is so beautiful that its design is to fight for! Although expensive, it is durable and can last for years to come. The S25I has all the features you’re looking for in a wood-burning fireplace insert.
7. Regency Pro-Series CI2700 Wood Insert
Regency has sworn to provide high-quality products that bring people together. This insert by Regency seems to be a popular choice among most users.
The CI2700 has a maximum heating output of 78,000 BTU, and it is suitable for medium to large-sized rooms. You can add logs of up to 22 inches in length.
This insert is highly energy efficient as it entirely burns wood logs and has a low emission rate of 1.3 grams per hour. So if you are carbon footprint conscious, this is a good choice for you.
It has an impressive burn time of 14 hours! So you can sleep through winter nights in the utmost warm and homely environment. A digital monitor and an accessible door are a few of the features that make this unit likable!
A large ceramic glass gives a stunning view of the glowing fire. The cast hinges are built of heavy-duty material to avoid bending or breaking.
- Low emission
- 14 hours burn time
- Large glass view
- Expensive
Our take on the product: Regency is a famous brand among heating appliances, and most customers prefer their products due to their high quality and reliability. It has an attractive appearance backed with a 14 hours long burn time. What is not to like?
8. Regency Alterra CI1150 Wood Insert
Most of Regency’s heating appliances deserve to be on this list. One of such items is the Alterra Ci1150 insert.
This has a maximum heating capacity of 55,000 BTU. It is a small-sized wood insert suitable for heating a small space. So if you are looking to heat smaller rooms, this is the best insert for you.
This has a burn time of 8 hours for a tiny unit, which is still equal to most other appliances.
It has an emission rate of 1.7 grams per hour. This low carbon footprint makes this insert more environmentally friendly.
A two-speed blower is included along with this unit, which efficiently delivers heat to all corners of the room. Additionally, the insert equips a dual burn design that ensures that all logs are burnt completely.
The log retainers are made of heavy gauge steel, which overcomes the inconvenience caused by the rolling of logs. Cast hinges, too, are made from heavy-duty material to keep them from bending and breaking.
- Small Unit
- Low emission
- Two-speed blower included
- Expensive
Our take on the product: This is a small wood-burning fireplace insert that is efficient and reliable. The handy blowers ensure that the distribution of heat is vast and reaches all corners of the room. Additionally, it has a sturdy build that makes this device durable.
9. Lopi Medium Flush Wood NexGen-Fyre
Lopi helps you make the fire of your dream a reality through their innovative and intelligent technology.
This Lopi insert has a maximum heat capacity of 69,000 BTU, and it is suitable for medium to large-sized homes of up to 2,000 sq feet.
It has a dreamy black coloured appearance which makes it appear very stylish, just like your home decor.
The insert has a maximum burn time of 10 hours so that you can enjoy time with your loved ones! It can take up logs of 24 inches in length, which is longer than what most other inserts accept. Lopi features an innovative NexGen-Fyre technology which ensures that the wood burns completely to give out the best heat output.
It has a certification from EPA, and its emission rate is 1.7 grams per hour, making it a green choice!
Another impressive feature of this insert is that it equips an auto-ignition feature where you do not have to start the fire manually. You just have to fill it with logs and press a button, and voila! You have a fire!
- 10 hour burn time
- Autoignition
- Low emission
- Expensive
Our take on the product: The stylish design with a large viewing area for you to enjoy the fire makes this an incredible choice. The auto-ignition feature is a cherry on top!
Wood Burning Fireplace Insert
1. Price:
The most crucial factor in the buying decision is the price of the insert. Most of these fireplace inserts are expensive. However, if you weigh its features against the cost, you may find that some of the inserts are better than others.
2. Dimensions:
Do not purchase an insert without looking at its dimensions because the insert’s size should be compatible with the size of your existing fireplace.
If you buy an insert that is too small or too large, it will not fit in your fireplace. These units are long-lasting, so it is wise to buy an accurate insert.
3. EPA Certification:
EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, issues specific guidelines regarding the maximum emissions that an insert can produce. It should ideally be less than 2 grams per hour.
Choose the fireplace insert with an EPA certification and produces fewer emissions as it would be a greener choice with a low carbon footprint.
4. Burn Time:
Who enjoys refilling the insert with wood logs multiple times in a day? Exactly, no one. It takes too much of your time and effort.
Therefore, you should choose inserts that have a long burn time so that you can enjoy the warmth it radiates.
5. Heating Area:
Ensure that you look at all the specifications of the insert that you’re choosing. It should have the capacity to heat the area that you’re buying it for.
Most inserts are suitable for areas up to 2000 sq feet. Please do not buy an insert with a larger heating area than you wish, as it will be expensive. And do not buy one with a smaller heating area as it would not be effective.
FAQs
1. How much does a fireplace insert cost?
The price of the insert may vary depending upon its size and style. However, most inserts fall in the price range of $2000 to $4000.
2. Are wood stoves different from wood burning fireplace inserts?
The two are slightly different as a wood stove has more fuel capacity and a longer burn time than wood burning fireplace inserts.
3. Are wood burning inserts better than electric ones?
In terms of heating capacity, wood-burning fireplace inserts have a more considerable ability compared to electric ones. They also cover a vast space instead of electric ones, which only cover up to 500 sq feet.
Conclusion:
A wood-burning fireplace insert gives users an authentic experience of the dazzling fire. It keeps you safe and warm in your homes.
Most inserts have unique features and benefits. However, we highly recommend the Drolet Escape 1800i Fireplace Wood Insert for its low emission, high BTU, and attractive appearance.
We hope this article on the best wood-burning fireplace insert helped you make an excellent choice.
