The Wildfire WB44 from Montigo
Real wood, real smoke, real crackle — no gas line, no electricity, nothing to fail in a storm. The Wildfire WB44 (SKU WB44FB0F) is a 44-inch open wood-burning firebox with a 44" x 30" firebox opening — 8 inches more flame width than the WB36 for $160 more. Rough framing is 57-5/8" wide with a 62-1/8" header and a 29" framing depth. Price is $3,169 for the firebox, covered by Montigo's residential fireplace warranty; the required brick liner panels and listed WB12V chimney system (20 to 90 ft) are all sold separately.
Choose the WB44 if a real wood fire is the point and the room is big enough that 36 inches of opening would look undersized. It is manually lit, needs no electricity, burns solid wood as shipped, and is also approved for a certified vented gas log set or vent-free gas log heater later — 1/2" iron-pipe gas knockouts are built into both sides.
It is not right for manufactured housing — this fireplace is not approved for it. It is listed to UL 127 for the United States only, so it is not the unit for a Canadian project. And it is not a shortcut purchase: the concrete brick liners are required for operation, and the listed WB12V chimney sections and termination cap are required — each is a separate line item, and the chimney must run at least 20 ft.
Specifications
Frame a 57-5/8" rough width with the header at 62-1/8"; framing depth is 29" (add drywall thickness if the chase interior is drywalled), and the finished cavity must be at least 31" deep. Keep 1-1/2" of air space at the back and sides, 2" around every chimney section, 24" from the opening to a sidewall, and a 12" non-combustible zone above the unit inside the chase. A combustible mantel must sit at least 18" above the opening and project no more than 10". The firebox opening is 44" W x 30" H with a damper; the fire is lit by hand — solid wood fuel only as shipped, no gas or electrical connection needed. Only non-combustible material may cover the metal fireplace front.
WB44 vs WB36 vs WB54
The WB44 ($3,169) is the middle Wildfire. The WB36 ($3,009) saves $160 and 8 inches of chase width if the room is modest. The WB54 ($3,389) steps up to a 54" x 34" opening with a 74-1/8" header — and note it moves to the larger 14" WB14V chimney system, while the WB36 and WB44 share the 12" WB12V.
Answers to common questions
What comes with it, and what else do I have to buy?
Included: the firebox, pull-style firescreen, log grate, attic insulation shield, protective metal hearth strips, and the framing hardware pack. Required and sold separately: the concrete brick liner panels (the fireplace cannot be operated without them), the WB12V chimney sections, firestops, and a listed termination cap, plus non-combustible finish material for the face. Optional: the WBOAK outside air kit, glass doors, and a certified gas log set.
What chimney does it require?
The listed air-cooled WB12V system (12" components), sold separately — this fireplace is not compatible with generic pipe. Minimum overall chimney height is 20 ft (22 ft with a double offset), maximum 90 ft, offsets limited to 30 degrees with no more than two offset/return pairs, and 2" of air space around every chimney section. The listed termination cap must sit at least 3 ft above the roof and 2 ft above any part of the roof within 10 ft.
Do I need a hearth in front of it?
Yes. Floor protection must be R-2.06 minimum insulation (for example, 1" Micore 300), covered in tile, stone, or another non-combustible material, extending 20" in front of the fireplace and 12" past each side of the opening. The two included protective metal hearth strips must also be installed.
Can I add gas logs later?
Yes. Approved: a vented gas log set certified to ANSI Z21.60/CSA 2.26 or ANSI Z21.84, or a vent-free gas log heater certified to ANSI Z21.11.2 with automatic shut-off — vent-free units require the glass door fully open and the damper locked fully open. Knockouts for 1/2" iron gas pipe are built into both sides.
What mantel clearance does it need?
A combustible mantel must sit at least 18" above the opening and project no more than 10"; combustible trim projecting 1-1/2" or less may come down to 8" above the opening. This is an open wood fire, so plan that wall with your installer and talk to our team first.
Where can it be installed?
In US homes, including sleeping rooms. The WB44 is not approved for manufactured housing, and its UL 127 listing covers the United States only.
What’s included, what’s required, and what’s optional?
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Included in the box: the firebox, the pull-style firescreen, the log grate, the attic insulation shield, the protective metal hearth strips, and the framing hardware pack.
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Required to complete the installation, purchased separately: the concrete brick liner panels (the fireplace cannot be operated without them), and the listed WB12V chimney sections, firestops and termination cap.
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Optional: the WBOAK outside air kit, glass doors, and a certified gas log set.
Is the warranty the same if I buy online?
Yes. The Torch Guys is 1 of only 3 authorized Montigo e-commerce dealers in the United States, so buying online here gets you the full Montigo residential fireplace warranty. If you ever need a claim, we file it on your behalf with the manufacturer — call (410) 324-6322 and we handle the paperwork.
