If you want to remove the wood burning fireplace insert in your home, you’ll need to choose whether you want to hire someone or take on the task yourself. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, which we’ll discuss later in this guide. Before you begin, make sure that you have all the right tools and safety equipment before getting started.
Before You Get Started
How to Remove a Wood Burning Fireplace Insert: The fireplace in your home can be one of your favorite places. In addition to adding warmth and charm, it is functional. If you find that your fireplace needs an upgrade or move into a new home and want to do some decorating for winter, removing a wood-burning fireplace insert can easily be done at home with tools found around most homes. Before starting work on your fireplace, make sure it is completely cool.
Allow at least two hours after burning has stopped before beginning any process involving heat near gas lines or fireplaces. For safety reasons and because they can provide additional information during installation of best wood burning fireplace insert, use only manufacturer’s manuals and recommendations when installing new inserts.
Remove The Vent Cover
There’s typically a vent cover in front of your fireplace. This vent is used for air circulation and has an interior that allows warm air to escape. Use pliers to pull out any nails or screws, keep them in place, and then throw them away. You can install another vent cover with a built-in damper in its place.
This way, you’ll be able to control how much heat escapes your home by closing off part of the opening. However, if you want your fireplace working correctly again, make sure that you install something heavy enough so it won’t blow over. At the same time, open flames are present, including insulation on either side if necessary.
Take Down the Mantel
Before you can extract your old fireplace insert, you’ll need to remove any mounting hardware, including any bolts and brackets that secured it in place. Once everything is removed, dismantle your existing mantle; it will be attached directly to your hearth (the brick surface surrounding your fireplace).
A wooden mantel might have some hidden fasteners that can be pried up with a pry bar or chisel. If yours is cemented into place, use an electric drill fitted with a masonry bit or rotary hammer and break it apart from the hearth. You may also be able to use an angled chisel or sledgehammer to dislodge bricks if they’re held together by mortar.
Unscrew the Brackets
Take out your screwdriver and unscrew those bolts on both sides of your fireplace. These brackets are meant to be held in place by these screws, so they’ll easily pop off with a turn or two.
You can make sure you don’t lose them by putting them into your toolbox as you go along. Be careful not to damage any wall coverings behind those brackets because if you do, you could end up with some pretty big repairs once everything is said and done.
Move The Insert Out
Before removing anything else, take-down any damper boxes and fireplace doors; without these in place, you’ll have an easier time accessing other parts of your fireplace insert. Next, get out your tools—usually, you’ll need a hammer and flat head screwdriver (but check with your manufacturer for specific tool needs).
Pry off all wires and connectors to your fireplace unit; usually, about six or seven of them. Pry them off as gently as possible to don’t damage them. You should also unplug all of your firebox fans before attempting to remove them; if it is hardwired, turn off its circuit breaker.
Remove the Damper Box And Fireplace Doors
If you don’t plan on using your fireplace, it’s time to say goodbye. Remove any items from your fireplace. If you want, sweep and vacuum out any dust or dirt that may have accumulated over time.
Turn off and unplug your fireplace before beginning with the removal steps. You don’t want an electric shock! If it is not possible or safe for you to do so, call a professional for help with removing your hearth kit, or consult an expert who will know how best to do it safely for you.
Clean Up Your Mess
The first step in removing your existing chimney is to clean up all of your materials, tools, and debris so you can start fresh. That means picking up any leftovers from your recent fire, cleaning off that little bit of ash on your hearth, and sweeping those ashes in their receptacle. Be sure to leave room for your new heat source too!
If you have smaller children or pets around (or plan on using a wood-burning stove indoors), keep any equipment like blowtorches and sanding equipment out of reach. While most manufacturers don’t explicitly warn against using these tools indoors, it’s best not to take chances when unnecessary.
What To Do Next
For both environmental and safety reasons, it’s best practice to have your old wood stove removed by a professional. If you’re trying to save money and do it yourself, please note that it is not advisable—stoves can be very heavy and may contain asbestos; even if they don’t, they need proper handling and disposal to ensure health. For example, scrap metal recycling firms will recycle most stoves, but they charge extra for non-standard items like glass doors or old electric stoves (which require special removal). Many will refuse certain stoves outright due to their size or weight. If you are still intent on doing it yourself, do plenty of research into safe removal practices prior!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you remove a wood stove fireplace insert?
You may not need to hire a contractor at all for some jobs. Projects like setting up and leveling your television, installing shelves in your garage, or assembling that computer you bought from Amazon are safe tasks for do-it-yourself (DIY)ers.
The Internet is full of how-to videos and instructions that can help get those jobs done safely, such as installing baseboard heaters and painting a room. Make sure you use appropriate safety gear when attempting any DIY project and understand that many tasks may require professional help—such as removing an old wood stove fireplace insert.
How much does it cost to remove a wood stove insert?
The cost to remove a wood stove insert varies from case to case but generally ranges from $250 – $1,000, depending on whether you can get any of your money back for it and how much time it takes. I recommend getting at least two estimates to know what range you’re working with before choosing which company will do it.
You should never pay anything upfront—that’s not smart when dealing with strangers (we all have our share of horror stories). Sometimes people ask if they can keep their old appliances in storage while saving up money. That’s fine—but make sure that whoever is storing it guarantees its safety first (and don’t forget about storage fees!).
How easy is it to remove a fireplace?
Before you start thinking about removing your fireplace, first ask yourself how easy it will be. You must consider how well it’s installed and whether or not it can be removed with ease or if it’s integrated into an intricate part of your home’s structure. If you aren’t confident that you can do so, we recommend hiring a professional contractor for the job instead because we want your home to remain structurally sound!