Best Wood Burning Fireplace Inserts: 2022 Guide

While many homes have fireplaces built into the living rooms, they are rarely used as intended. Few of us can be bothered to chop or purchase wood or coals, and then there’s the added hassle of lighting the fire and cleaning up afterward. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the fun and cozy ambiance of a fire in your own home!

By introducing fireplace inserts, appliance manufacturers make it super easy to have a roaring, crackling fire in your fireplace, without the mess. Let’s take a look at what these inserts are, what kinds are available in the market, and how to select the right one for your home.

Wood stove inserts are an ideal, easy solution to keep cold at bay. Many people prefer using these heating units due to their efficient nature.

They are not only energy-efficient, but their design allows them to fit in most built-in fireplaces. They are aesthetically attractive and are capable of heating large living space.

If you’re looking for a quality product, make sure to check our list of the best wood stove inserts.

Comparison of the Best Wood Burning Fireplace Inserts

What is a Fireplace Insert?

Inserts may look like fireplaces but they are not the same thing. They cost much less than a complete renovation to install a gas fireplace or to replace your existing masonry fireplace.

This makes inserts a versatile and fashionable choice since they can change the ambiance of a room from traditional or rustic, to contemporary without breaking the bank. Inserts come in many shapes and designs, so they end up looking very much like the real thing.

Fireplace inserts can burn gas, wood, or pellets, and are inserted into the existing masonry fireplace. Installing an insert requires connecting it to the chimney and flue leading outside.

Types of Fireplace Inserts

Fireplace inserts use various fuels and sources of heat. Here are the most common ones:

Natural Gas

Natural gas fireplaces are very popular due to their convenience. A gas line can be connected to the gas nozzle in your fireplace and used to light the flames. This means you don’t need to deal with the cleanup or loading of wood fuel.

Gas type fireplace inserts come in vented and ventless options. Vented ones pull in air from outside the home for oxygen, and expel all the harmful gas. Unvented ones provide more heat, but the potentially harmful combustion fumes are vented back into your home.

Electric 

Electric fireplace inserts are also popular and safe. They are designed to look like fake logs that can be plugged into a normal power outlet, and they radiate heat for a r200-400 square foot room.

The advantages of this type of insert include safety, high efficiency, ease of operation, and no required cleanup. The downside is that the flames are not very realistic, nor do you get the attractive sound and appearance of a real flame.

Wood

Wood burning inserts offer the traditional experience of using wood, but you will need to obtain the wood, clean up the ash, and start the fire (although some have ignition assist options).

However, this is still an unrivaled experience for watching the fire in your hearth.

Pellet

The final type of fireplace insert is the pellet stove, in which the flame looks a lot like a wood fire. Pellet stoves are easier to keep clean than wood burners, but they still require you to refill the pellets daily and clean the ash-tray weekly.

Review of the Best Wood Stove Inserts

With so many different heating devices available, it becomes quite a challenge to pick any one unit. Here is a list of some of the best wood stove inserts that can keep you warm and cozy throughout the season.

How Does a Wood Stove Insert Work?

Wood stove inserts are considered as one of the best heating appliances. Their aesthetics and incredible heating capabilities make them a perfect choice for everyone. They are also known to be energy-efficient and environment-friendly. They emit minimal waste and smoke as compared to traditional fireplaces.

A wood stove insert usually fits inside a wall with a large hopper. Wood is added to the storage hopper and ignited to provide sufficient heat. The unit can be controlled conveniently via a remote-control thermostat or manually, depending on your model. The blower inside is responsible for distributing the heat generated inside the unit.

Are All Wood Stove Inserts The Same?

No, not all units are the same. You can find a wide range of models that differ from one another based on size, features, and functionality. Although most inserts operate similarly, their energy efficiency and heating performance might vary. Some models offer better heating while consuming less energy and vice versa.

Some models are also labelled as EPA-certified. Such units are environment-friendly and emit little to no harmful emissions, unlike traditional units. A difference also exists in their appearance and design, as some models might have a large glass area while others might give limited viewing space.

Pros and Cons of a Wood Stove Insert

Wood stove inserts are a great way to keep yourself warm during winters. However, all this goodness comes with some compromises as well. In this section, we will discuss some of the pros and cons of using one of these units.

Pros

Here are a few advantages of using a wood stove insert.

Aesthetics

These heating appliances provide great aesthetics that blend with most room interiors. They promise not only an attractive outlook but a decent heating performance as well.

Heating Capability

These units are a great source of heating. They have a high heat output that makes them superior to conventional fireplaces. A decent wood stove insert can easily warm a medium to large living space quite effectively. They also feature blowers that further enhance performance.

Environment-friendly

Wood stove inserts are environment-friendly. They emit little to no smoke or other emissions that can be harmful if inhaled.

Cons

The following are the disadvantages of using a wood stove insert.

Expensive

High-quality inserts might be much more expensive than conventional heating methods. They charge a hefty price tag for the wide range of features they deliver.

Comparison Overview

There are other appliances that provide satisfactory heating performance and capabilities. Here, we will compare wood stove inserts with other heating units to help you decide if they are the right fit for you.

Wood Stove vs. Fireplace Insert

Wood stoves and fireplace inserts are the two most commonly used heating appliances. Their effective heating capabilities and energy-efficient operations make them a great investment. The following is a comparison between these two products to help you find the right one for yourself.

Similarities

Both the units are ideal for heating any living space quite effectively. They have a high heat output that ensures you feel warm and cozy. These units are rated in BTUs. The two are also highly energy-efficient. They consume minimum energy while promising maximum heat output.

Differences

Wood stoves have a higher capacity as compared to fireplace inserts. They can accommodate more fuel with their large storage hoppers.

With a large storage hopper, wood stoves tend to operate longer than fireplace inserts. This is why they are considered ideal for large living spaces.

Wood Stove Insert vs. Pellet Stove Insert

Wood and pellet stove inserts are modern means of heating your living space. But which one is the right one for you? Let’s find out.

Similarities

These products feature an attractive and modern design. Both are sleek and often come with large viewing windows. They usually feature remote control access. As a result, adjusting heat and temperatures is quite easier than other units.

Differences

Pellet stove inserts are much cheaper than their wood ones. They charge a fairly low price while delivering a high heat output.

Wood Burning vs. Gas Fireplace Inserts 

Buyers often want to know which one is better, a wood-burning fireplace, or a gas one? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each type to determine the answer.

A wood burning fireplace insert creates a cozy atmosphere, is traditional, blends into the room and doesn’t require a gas line. In addition, the crackling, popping sounds of the fire and the comforting smell make this kind of fire a treat to the senses.

On the other hand, wood burning fireplaces are more time-consuming to get started and produce smoke, which must be properly vented. They are harder and more costly to install and run. You also need to clean up the ash and must continuously purchase wood.

Now let’s look at gas fireplaces. They are easy to light, convenient to operate, and often require little to no weekly maintenance. They don’t look as good as a wood fire, but give off plenty of heat. Depending on the design, the smoke and gases are vented outside so there’s no indoor pollution.  

However, gas fireplace inserts require a gas line, and sometimes their design doesn’t blend into the room very well. The glass doors can get hot though they are still very safe.

Conclusion 

Purchasing a new fireplace insert can be expensive, but the contemporary look and cozy feel it brings to your home is well worth it. Fireplace inserts are available in gas, wood, pellet, and electric options, and each one has their pros and cons.

Keep in mind the convenience of gas and electric fireplaces when making your purchase, as you will need to refill and clean up wood and pellet burning fireplace inserts. At the same time though, you get the best, most authentic flames and cozy fire experience from using real wood for fires. Whatever type you end up choosing, our list of top picks will help you make the right choice.

People Also Ask

There are several questions people ask about wood stove inserts. To ensure you have a reliable experience using these products, we have compiled a list of commonly asked questions.

How Much Do Wood Stove Inserts Cost?

The greater the size and features, the higher would be the price of the unit. Typically, an average wood stove insert costs about $3000-$4000, including installation.