looking at craigslist insert

Im looking at a blaze king princess insert n craigslist and i was wondering if it looks like its worth buying. The exhaust looks like its rectangular. Is it missing a something or is that normal?

Howdy Jimmy welcome to permies!

I have never had one so I looked up an installation video. It looks like there might be a piece missing that makes the conversion to the stack?



look at the part that is about 8 minutes in.

Welcome to permies, Jimmy!

As Miles points out, nothing there to attach to a stack... plus, seems like a bit of a weird design if there is supposed to be an additional piece above that vent to connect to a stovepipe.

I wasn't sure if all inserts are meant to attach like that, so I looked into it.


Seems that it was common practice at some point to just stuff an insert into the fireplace opening and let it vent into the fireplace, trusting the fireplace chimney to do the venting.

It also seems like this is a real bad idea. This (charmingly named!) chimney sweep site explains it pretty well. http://www.yourashismine.com/id27.html

So, rather than a missing part, it could just be a bad idea sort of insert... Either way, unless a good solution for attaching to a proper stovepipe turns up, I'd be passing on this one.

I wouldn't be afraid of welding up a transition piece to a proper stovepipe for a cabin but insurance issues would keep any welder from touching it.