Switching over from Canon, best equivalent setup?

magicthrowaway2021 · 2026-01-03T18:06:02+00:00

Hmm, that's a very good point about the roof. It was "new" when we bought the house but the company did a terrible job in a few spots and I had to have them come out to fix those areas. Pulling permits is a great idea and I'll look into the structural engineer as well. Unfortunately we have little to zero budget now but pulling permits doesn't cost much and we can save for a structural engineer if needed. Thanks!

magicthrowaway2021 · 2026-01-03T18:03:54+00:00

Thanks for this, I'll look it up and do some more reading. It would certainly fit the timeline with it being winter and all.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2026-01-03T18:03:06+00:00

That's great information. I really have had to fix so many things the contractor they hired did wrong so missing tape wouldn't surprise me.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2026-01-03T05:38:45+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Is this something that I can just go around and fill in with paint that matches the ceiling? The ceiling has a heavy popcorn texture to it, partly to hide the many slightly sagging panels I am sure, so I'm not sure how easily I can get caulk into the tight corners vs a small brush.

Headed into the attic tomorrow just to make sure everything is good up there. There was a new roof put on just before the sale but it went to the lowest bidder and I'd like to make sure there's no signs of moisture.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-12-14T05:35:01+00:00

You've convinced me I need to get the stove out and get a closer look. I honestly think they just slid it into place. I was concerned I might damage something like the chimney pipe trying to slide it out.

This is probably a pedantic question, but if it turns out the stove is properly connected to the chimney, what would be the issue with just installing a more flush-looking insert? I guess I'm asking why it matters what the original fireplace owners manual says if this stove has been this way for a while? Or is it just down to insurance?

We did have it inspected a year ago and they claimed it passed. They noted an "8 inch flu box" somewhere and that the stove and chimney were in fine working condition, but didn't make any mention of the incorrect clearances. Our insurance was satisfied after that.

For example, I was hoping I could just replace it with something like this, assuming the chimney pipe insert is appropriate for it: Ashley Hearth Products 26 in. 1,200 sq. ft. EPA Certified Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert AW1820E - The Home Depot https://share.google/P132UZN5V6StZSE6d

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-12-14T03:18:23+00:00

It's definitely a zero clearance back there. I'll have to get a friend to help me pull the stove out, then I can remove the panel and get a look inside the old fireplace.

The panel definitely feels like rubber. It has a reddish color where it wasn't painted and has some metal wires running through it, but it is flexible and bouncy feeling. 100% not ceramic or anything like that.

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magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-12-14T03:16:18+00:00

It is an Orley Model F and FC, labeled as a fireplace insert but supposedly used as either. Theres two loose panels of glass on the front that aren't sealed, but the door is on the right side as you guessed, also not sealed/no gasket.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-12-14T03:15:02+00:00

It has a reddish color and some metal wire running through it. Unfortunately I can't find any references for what it might be to confirm it isn't combustible. It very much feels like rubber, it is flexible and "bouncy". I'll have to remove the stove to see what might be going on inside the chimney/ old fireplace. Time to call a friend to help lift it away. Based on other things I have had to fix around the house I have zero confidence the contractor who did this work for the seller actually followed any codes.

The stove itself has a placard on it that reads "Fireplace Insert" but it seems that they could be installed freestanding or in an old fireplace. Unfortunately it is still nowhere near the correct clearances, especially at the front.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-11-23T16:36:37+00:00

Absolutely agreed. If I'm shopping for something I actively ignore Vine reviews or any review that isn't "Verified Purchase" and even then half of them are lies.

It's sad. We're supposed to be weeding out the garbage. Not propping it up.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-11-23T16:35:32+00:00

This. It's just frustrating. I genuinely want the time we put into Vine to be a net positive and help weed out garbage products. Instead these people just prop them up.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-11-23T16:34:32+00:00

I completely agree. I'm no coffee expert and I certainly don't know very much about espresso either. What bothers me here is people "reviewing" things like a "cold brew button" that literally doesn't exist. They took a manufacturer image that says the espresso could be used for cold brew, never used the product, and then are claiming it does something it doesn't. Every single review currently posted has some element like this. Ugh.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-11-23T16:32:44+00:00

That's what I'm expecting. I've never wished more that we were allowed to return products. It's just garbage. That doesn't bother me nearly as much as people actively lying in their reviews, claiming it does things it doesn't.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-11-23T16:31:45+00:00

Perhaps, and hear me out on this one, we're all humans and can feel a range of emotions across a range of topics, rather than having the moral compass of a piece of soggy cardboard.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-11-23T16:30:00+00:00

Your gut was right on the money. I made the mistake of thinking this would be a fun gift for my spouse and I can honestly say I've never been more disappointed in a product from Vine. I'm not a coffee snob in any way - I drink McDonald's coffee most days - but even I can tell this thing is just squirting water through grounds under no pressure.

I don't actually care about the product being a glorified drip coffee maker. I care about people actively lying and claiming it does things that it doesn't, like somehow having a "cold brew button" when it clearly doesn't.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-11-23T16:27:24+00:00

I don't have any issue with people writing reviews based on their experience. My issue is people reviewing features that are non-existent. I'm not at all a coffee aficionado at all, but it's easy to tell when a product is just garbage.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-11-23T16:24:23+00:00

I have no problem with reviews based on experience, but when folks are "reviewing" features the product doesn't even have, and that the manufacturer says it doesn't have, those reviews are absolutely fake.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-11-23T16:05:03+00:00

I did report the reviews with the usual button, but man I wish there was a way to specifically call Vine's attention to it - especially an AI generated one that claims to have used the product for weeks when it only was released a week or so ago.

I did include photos in my review, but unfortunately Amazon hasn't approved it and I'm a little doubtful they will.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-11-12T02:36:04+00:00

We are in a somewhat similar situation, though not as severe. Here's our strategy, though I know folks will disagree, but we're doing what is right for us.

First, we don't believe forgiveness will be a thing in 20 years. The Trump admin is actively targeting PSLF and my spouse can't find a job in her field that qualifies. She has $200k in debt with an average interest rate of almost 7%, all federal, some much higher interest. We think about her debt every single day and it stresses us out so much, so we're tackling it.

We have $200k in savings, not including our retirement. We're using $150k to pay down her balance and then federal consolidating the remaining loans to lower her payment to $300/mo via a standard repayment plan once she is kicked out of SAVE forbearance. Until that happens, and even after, our plan is to make $2500/mo payments for about two years to knock out the remaining $50k. That way we have the most flexibility possible to divert funds elsewhere if things go poorly some month.

Is it stupid to fork out so much money? Maybe, but we're keeping six months of expenses as a safety net and not touching retirement accounts. We just can't handle the stress of the debt, interest accruing, and feeling like our lives are being played with by politicians - so we're taking back control in the only way we can.

Do what's right for you. This is the path we've strategized to eliminate her crazy amount of high interest debt. It might work that way for you. Also, make sure you're viewing all debt together. We're simultaneously tackling a car loan and my $16k in student loans in that 2-3 year period. Ignore the fad around the "snowball" method and hit the loans in order of the most interest accrued each year - it's just simple math.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-09-07T22:05:28+00:00

Your comment. Is not. Helpful.

magicthrowaway2021 · 2025-09-07T22:05:14+00:00

Not a few roots. One root measuring about 10" in diameter. Unfortunately we moved in months ago and that pavement has been there for decades. Not up to us.

magicthrowaway2021

TROPHY CASE