When a traditional fireplace would seem out of place, the Loft Series of contemporary burners complement the unique décor you worked so hard to achieve. The Loft Series Burner installs in any certified vent-free firebox or masonry fireplace to help complete your artistic statement. It operates as a vent-free system for heating or can be installed in a vented fireplace to provide the ambiance of a fire but without the heat. The Loft Series Burners are ideal when installed in Empire’s Deluxe Vent-Free Fireboxes – available in three sizes (32-inch, 36-inch and 42-inch) each in traditional louver front or flush front models. To completment the new Loft Series Burners, an optional polished black or stainless steel liner – exclusive to the Deluxe Firebox – creates the perfect setting.

Your Loft Series Burner arrives finished in lustrous matte black. Decorative accessory tops – available in polished black and brushed stainless steel – install in minutes without tools to instantly change the look and character of your fireplace.

Empire also offers three styles of decorative glass to conceal the burner and create the illusion of flame floating above a reflective field. All of the glass starts as tempered panes that are shattered, screened for the proper particle size, and tumbled to minimize sharp edges.

For a unique look with versatile design options, Contact us to custom create a LOFT fireplace or burner just for you!

Even after more than 15 years in the business, I am continually amazed at the technology being poured into something as seemingly primative as a wood heating stove.

Even though the EPA started regulating wood stove emissions in the late 80’s, the most significant improvements are just coming about in the industry. Today, the most common question I hear from shoppers is, “what is the meaning of catalytic vs. non-catalytic when referring to wood stoves?”

I can tell you, the whole catalytic / non-catalytic conversation is terribly overcomplicated by almost everyone associated with the industry.

Simply put, all stoves I sell are EPA certified for low emissions. Catalytic or non-catalytic ONLY relates to HOW these stoves achieve their secondary combustion to meet these strict requirements. A catalytic stove will pass exhaust through an active catalytic combustor whereas a non-catalytic stove will introduce air in a special way to cause secondary combustion to occur.

The quick-fix back in the late 80’s and early 90’s was to simply add a catalytic combustor and minor design modifications to a simple wood stove. This worked to reduce emissions, and for many years was the standard in efficiency.

Some manufacturers have failed to evolve past the early 90’s with their designs and continue to offer a simply designed stove with a catalytic combustor.

Some manufacturers have never offered a catalytic stove or did so only briefly in favor of a high-efficiency, non-catalytic design. Most manufacturers have evolved past catalytic combustors and now offer clean burning non-catalytic designs while the best of the best may offer your stove either way you like. Vermont Castings is just such a manufacturer.

Vermont Castings manufactures specialty lines in both Vermont Castings and Dutchwest brands. Vermont Castings offers 3 stoves, 1 insert and 1 fireplace in catalytic as well as  4 stoves, 1 insert and 1 fireplace in non-catalytic.

The dutchwest brand offer 3 catalytic wood stoves as well as 10 stoves and an insert in non-catalytic design.

As if these choices weren’t enough, there is always the follow-up question, “what is best for me?”

Personally, I am in favor of non-catalytic designs due primarilly to their lower cost of ownership. Catalytic combustors are sacrificial elements and will need replacement after 5-10 years depending on how much you use your stove and how well you maintain it. Heating primarilly with wood, you’re going to like changing your combustor every 5 years to keep your stove working like new.

As far as design function goes, generally you can expect that a well-designed catalytic stove will offer the highest efficiency and cleanest burning out of the box. MOST, but not all non-catalytic designs are relatively simple. MOST non-catalytic stoves will achieve secondary combustion (burning of smoke and emissions before they leave the stove) in the top of the stove by introducing super-heated air at a precise volume through air tubes or an airbox.

There is ONE manufacturer that is miles ahead of anyone else when it comes to innovative non-catalytic design. Since introducing the patented EVERBURN system to the market, Vermont Castings has set a new standard by which non-catalytic stoves are measured.

The EVERBURN system achieves remarkably long burn times as well as efficiency and emission numbers that rival catalytic systems without the additional cost of ownership. Would you expect anything less from a product designed and built 100% by the American worker? I think not.

While other “American” stoves are merely assembled in the USA of foreign acquired parts, Vermont Castings does it all right here in the USA from recycling metals and casting iron in their state-of-the-art foundry to final assembly and quality control, when you choose Vermont Castings, you choose to support American jobs and families.

This is a choice that does not cost you extra! When you stand a Vermont Castings stove next to ANY high-end manufacturer you will see that the prices are the same if not less for the Vermont Castings product line. The Dutchwest line comes in hundreds and even over $1,000 less than competitors and still MADE IN THE USA.

Although the price is soon forgotten, you’ll appreciate the value crated with these stoves since most stoves come standard with accessories other manufacturers sell as upgrades, you get a lot for your money when you choose Vermont Castings.

Come by or call today and let me compare a Vermont Castings stove to ANY other brand and you’ll see why you don’t have to search the globe to find the best stove or fireplace for your home.

We have this Vermont Casting Bordeaux on live burn display at the showroom. Come experience the world's cleanes burning stove for yourself.

You know, I get asked all the time, “What’s the best stove you have?” That is a hard question to answer for a lot of reasons. If the question were, “What’s teh best stove for my house and burning habits?” it would be a lot simpler answer.

In today’s market, I want to touch on something that is hardly ever considered. What is the best stove for America? Ever think about where your products come from, where their components are made or where they are assembled?

Let’s consider for just a minute that I had a stove line here at the shop that was 100% American made by Americans using parts also made in America. Would you buy it? What if the price was no more than foreign made products of like quality? What if the performance of the American product was far superior to anything made anywhere else in the world? Would that interest you?

I am very proud to say that I have just such a product. VERMONT CASTING is America’s stove company. The foundry, enameling and assembly facilities are in Vermont, USA and the company provides almost 400 American jobs. More than double that number when you consider the other opperations such as fireplaces, logs, metalwork, etc.

Vermont Castings stoves are the world’s most efficient appliances. Vermont castings wood stoves have reached efficiency levels better than many gas appliances on the market! That is amazing. Emissions have been reduced to the point they are almost eliminated completely with numbers falling well below 1 gram of emissions.

When you’re shopping higher end appliance such as the Cast-iron line of stoves, Vermont Castings, although superior in design and function, boast a price tag as affordable as other high end stoves produced overseas.

What Vermont Castings offers that others don’t is a line of efficient, clean burning stoves and inserts that are priced to agressively take market share from other manufacturers.

The Dutchwest line of cast-iron stoves will save you hundreds over other cast-iron models by any make. The Dutchwest steel stoves and inserts are unbeatable in price for their quality. Sure you can find a cheaper stove, but it will be disposable. Dutchwest has done a magnificent job making a durable product at an affordable price.

America is in a trying time with our jobs being lost and the economic issues we face and are yet to face. There are so many things we can do to look out for one another. One of those things is simply looking at where things you buy were made and buy American whenever you can. On a major purchase like your wood stove and chimney, you look out for many people and inlike smaller things, it doesn’t cost you more to buy a quality American made stove by Vermont Castings.

I have not had nearly enough time lately to post on the site so I hope to knock out a few items with this article if that’s cool with you?

1. We’re replacing some stoves for customers and bringing in some really nice stuff for consignment. We’ve even brought in a couple very nice EPA certified stoves that have a lot of good life left in them. This presents a great opportunity for you to add an environmentally friendly heating stove to your home and save a bunch of cash. Give us a call to check what’s in stock and for pricing. 

2. We’re extending all our sales for just a little longer. Response has been HUGE for our chimney liner specials. Don’t miss out on a bargain as supply gets drained and demand increases, consumers typically pay more. Not because of me, but because I pay more too. I’m keeping liner prices low, low, low as long as I can and I continue to offer free shipping to your door. Call me up for a quote on your chimney liner kit. Save some money while keeping your family safe by liner your masonry chimney. Hey, if your masonry chimney is new and perfect, line it an it will always remain new and perfect. Damage it in a chimney fire and you’ll have to line it anyway. Here’s you chance to safe on prevention.

3. SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE… Maintenance and service numbers were really down this summer and they remain down. Either you’re calling someone else or you’re neglecting critical maintenance. You would never call anyone but Jack so you must be neglecting maintenance. LISTEN, you’re my friends and I do love you a whole lot more than just because you buy stoves and fireplaces. I want you to be safe. I feel the economic crunch with you but please don’t neglect service. We’re getting busy and it is going to be hard to get an appontment in a few weeks. The following are critically important to maintain and inspect;

     a. VENT FREE LOGS AND APPLIANCES: Although engineered safe to use without a chimney, these wonders MUST be services regularly. Annual maintenance is critical. If these things are neglected and malfunction, you could cause severe damage to your home and health in just a matter of minutes!

     b. CHIMNEY CLEANING: Chimney cleaning is important. ESPECIALLY if you have a wood stove or insert. If you have an old stove, GOOD LORD YOU BETTER NOT NEGLECT IT! A chimney fire is scary and absolutely will cost you thousands of dollars in damage to your chimney if you’re lucky! You could burn  your house down as well. Chimney fires can often reach temperatures over 2,000 degrees. Call us for your cleaning appointment.

     c. VENTED GAS APPLIANCES: Although it is more critical to maintain a vent free appliance, it is also important to maintain your vented gas appliances as well. Gas appliances don’t give many warnings before their safety systems cause them to stop working. My annual service & diagnostics service will find those little items about to fail and get them replaced so your stove continues to be efficient and reliable. Nothing is worse than waking up to a cold house because you neglected to have the gas stove checked out before the season.

     d. MASONRY SEALER: Did you know the masonry around your home’s exterior would last 20 times longer if you would just seal it so water does not penetrate it? What happens in winter is that water soaks into your masonry work then freezes and expands. That causes cracks and spawling. Eventually, your masonry will lose its integrity and require rebuilding or major repairs. You can buy a sealer yourself and apply but I encourage you to call me and have me do the work with my specially formulated professional products. Even the best you can buy has to be applied every year. Our professional grade products come with a 10-year written warranty. Ours are vapor permiable as well. That is just a fancy way of saying water that’s already in can come out but no new water can go in. The product breathes. This ensures any moisture already there can escape. Give me a call. Imagine, hire me to do seal all your masonry and forget about it for a whole decade! The cost is a lot less than you might think too. I can come out and give you an estimate if you like.

There we go folks. That should be enough to chew on for a day or two. I gotta run get to work before I get too behind. Call me up anytime you have a question. I’m here to help. That doesn’t always come at a cost. Be safe out there!

Jack

Here are a few photos from the showroom.

I have a couple exciting new brands I’m representing in the showroom. Those are OSBURN and BLAZE KING. I have also maintained my relationships with REGENCY, HAMPTON EXCALIBUR & NAPOLEAN. You can find my major manufacturers listed on the right side of this page under MY MANUFACTURERS.

This shop, although smaller than I’m used to, is going to represent the best in the industry. I’ve shopped and investigated manufacturers in an effort to weed out things that you really should avoid.

Come on into the showroom Monday through Friday, 9-5 and we’ll go over what we offer to meet your needs.

Here are a few photos from this morning at the shop. Click thumbnails to view larger images. Enjoy…

We’re bringing on a relatively new stove in the shop that has really turned a lot of heads.

BLAZE KING stoves are boasting some innovative features and serving up some very impressive statistics. Here are just a couple numbers that you’ll find impressive…

90 – That’s how many pounds of wood the King model will hold at one time!

40 – That’s how many hours the King model will burn on a single load of wood!

1 – Yes, owners can typically burn 1 whole cord of wood before cleaning the stove ashes!

82.5- That’s the efficiency rating! How about a wood stove with ratings as high as gas stoves? I love it!

1.86 – That’s the grams of emissions for the King model. By far among the worlds most environment friedly wood stoves.

90 – That’s the percentage of creosote that is incinerated by the King model keeping your chimney cleaner and safer.

6 – My personal looks rating for this stove. Hey, this stove is made to work not to win beauty contests.

CLICK HERE for the anatomy poster

CLICK HERE for the BLAZE KING King model brochure

CALL OR COME BY to talk more about the Blaze King stoves.

Blaze King offers wood stoves, gas stoves, a gas fireplace and wood inserts.

Moisture is the natural enemy of all masonry materials.

• Chemical reactions can cause unsightly stains and runs.
• Masonry is like a sponge – absorbing water
• When obsorbed moisture freezes, masonry materials crack, spawl, and eventually crumble.
• Watter, added to flue products creates an acidic environment extremely destructive to flue tiles, liners, and masonry materials.
• Driveways, sidewalks, foundations, walls, patios are all subject to the damaging effects of water. We can also clean your masonry if needed. Patios, garage floors and driveways can look almost new again and then be sealed to keep them that way.

WE HAVE A CURE!

Sure you can run down to Home Depot and buy some water seal and spray it all over your house and do a fair job at it. However, masonry protection is a very sophisticated realm.

We use highly specialized products for sealing masonry structures that are vapor-permeable. In simple terms, they allow masonry to breath out but not in. Any moisture that was already soaked in will be exhaled but no new moisture can enter the masonry structure. In fact, our products can halt destruction to a structure with visible damage!

Using consumer-grade protection ensures your work is never ending. Off-the-shelf products must be re-applied every year and maybe more often than that! Our professional products are guaranteed for 10 year protection! Do the math and you will quickly see the value in calling Jack’s to seal all your masonry and then forgetting about it until the year 2020!

Call us today and we’ll come estimate your costs on-site. 828-367-0031 or email Jack@firebyjack.com

But, for the frugal homeowner summertime presents a wealth of value and security by having your annual services done in the off-season when business is slower. What’s more is the faster you get the gunk out of your chimney and take care of small repairs, the better your home will smell and you help ensure your chimney is not being further damaged by postponing maintenance.

We are slashing prices through june on our in-house services such as;

• Gas log service
• Gas stove & fireplace service
• Chimney cleaning
• stove maintenance & repairs
• installations

When July comes, although it is still hot, people start thinking about winter again and preparing. RIGHT NOW you can save a lot and eliminate the scheduling hassles to come by scheduling your services to be done while our calendar is not so full.

Shoot us an email at Jack@firebyjack.com or give us a call at 828-367-0031. YES, we work on Saturdays if you need us then!

If you’ve gotten up to date on fire safety codes you might have been pleasantly surprised to learn that according to the law, you can still shove a stovepipe through a metal plate and into the fireplace. If that is your plan, I want to strongly urge you to reconsider. I have several reasons;

1. The code should be updated to address a severe safety risk associated with this practice. Without connecting the stove vent to the lined chimney area, all masonry parts of the fireplace are coated in creosote and virtually impossible to properly clean. This causes a major fire hazard. At the VERY LEAST you should install a direct-connect package (pictured) to get the flue products into the chimney without coating the fireplace ans smoke shelf.
2. The stove may require a reduction in chimney diameter to work properly. Today’s high efficiency wood appliances are putting almost all of their heat into the home. This means stack temperatures are much lower than in an older stove. Heat powers the chimney and creates draft. Less heat means weaker draft. Whereas an old  stove might have worked great with a 13 inch chimney, your new model may not work at all until you properly size the chimney to fit the appliance.
3. The absolute best installation for function and safety is to line your chimney from stove to cap with the proper size. Your stove will perform its best and your chimney will always remain in the condition it was in before you added the liner.
4. With a full reline you will never have to worry about the tolls of age on your masonry chimney. Keeping the heat and corrosives contained in the stainless-steel liner system will ensure your masonry chimney stays like new.
5. Chimney cleaning is much easier with a direct connect kit than with the “into the fireplace” method which is tedious and practically impossible to do right. However, if you spring for a few more bucks and install a full liner system, cleaning will be a breeze every year. In fact, with a full liner system, you could buy your own brush and rods and do the cleaning yourself saving about $150 per cleaning! Cleaning up after lesser installations will likely require special equipment and you should call a professional.

I hope this article answers a few questions you may have about relining. Remember, if your chimney is damaged or not up to code, you MUST fully reline it to be safe. Also, if you are installing a gas stove you MUST fit the stove with the proper size liner for the stove. If you have any questions or need an evaluation, you can always call on us at 828-367-0031 or shoot me an email to Jack@FireByJack.com for a quick response.