Superior DRI2027 27" Traditional Direct Vent Gas Fireplace Insert
The Superior DRI2027 turns an existing wood-burning fireplace into a gas fire: a 27" direct vent insert that sets into a masonry or factory-built firebox and vents up the chimney through two 3" liners.
A ceramic fiber log set glows behind ceramic glass, and the factory-installed blower moves the heat into the room.
The Superior DRI2027: Gas Heat for the Fireplace You Have
The DRI2027 is a 27" direct vent gas insert for an existing wood-burning fireplace, masonry or factory-built. It sets into the firebox, draws its combustion air from outside and vents through two 3" flexible liners up the chimney, and it has a ceramic fiber log set with glowing embers behind ceramic glass in a black painted firebox.
It comes as the DRI2027TEN for natural gas, 25,000 Btu/hr high and 14,000 low, rated 78% AFUE; a conversion kit sets it up for propane. A 140 CFM variable-speed blower is built in, and Superior puts its heating range at about 450 to 1,625 sq ft. The electronic IPI/CPI ignition runs on 120 V with a four AA battery backup, so the fire keeps going in a power outage; the blower waits for power.
One full front facade is required, and it takes the place of a separate facade and surround: the medium 26" x 37" or the large 30" x 41". A trimmable four-sided surround panel fits the medium 26" x 37" facade. The fireplace opening must be at least 27" wide at the front, 17" at the rear, 18" high and 15" deep. For a larger fireplace, see the Superior DRI2032.
Compare it with our other gas fireplace inserts, or see every fireplace insert we carry.
Features
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Fits your fireplace: fits masonry and factory-built wood-burning fireplaces with an opening at least 27" W x 18" H x 15" D.
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Heat input: natural gas 14,000 to 25,000 Btu/hr.
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Efficiency: 78% AFUE and 73% P4 on natural gas.
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Built-in blower: 140 CFM variable-speed blower, factory installed.
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Log set: ceramic fiber log set with glowing embers and a black painted interior.
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Glass and barrier: ceramic glass front; the barrier comes with the required full front facade.
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Battery backup: electronic IPI/CPI ignition with four AA battery backup (blower excluded).
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Controls: on the left side of the facade: on/off, high/low flame, IPI/CPI and blower speed.
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Remote option: optional hand-held remote or wireless wall switch.
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Venting: vents through two 3" flexible liners up the existing chimney.
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Manufactured homes: approved for bedrooms and manufactured homes.
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20 year limited warranty: covers the body, firebox and barrier, and the ceramic glass against thermal breakage.
What's Included
- Insert with the 140 CFM variable-speed blower installed
- Ceramic fiber log set
- One bag of glowing embers
- Black interior panels
- Ceramic glass front
- Three-prong power cord
- 5" gas nipple
- Leveling bolts and facade mounting hardware
- Warning label to fix inside the existing fireplace
What to Order With It
Required – Full front facade (choose one; includes the barrier):
Required – Venting (two 3" liners, ordered separately):
Optional – Surround:
Optional – Remote control:
Optional – Gas conversion:
Specifications
| Model |
DRI2027TEN (natural gas) |
| Superior item number |
F3407 |
| Type |
Direct vent gas fireplace insert, sealed combustion, for masonry or factory-built wood-burning fireplaces |
| Input, natural gas |
25,000 Btu/hr high, 14,000 Btu/hr low |
| Input, propane |
22,500 Btu/hr high, 13,300 Btu/hr low, after conversion with BI27-CK-NG |
| Efficiency |
Natural gas 78% AFUE, 73% P4; propane 75% AFUE, 73% P4 |
| Heating area |
About 450 to 1,625 sq ft |
| Blower |
140 CFM variable speed, factory installed |
| Insert size |
26-5/8" wide at the front, 16-3/4" at the back, 14-7/8" deep, 17-7/8" high to the top of the flue collar |
| Minimum fireplace opening |
27" front width, 17" rear width, 18" high, 15" deep |
| Ignition |
Electronic IPI/CPI with four AA battery backup |
| Controls |
On/off, high/low, IPI/CPI and blower speed on the left side of the facade; optional remote or wireless wall switch |
| Power |
120 VAC, 60 Hz, less than 2 A, three-prong cord |
| Gas connection |
3/8" NPT valve inlet; 5" nipple supplied |
| Gas inlet pressure |
Natural gas 5" to 10.5" WC; propane 11" to 13" WC |
| Venting |
Direct vent through two 3" flexible liners up the existing chimney (exhaust listed to UL 1777, intake UL 181 or UL 1777) to a listed direct vent cap |
| Vent height |
10 to 25 ft from the base of the insert to the end of the liner |
| Glass and barrier |
Ceramic glass; the barrier comes with the full front facade |
| Altitude |
0 to 2,000 ft as shipped; above that the input is reduced 4% per 1,000 ft |
| Listing |
ANSI Z21.88 / CSA 2.33, vented gas fireplace heater; UL 307B for manufactured homes |
| Approved locations |
Sitting rooms and bedrooms; aftermarket, permanently located manufactured or mobile homes (USA only) |
| Shipping weight |
85 lb |
| Warranty |
20 year limited (see Warranty below) |
AFUE and P4 figures are from Superior's installation manual. AFUE is the US annual fuel utilization efficiency rating and P4 the Canadian CSA P.4.1 fireplace rating; propane figures apply after conversion. Superior gives the heating area as an approximation that depends on the home's design and insulation, ceiling heights, climate and how the insert is run.
Dimensions and Framing
Insert dimensions
| Front width (F) |
26-5/8" |
| Height to the top of the 3" flue collar (G) |
17-7/8" |
| Depth (H) |
14-7/8" |
| Back width (I) |
16-3/4" |
Letters match the drawings above.
Minimum fireplace opening
| Front width |
27", held for the first 3" of depth |
| Rear width |
17" |
| Height |
18" |
| Depth |
15" |
Clearances and hearth
| Base of the insert to a combustible mantel (A) |
32" |
| Side of the insert to a combustible side wall (B) |
4" |
| Mantel depth (C) |
10" |
| Base of the insert above the floor (D) |
0" or 4" |
| Non-combustible hearth extension in front (E) |
10" with D at 0"; none with D at 4" |
Letters match the drawing above.
Installation Requirements
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Fireplace: install only in an existing masonry fireplace (built to UBC 37 or ULC S628) or a factory-built wood-burning fireplace (listed to UL 127 or ULC S610). If wood has been burned in it, have the fireplace and chimney cleaned first, and repair any cracked, leaking, corroded or warped chimney parts.
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Opening: at least 27" wide at the front (held for the first 3" of depth), 17" wide at the rear, 18" high and 15" deep.
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Factory-built fireplaces: remove the grate, and remove the damper or fix it open. Doors, screen, refractory, baffles and smoke shelf may come out but can't be cut or altered, and must be kept so the fireplace can be put back. Don't block the fireplace's louvers or cooling air openings. If there is no gas access hole, one of up to 1-1/2" may be drilled in the lower sides or bottom of the firebox and sealed with non-combustible insulation after the gas line is in.
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Warning label: fix the supplied label inside the existing firebox with the two screws provided, where it shows when the insert is removed.
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Venting: run two 3" flexible liners from the insert to a listed direct vent cap at the top of the chimney. The exhaust liner must be listed to UL 1777; the intake liner can be UL 181 or UL 1777. The vent height must be 10 to 25 ft, measured from the base of the insert to the end of the liner. Keep the liners vertical and avoid bends, make sure both pass the damper area, and seal the chimney around the cap. The flue restrictor setting depends on vent height and fuel; the manual has the table.
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Mantel: a combustible mantel up to 10" deep must be at least 32" above the base of the insert.
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Side walls: keep combustible side walls at least 4" from the side of the insert.
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Hearth: if the base of the insert is level with the room floor, a non-combustible hearth extension at least 10" deep is required in front; with the base 4" above the floor, none is needed. Hearth protection must be non-combustible, at least 1/2" thick (k factor 0.84).
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Facade: the full front facade and surround must not seal the ventilation openings of the existing fireplace.
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Gas: the valve has a 3/8" NPT inlet, and a 5" nipple comes with the insert. Inlet pressure must be 5" to 10.5" WC on natural gas or 11" to 13" WC on propane.
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Power: plug the three-prong cord into a grounded 120 V outlet. Power runs the blower and is recommended for the burner; four AA batteries run the burner, without the blower, in a power outage.
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Altitude: the insert is set up for 0 to 2,000 ft. Above that, the input is reduced 4% per 1,000 ft, and orifice changes must be done by a qualified service technician.
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Massachusetts: installation and repair must be done by a licensed plumber or gas fitter. The flexible gas connector can't be longer than 36", and the shutoff must be a T-handle valve.
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Manufactured homes: allowed in aftermarket, permanently located manufactured or mobile homes (USA only) where local codes allow. It must run on the gas shown on its rating plate unless a certified conversion kit is used.
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Installation: must be installed by a qualified installer following the installation manual and local codes. Superior calls for an inspection by a qualified service person before first use and once a year.
Bring the Superior DRI2027 Home with Dreamwood Living
The DRI2027 suits a home with a wood-burning fireplace that rarely gets used. Reach out to our team for help measuring your opening and choosing a facade.
FAQs
Will the DRI2027 fit my fireplace?
It needs an opening at least 27" wide at the front for the first 3" of depth, 17" wide at the rear, 18" high and 15" deep, in a masonry or factory-built wood-burning fireplace. Both 3" liners also have to pass through the damper area; if they can't, the insert can't go in.
Can I burn wood in the fireplace again later?
Not with the insert in place. Once converted, the fireplace is for the gas insert only. To burn wood again, the insert has to come out, every part that was removed has to go back in, and the fireplace has to be approved again by your local building authority.
How is it vented?
Through two 3" flexible liners up the existing chimney, one for exhaust and one for combustion air, ending at a listed direct vent cap. The exhaust liner must be listed to UL 1777. The vent height must be 10 to 25 ft. DuraVent's 46DVA-CL33 kit includes both liners, the adapter, flashing and cap.
Will it work during a power outage?
Yes. Four AA batteries run the ignition and burner when the power is out. The blower won't run until power returns.
Do I need a remote?
No. The on/off, high/low flame, IPI/CPI and blower speed controls are on the left side of the full front facade. For on/off and high/low from your chair, add the EF-BRCK hand-held remote or the EF-WWRCK wireless wall switch.
Can I change it from natural gas to propane, or the other way?
Yes. BI27-CK-NG converts it to propane (13,300 to 22,500 Btu/hr after conversion), and BI27-CK-LP converts it back. Otherwise it may only run on the gas shown on its rating plate.
Can it go in a bedroom?
Yes. The DRI2027 is approved for sitting rooms and bedrooms, and for aftermarket, permanently located manufactured or mobile homes in the USA, where local codes allow.
Documents & Downloads
Warranty
Superior's 20 Year Limited Warranty covers the DRI2027 against defects in materials and workmanship:
- Fireplace body, firebox and barrier: 20 years
- Ceramic glass: 20 years, against thermal breakage only
- Burner, gas components and gaskets: 1 year
- Optional blowers and remote controls: 1 year
- Parts not listed: 90 days
- Labor: paid at IHP rates for the covered part's warranty period, up to five years
Vent components, trim and paint are not covered. The warranty is for the original owner of a fireplace installed in the US. Full terms are in the warranty certificate.
