Century CW2900 vs Drolet Escape 1800-I Insert: The Best Alternative (2026)
Heads up: Century Heating's CW2900 wood insert (model CB00022) is on its way out of the lineup. The closest current equivalent is the Drolet Escape 1800-I, built by the same parent company (SBI) on the same 2.4 ft³ insert platform.
Same firebox, same output — cleaner burn and a lifetime warranty
The Century CW2900 and the Drolet Escape 1800-I are corporate siblings from Stove Builder International (SBI): both large 2.4 ft³ non-catalytic inserts rated at 75,000 BTU/h for 500–2,100 sq ft, with 8-hour burns and an included blower. The Escape 1800-I is the version that stays in production:
| Spec | Century CW2900 | Drolet Escape 1800-I |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Being discontinued | Current model |
| Firebox volume | 2.4 ft³ | 2.4 ft³ |
| Max heat output | 75,000 BTU/h | 75,000 BTU/h |
| Heating area | 500–2,100 ft² | 500–2,100 ft² |
| Efficiency (HHV) | 72% | 77% |
| Emissions | 2.3 g/h | 1.54 g/h |
| Max burn time | 8 h | 8 h |
| Blower | Included (144 CFM) | Included (variable speed) |
| Liner size | 6" | 6" |
| Warranty | Limited 5 years | Limited Lifetime |
| Price today | Limited remaining stock | $1,799 — free shipping, no sales tax |
Our recommendation
Buy the Drolet Escape 1800-I. Identical firebox class and output, meaningfully cleaner combustion, higher efficiency, and SBI's Limited Lifetime warranty instead of 5 years — on an insert that stays in the current catalog with full faceplate and parts support.
Shop the Drolet Escape 1800-I →
Completing the install
Like the CW2900, the Escape 1800-I vents through a 6" stainless liner (sold separately). We stock faceplates and liner kits including full-length 6" flex liner kits sized for insert installs.
Specifications sourced from SBI's published data for each model. Century Heating and Drolet are trademarks of Stove Builder International Inc. StoveSource is an authorized dealer of Drolet products.