Enerzone Destination 2.3 Wood Insert

Right buyer

Owners of a working masonry fireplace who want to convert an inefficient open hearth into a serious heat source — up to 2,100 sq ft of zone heating capability with a 2.4 ft³ firebox, 20-inch log capacity, and an 8-hour maximum burn cycle. Reasonable insulation, access to seasoned hardwood at 15–20% moisture, and an existing masonry fireplace that meets the minimum opening dimensions (23 3/4" H × 28 7/8" W × 19 5/8" D per manual) are the basic requirements.

Buyers who want a contemporary aesthetic. The Destination 2.3 ships with a smooth cast-iron flush-mount surround designed to sit nearly flush with the masonry — a cleaner, more modern look than traditional louvered insert faces. The 35 7/8" × 25" standard surround fits most modern masonry openings; optional backing plates extend the cover area for older or larger openings.

Buyers who want a single appliance to do the work of zone heating across a main living area. The 14,200–44,500 BTU/hr tested output band covers shoulder-season heating on the low end and serious cold-snap output on the high end. With the heat-activated 90 CFM blower, warm air circulates from the firebox jacket out into the room automatically once the insert is up to temperature.

Wrong buyer

Not for buyers without an existing code-compliant masonry fireplace. Wood inserts must be installed inside a lined masonry fireplace with a continuous stainless-steel chimney liner running the full height. This insert is not approved for factory-built (prefab) metal fireplaces, mobile homes, or any installation outside a masonry hearth.

Not for buyers expecting 10+ hour overnight burns. The 8-hour manufacturer maximum is achievable on a packed load of dense hardwood with the air shut down hard, but useful heat from a packed load is realistically 6–7 hours. For longer burns, step up to a 3.0+ ft³ firebox or consider catalytic technology.

Not for buyers wanting traditional decorative cast-iron styling. The Destination 2.3 surround is intentionally clean and modern — sleek lines, minimal ornamentation, picture-frame proportions. Buyers wanting heavy decorative cast iron should look at the Osburn Matrix Insert (same platform, more traditional look) or premium-tier alternatives.

The Destination 2.3 Insert is approved only for installation inside an existing code-compliant masonry fireplace with a continuous stainless-steel chimney liner. It is not approved for installation in factory-built (prefab) metal fireplaces, in mobile or manufactured homes, in alcoves, or as a freestanding unit. The masonry fireplace and chimney must be inspected before installation for cracks, loose mortar, creosote, blockage, or other signs of deterioration.

Minimum masonry opening

If a fresh-air intake is being installed, add a minimum of 4 inches to the width. Plan for a small installation margin above the insert to seat the liner adapter — an opening exactly at the minimum will be a tight install. Measure carefully before ordering.

Projection kit (optional)

If the fireplace depth is less than the minimum 19 5/8", the optional projection kit (SBI AC01323) extends the insert 2 or 4 inches forward of the fireplace facing. With the kit installed, the depth requirement reduces to 17 5/8" (2" projection) or 15 5/8" (4" projection). The projection kit requires an optional backing plate (AC01322 or AC01332) to be installed first — the projection kit attaches to the backing plate, not directly to the insert. Ordered as a separate accessory.

Faceplate options

The standard cast-iron flush-mount surround covers most masonry openings. For larger openings, an optional backing plate attaches to the back of the standard surround to extend the cover area and seal off the fireplace face. For raised-hearth installations, matching bottom backing plates (AC01321 for 44" × 6" or AC01333 for 50" × 6") are available. Selected at order if needed.

Clearances to combustibles

Reduced clearances are not available by means of heat shields on this insert — the figures above are the binding minimums.

Floor protection

Floor protection requirements depend on whether the existing masonry hearth is raised 5 inches or more above the surrounding combustible floor. If the hearth is raised 5 inches or more, a non-combustible floor protector with no R-value is required and must extend at least 16 inches in front of the unit in the USA, 18 inches in Canada. If the hearth is raised less than 5 inches, a non-combustible floor protector with an R-value of at least 1.00 is required and must extend at least 23 inches in front of the unit. The manual includes a thermal-resistance lookup table for common floor protection materials (brick, cement board, ceramic tile, marble) to calculate the required R-value combination.

Chimney and liner

The Destination 2.3 requires a continuous 6-inch stainless-steel chimney liner extending from the insert flue collar to the top of the chimney. The liner must conform to ULC S635 or CAN/ULC-S640 (Canada) or UL 1777 (USA) and be rated for solid fuel. Per the manual, minimum chimney height is 12 feet. The chimney must extend at least 3 feet above the highest point of contact with the roof and at least 2 feet above any roof line or obstacle within 10 feet horizontally, subject to local code and installer verification.

Reduction of the liner diameter below 6 inches is not permitted in the USA — 6 inches is the minimum. In Canada only, a 5-inch liner is permitted if the masonry chimney exceeds 20 feet total height and the application is verified and authorized by a qualified installer. The insert is not approved for a "positive flue connection" to clay tile — a continuous stainless liner is required.

If the existing fireplace's throat damper is to remain, it must be locked open to clear the liner; otherwise the damper plate must be removed. A sheet-metal block-off plate (or, in Canada per CSA B365, mineral wool packing around the liner) is recommended at the throat to reduce cold-air backdraft into the room. An insulated liner (or pre-insulated liner with a wrap) improves draft and reduces creosote, and is required by code in some jurisdictions for clearance reasons.

Outside air

An optional fresh-air intake kit is available for code jurisdictions requiring outside combustion air or for tight new-construction homes with mechanical ventilation. A smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector are required in the room where the insert is installed.

Code compliance

Code compliance for any specific installation is determined by the local Authority Having Jurisdiction. Manufacturer listings cover what the insert is approved for; the AHJ approves what is permitted at your address. A WETT (Canada), NFI, or CSIA (USA) certified installer is strongly recommended and frequently required by code, permit, or insurance. In Canada the CSA B365 standard applies; in the USA, ANSI NFPA 211 applies. Confirm local requirements before purchasing.

California Proposition 65

This product can expose you to chemicals including carbon monoxide, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65warnings.ca.gov.

Ships with the insert

• Destination 2.3 wood insert (EB00044) with welded carbon-steel firebox, arched cast-iron glazed door, and contemporary cast-iron flush-mount surround
• Heat-activated 90 CFM blower assembly with AUTO/MANUAL/OFF switch, drawer-mounted for service access
• C-Cast baffle and stainless-steel secondary-air tube assembly
• High-density refractory firebrick lining
• Liner starter adapter brackets and hardware
• Damper-removal warning plate (for installations where the masonry throat damper is removed)
• Owner's manual and product documentation

Sold separately

• 6-inch continuous stainless-steel chimney liner kit (UL 1777, CAN/ULC-S635, or CAN/ULC-S640) — required for installation, sized to the chimney height
• Hearth extension or floor protector sized per manual specifications, with R-value of at least 1.00 if hearth is raised less than 5 inches
• Optional faceplate backing plate (SBI AC01322 or AC01332) — see "Where it can go" for details
• Optional bottom faceplate backing plate (AC01321 or AC01333) — for raised-hearth installations; see "Where it can go" for details
• Optional projection kit (SBI AC01323) — see "Where it can go" for details
• Optional 5-inch fresh-air intake kit (SBI AC01298) — for code jurisdictions requiring outside combustion air or for tight new-construction homes
• Optional 5-inch insulated flex pipe for fresh-air intake (SBI AC02090) — UL 181 class 0 or class 1 insulated HVAC pipe
• Optional 5-inch fresh-air intake register with airtight damper (SBI AC01349) — closable outside-air damper; do not close while the insert is in use
• Optional rigid fire screen (SBI AC01315) — not permitted for open-door use in the United States or in Canadian provinces/jurisdictions with particulate-emission limits; never leave the insert unattended when used with a fire screen
• Optional liner offset adapter or liner fastening system (SBI AC02006) — for installations where the chimney throat geometry requires offset connection; restricts flow somewhat and should only be used when no other option is possible and chimney height is at least 20 feet
• Pin-type wood moisture meter — not optional in practice
• Flue thermometer — strongly recommended for insert installations since stove-top temperature isn't accessible
• Installation by an authorized qualified technician (WETT, NFI, or CSIA certified) — required for warranty coverage and often required by code, permit, or insurance

The 75,000 BTU/hr maximum is a peak rating, transient, achieved on dry cordwood at high loading density and short reload intervals. The figure that matters for daily life is the sustained output across a full burn cycle, which lands in the 14,200–44,500 BTU/hr band per the CSA B415.1-10 stack-loss method — a usable range that covers shoulder-season heating on the low end and serious cold-snap output on the high end.

A realistic burn cycle from a packed load of well-seasoned hardwood produces a 30–45 minute warm-up, 2–3 hours of strong sustained heat once the firebox and surrounding masonry come up to temperature, then a gradual decline over the next 3–4 hours with a coal bed remaining. Total useful heat from one full pack is realistically 6–7 hours, occasionally approaching the 8-hour manufacturer maximum with dense hardwood, mild weather, and a packed coal bed.

The masonry around the insert acts as a thermal mass. Once the surrounding brick or stone is up to temperature, it continues radiating heat into the room well after the active fire has died down. This is one of the underappreciated benefits of an insert versus a freestanding stove — the masonry stores and releases heat on its own cycle. The first hour from a cold start is the slowest because that mass has to come up to temperature; once it's hot, response time is faster.

The 90 CFM heat-activated blower is what gets the heat into the room. Because most of the insert's firebox sits inside the masonry cavity, the radiant heat that would otherwise reach the room from a freestanding stove is partly absorbed by the surrounding brick. The convection jacket around the firebox captures that heat and the blower pushes it out through the bottom of the surround. With the switch in AUTO, the blower starts automatically once the insert is hot enough and stops when it cools — set the position and forget about it. With the switch in MANUAL, the blower runs continuously regardless of insert temperature.

Allow the insert to reach operating temperature (approximately one hour from a cold start) before turning the blower to MANUAL. Per the manual, turning the blower on too early during start-up pulls heat away from the firebox and slows the build-up to clean combustion. AUTO mode handles this timing automatically.

Air-wash glass stays largely clear during proper hot burns at moderate-to-high air settings. At low burn rates with marginally seasoned wood, the glass will tar. This is universal to non-catalytic stoves and inserts, not specific to Enerzone.

Power-failure operation: the insert continues to burn safely without electricity — only the blower stops. Heat distribution drops noticeably without the blower because the masonry cavity absorbs most of the firebox radiation. Plan accordingly if you're buying this insert specifically as a power-outage heat source.

Insert, not a freestanding stove. The Destination 2.3 requires an existing masonry fireplace plus a full stainless-steel chimney liner — there's no other approved installation path. Buyers without a masonry fireplace should look at a freestanding equivalent (Enerzone Solution 2.3 or Osburn 2000) instead.

Same firebox as the Solution 2.3-I and Osburn Matrix Insert. The Destination 2.3, the Enerzone Solution 2.3-I, and the Osburn Matrix Insert share the same SBI medium-large insert performance platform — same firebox, same combustion chamber, same 20-inch log capacity, same 75,000 BTU/hr maximum output. The differences are surround style, blower CFM, and emissions tuning. The Destination 2.3 has the contemporary flush-mount surround and a 90 CFM blower; the Solution 2.3-I has a more traditional faceplate and a stronger 144 CFM blower; the Matrix Insert has a similar contemporary look to the Destination but with the Osburn brand finish and lower-emission tuning. Choose by the look and bundling you prefer.

Medium-large firebox, medium-long burn time. A 2.4 ft³ non-cat insert gives you meaningful primary-heat capability across 1,200–1,800 sq ft, with realistic 6–7 hour burn cycles. If you want true 10+ hour overnight burns, step up to a 3.0+ ft³ insert or to a catalytic stove with a real low-output mode.

The 2,100 sq ft figure is aspirational. The most consistent owner regret across medium-large inserts is buying for the high end of the manufacturer's heating range. If you need to reliably heat more than ~1,800 sq ft as primary winter heat in a cold climate or older home, step up a firebox size — the Destination 2.7 gives meaningfully more usable heat for the same operational effort.

The blower is essential, not optional. Unlike a freestanding stove where the blower meaningfully improves heat distribution, on an insert the blower is what gets the heat into the room at all. Most of the firebox sits inside the masonry cavity, which absorbs radiant heat. The insert will run safely without the blower (useful in a power outage), but day-to-day heat into the room depends on the blower being on and working.

2.3 g/hr emissions is mid-pack for the category. The Destination 2.3 is well within the EPA 2020 cordwood limit (2.5 g/hr) but is not class-leading on emissions. Buyers who specifically want lower emissions for an EPA non-attainment county should compare the Osburn Matrix Insert (same platform, 1.54 g/hr tuning) or the Destination 2.7 (1.2 g/hr, larger firebox).

Existing fireplace dimensions are non-negotiable. The masonry opening must meet the manual's minimum dimensions (23 3/4" H × 28 7/8" W × 19 5/8" D). Backing plates can cover a larger opening, but they cannot compensate for an undersized one. The projection kit can extend the insert forward by 2 or 4 inches if depth is short, but not enough to fit a substantially shallow fireplace. Measure before purchase.

Wood quality is not negotiable. The most common "the insert doesn't heat" complaint comes from owners running marginally seasoned wood. Secondary combustion works best with dry, properly seasoned fuel, ideally around 15–20% moisture. A pin-type moisture meter is the single best accessory for this insert.

Contemporary, not traditional. The cast-iron flush-mount surround is intentionally clean and modern. Buyers wanting heavy decorative cast iron, louvered faceplates, or visible-grille traditional styling should look at the Solution 2.3-I (more traditional faceplate) or premium-tier alternatives.

First burns. The first few fires cure the high-temperature paint and condition the internal components. Burn two or three small fires first, then build bigger, hotter fires until the paint smell is gone. The smell can be strong; ventilate the room well and avoid prolonged exposure during cure-in.

Lighting. The manual describes three methods: conventional (newspaper, kindling, larger pieces from bottom up), top-down (full firewood on bottom, kindling and newspaper on top, burns top down for 2+ hours), or two-parallel-logs (two split logs with newspaper between them, kindling across, log-cabin style). Top-down is the cleanest-burning method for cold starts. Whichever method you use, open the air control fully, light the paper, leave the door slightly ajar until the kindling is fully engaged, then close and latch the door.

Air control. Single-lever, located underneath the ash shelf. Pull the handle completely (HIGH) to open the air; push completely (LOW) to close it. Full open at light-off; gradually closed only after the load is fully engaged and stable secondary flames are established. The manual specifies closing the primary air control gradually from the time the door closes to fully closed — too fast and the fire smolders.

Blower switch positions. The 90 CFM blower assembly has a three-position switch: (1) MANUAL — runs continuously regardless of insert temperature; (2) OFF — blower stopped; (3) AUTO — blower starts when the insert is hot enough and stops when it cools down. Use AUTO for normal operation; use MANUAL only when you want continuous airflow regardless of temperature. Allow the insert to reach operating temperature before turning the blower to MANUAL from a cold start.

Reload cadence. 3–4 hours between reloads in active heating use; up to 7 hours for a final overnight pack with the air shut hard. Rake remaining charcoal toward the front of the firebox before loading — this concentrates the coals near where most of the combustion air enters and helps ignite the new load. Load three logs east-west on the coal bed with 1 inch of air space from the rear firebrick, then two more logs angled slightly on top. Open the air for a minute or two before opening the door, open the door slowly to avoid smoke rollout, load, close the door, and run the air open until the load is fully engaged before reducing gradually. Do not elevate the fire by using a grate.

Burn in cycles, not single-log feeds. The manual is explicit: do not attempt to produce steady heat output by placing a single log on the fire at regular intervals. Always place at least three (preferably more) pieces on the fire at a time so the heat radiated from one piece helps ignite the pieces next to it. Each load should provide several hours of heating.

Ash management. Empty ash every 2–3 days during full-time heating. The best time to remove ash is after an overnight fire when the insert is relatively cool but there is still some chimney draft to draw ash dust into the insert rather than into the room. Always dispose of ash in a tightly covered metal container on a non-combustible surface, well away from combustible materials — ash retains hot embers for days. Never store ashes indoors, in a non-metallic container, or on a wooden deck.

Glass cleaning. Damp newspaper dipped in cold ash, or a dedicated ceramic-glass cleaner. Daily wipe during low-burn weather; weekly during high-burn. Black streaks at the lower edge mean wet wood; black uniformly across the glass means burns are running too cool. Brown stains at the lower corners mean smoky combustion. Do not clean the glass when the insert is hot, and do not strike or slam the glass door shut.

Door and glass gaskets. Per the manual, the door gasket needs replacement when the paper-strip test fails: close the door on a strip of paper and try to pull it out; firm resistance means the gasket is sealing, easy pull means it's time to replace. Test all the way around the door, not just at the latch. The latch mechanism is adjustable via the door pressure plate bolts. Plan on every 3–5 seasons in regular use.

Annual chimney sweep. Per the manual, the chimney liner should be cleaned and inspected at least once each year. Inspect every two months during the heating season until you know your creosote-formation rate; monthly is safer for new burners. If buildup reaches 1/8 inch, sweep immediately. The baffle lifts out for sweep access. Insert installations make sweeping more involved than freestanding stoves — many owners hire a CSIA-certified sweep rather than doing it themselves.

Wood seasoning. Hardwood needs 12–24 months split, stacked off the ground, top-covered, with sun and wind on the sides. Don't trust supplier "seasoned" claims — use a pin-type moisture meter, split a piece in half, measure the fresh face. Manual target: 15–20% moisture. Wood above 25% will smolder, soot the glass, line the chimney with creosote, and undercut every published efficiency and emissions number on this page.

Blower maintenance. Keep the blower intake and fins free of dust. The drawer-mounted assembly slides out for service access — vacuum dust accumulation annually. Do not oil the blower unless the blower manual specifically calls for lubrication. Replacement blowers and related service parts are available through Enerzone/SBI dealers and parts channels if needed years out.

What never to burn. Per the manual and EPA fuel rules: no coal, garbage, yard waste, materials containing rubber or plastic, waste petroleum products, paint or paint thinners, asphalt products, painted or pressure-treated wood, railroad ties, manure or animal remains, plywood, particle board, paper products, asbestos materials, construction or demolition debris, salt-water driftwood, or unseasoned wood. This does not prohibit normal fire starters made from paper, cardboard, sawdust, wax, or similar substances when used only to start a fire. Burning prohibited materials destroys the firebox, voids the warranty, and releases toxic compounds into your home and the chimney. Do not burn manufactured logs made of wax-impregnated sawdust or logs with chemical additives; 100% compressed-sawdust logs can be used but never more than two at a time.

The Enerzone limited lifetime warranty applies to the original retail purchaser only and is non-transferable. The warranty applies to normal residential use only. Proof of purchase (dated bill of sale), model name, and serial number are required for any warranty claim. Online registration is recommended at enerzone-intl.com but not required if a dated invoice is retained.

Coverage by component

A one-time replacement limit applies to all parts with lifetime coverage. Warranty is void if the unit is used to burn anything other than seasoned cordwood, or if it is not operated according to the owner's manual. Damage caused by misuse, improper installation, lack of maintenance, overfiring, downdrafts, venting problems, or under-estimated heating area is not covered. Improper installation by anyone other than an authorized qualified technician voids the warranty.

Warranty claims are made through your Enerzone dealer and remain subject to SBI/Enerzone inspection, approval, and the current written warranty. Kaminos is the retailer for this insert and supports buyers through purchase; final warranty approval rests with SBI as the manufacturer.

Enerzone may require photos or returned parts to support a claim; repair work covered by warranty requires prior manufacturer approval.

Coverage details can change by component and warranty revision; the current Enerzone warranty controls.