Osburn Inspire 2000-I Wood Insert

United States figures, in inches. The rating plate on the appliance overrides any published number; the installer confirms on site.

From the specification sheet

Options

The unit price is Osburn's 2026 list price for the wood insert alone. Options sold on this page add to it; those marked on request we add to your order by hand.

Faceplate and trim

Fresh air

Other options

Chimney requirements from the specification sheet

The Inspire 2000-I 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, CAN/ULC-S640 (Canada) or UL 1777 (USA) and be rated for solid fuel. The minimum liner height is 12 feet, subject to installer verification, certification label, draft conditions, and local code. 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.

The Inspire 2000-I performs best with a 6-inch stainless-steel chimney liner. In the USA, use a 6-inch liner listed to UL 1777. In Canada only, connection to a chimney liner of at least 5 inches may be permitted if it properly vents combustion gases, the total masonry chimney height is greater than 20 feet, 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 sealed at the damper level (or, in Canada per CSA B365, mineral wool packing around the liner) is recommended at the throat to reduce cold-air backdraft and to allow the insert to deliver rated performance — without it, jacket-recovered heat is lost into the smoke chamber. 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 5-inch fresh-air intake kit is available for code jurisdictions requiring outside combustion air or for tight new-construction homes with mechanical ventilation. In conventional homes the manual identifies room air as the safest and most reliable supply for combustion; almost all houses have enough natural leakage to provide what the insert needs. A smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector are required in the room where the insert is installed.

Codes and approvals

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 — particularly in EPA non-attainment counties and in HOA jurisdictions where new wood-burning installs may be restricted.

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.

• Osburn Inspire 2000-I wood insert (OB02045) with welded carbon-steel firebox and single glass door in steel frame
• Configured at order with required faceplate selection — see "Where it can go" for the three options
• 176 CFM heat-activated double-cage blower assembly with thermodisc auto-on
• C-Cast baffle and stainless-steel secondary-air tube assembly
• Moulded refractory bricks lining
• Removable air-control handle
• Liner fixation brackets and hardware
• 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, extending at least 16 inches in front of the unit in the USA, 18 inches in Canada
• Sheet-metal block-off plate, high-temp silicone, and mineral wool insulation — effectively required in practice for the insert to deliver rated performance
• Optional NightFlame semi-transparent black ceramic glass (SBI AC02775) — conceals the firebox interior when the fire is out; becomes clear when burning
• 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 × 4' insulated flex pipe for fresh-air intake (SBI AC02090) — HVAC type, ULC S110 or UL 181 class 0 or class 1
• Optional 5-inch fresh-air intake register with airtight damper (SBI AC01349) — do not close while in use
• Optional liner hook-up system (SBI AC02006) — simplifies liner-to-flue-collar connection
• Optional offset liner adapter (SBI AC01214) — for installations where the chimney throat geometry requires offset connection
• Optional tempered glass hearth pad 10mm 18" × 50" (SBI AC02760)
• 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

• Check with your building department and insurer: wood appliances need a permit in most places and an inspection after installation.
• The chimney is the other half of the system. It is sold separately and quoted from your installer's plan.
• Clearances and floor protection come from the manual and depend on the pipe and shields you choose. Send us your plan and we will check it.
• Burn seasoned wood below 20 percent moisture. Wet wood is the cause of most complaints about any wood stove.
• Special-order goods ship by freight.

The 75,000 BTU/hr maximum is a peak rating, transient, achieved on dry cordwood at high loading density and short reload intervals. It is real, but it is a peak rating, not the average output across a full burn cycle of normal operation. 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 wide range covering shoulder-season heating on the low end and strong sustained output for cold-snap heating on the high end.

A realistic burn cycle from a packed load of well-seasoned hardwood produces a 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. Multiple owner reports describe the insert easily heating 1,500–2,400 sq ft homes when the masonry chimney is up to temperature.

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 176 CFM heat-activated double-cage 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 into the room. The 176 CFM rating is the strongest in the Osburn insert line — shared with the Matrix 2700. 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.

The Inspire's blower is the most consistent complaint across owner reports — multiple buyers describe it as loud at higher settings, with several specifically noting they don't run it at full speed because of the noise. The Inspire 2000-I does not include a rheostat for variable speed control (unlike the smaller 1700-I and Matrix 1900) — it is a single-speed blower with AUTO/MANUAL/OFF control only. If sound sensitivity is a concern, this is the most-cited owner caution on this model.

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 inserts, not specific to Osburn. The wide-format glass — 20 1/4" × 9 1/2" — is the visual centerpiece of the Inspire, which makes glass cleanliness more visually important than on smaller inserts.

The optional NightFlame glass deserves a specific note: in the off state, the semi-transparent black ceramic conceals the firebox interior so the insert reads as a clean dark panel against the masonry. When a fire is burning, the glass becomes clear and flames show normally. A meaningful aesthetic upgrade for buyers who want the insert to disappear visually when not in use.

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.

Trade-offs to know

Blower noise is the dominant owner complaint. Across owner reviews, the most consistent observation is that the 176 CFM blower is loud at higher settings. Several owners explicitly state they avoid running it at full speed because of the noise. Unlike the smaller Osburn inserts with rheostat speed control, the Inspire's blower has only AUTO/MANUAL/OFF — no variable speed. If sound sensitivity is a concern, this is the trade-off to know going in. The blower delivers strong heat distribution, but the volume of air it moves is the trade-off for the audibility.

Large appliance, large masonry opening required. The Inspire's minimum opening of 24 5/8" H × 29" W × 20 3/4" D is substantial — particularly the 20 3/4" depth requirement, which is deeper than most older or smaller fireplaces. Measure carefully before ordering — this is the most common reason an Inspire purchase falls apart at the installation stage.

Modern aesthetic, no decorative elements. The Inspire is intentionally minimal — no cast-iron faceplate, no patterned louvers, no framing columns. If you want traditional cast-iron detailing, this isn't it. The trade-off is that the fire is the visual focus, which is exactly what some buyers want.

Faceplate is a one-time decision, configured at order. Three options at the order stage: 32" × 50" cuttable, 30" × 25 1/8" U-shape, or 30" × 26 7/8" 4-sided. Once selected, not field-swappable. Choose carefully based on the masonry opening you're installing into — the cuttable option provides the broadest coverage; the narrow options for tighter openings.

Efficiency is not the problem here. At 72% HHV, the Inspire is slightly higher on published HHV efficiency than the Osburn 1700-I and 3500-I. The real trade-offs are the modern aesthetic, substantial masonry-opening requirement, 2.3 g/hr emissions, and blower noise — not efficiency.

Emissions at the upper end of EPA compliance. The 2.3 g/hr particulate emissions rate is well within the EPA 2020 cordwood limit (2.5 g/hr) but higher than the 1.2 g/hr Matrix 2700 or the 1.5 g/hr Matrix 1900. In EPA non-attainment counties or jurisdictions with stricter local emission rules, this is worth comparing against the Matrix line.

8-hour maximum burn is large-class, not long-burn class. A 2.4 ft³ non-cat insert gives you meaningful primary-heat capability across 1,400–1,900 sq ft, with realistic 6–7 hour burn cycles. If you want true 10+ hour overnight burns, consider a catalytic insert with a real low-output mode.

The 2,100 sq ft figure is aspirational. The most consistent owner regret across large inserts is buying for the high end of the manufacturer's heating range. Several Inspire owners report heating 1,500–2,400 sq ft homes successfully, but those are not universal results — depends heavily on insulation, climate, and house layout.

Living with it

First burns. The first three to six fires release paint VOCs as the high-temperature stove paint cures. The smell can be strong; ventilate the room well and avoid prolonged exposure during cure-in. Run the insert hot and expect the smell to disappear permanently after the cure-in.

Lighting. Per the manual, the recommended method is the EPA loading procedure for cleanest combustion: place two small pieces in the bottom in a reverse-V shape, two medium-size pieces in an east-west orientation in the back over the reverse V, and a big piece in the front over the reverse V. Leave air space between pieces. Light, leave the door slightly ajar for about 5 minutes during light-off; close once the fire is well established. The manual also describes alternative methods (conventional bottom-up, top-down, two-parallel-logs).

Air control. Single-lever, located below the ash shelf. Push the handle to one position for HIGH (full air) and the opposite position for LOW (minimal air). Full open at light-off; gradually closed only after the load is fully engaged and stable secondary flames are established. Closing too fast and the fire smolders. A flue thermometer is strongly recommended; without one, you are guessing at draft, burn rate, and overfire risk.

Blower switch positions. The 176 CFM blower assembly has a three-position switch: (1) AUTO — blower starts when the insert is hot enough and stops when it cools down (thermodisc-controlled); (2) OFF — blower stopped, prevented from starting automatically; (3) MANUAL — runs continuously regardless of insert temperature. Use AUTO for normal operation; use MANUAL only when you want continuous airflow regardless of temperature. Allow the insert to reach operating temperature (approximately one hour from cold start) before turning the blower to MANUAL.

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. Place the new load on and at the back of the embers. 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. Turn the blower OFF before opening the door fully to reduce ash disturbance.

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.

Carbon monoxide watch. Per the manual, if the firebox no longer shows flame but still contains unburned logs, check outside for smoke from the chimney. Smoke without flame means the fire is air-starved and CO levels are rising. Open the door slightly, move the logs with a poker, create a passage for air by making a trench in the ember bed, and add small kindling-size pieces to restart combustion.

Ash management. The Inspire uses a hollow-bottom firebox; ash is scooped manually from the front. Empty ash every 2–3 days during full-time heating. The best time to remove ash is in the morning 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 and releases carbon monoxide. Never store ashes indoors, in a non-metallic container, or on a wooden deck.

Warranty

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 Osburn dealer and remain subject to SBI/Osburn 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. SBI's parts network is well-stocked — replacement bricks, baffle, secondary tubes, glass, gaskets, and blower are openly available at fair prices through multiple parts vendors.

Osburn 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 Osburn warranty controls.

• Osburn document list for the Osburn Inspire 2000-I (OB02045): installation and owner's manual, safety notices
• Osburn wood products brochure, USA edition, with dimension drawings (PDF)
• Osburn limited lifetime warranty
• EPA test reports
• Replacement parts