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The fall months are here and its time to start burning. Before you light your first fire your might want to inspect your chimney. When you get the ladder out to clean the leaves out of the gutters take a good look at your chimney.
First open the damper inside your fireplace. If you notice debris falling down such as leaves, bird feathers or crumbled cement this is a warning sign. Inspect the damper making sure it is operating properly. Inspect the grate making sure it has not burned through in any spots. Take a look at the ash dump and make sure it is operating. Next look up inside the flue to make sure it is clear of obstructions you should be able to see light.
When you are on the roof take a look at the mortar joints between the bricks and take a look at the flashing around the chimney then repair if needed. Next remove the chimney cap and inspect the flue tiles especially if you noticed crumbling cement when you opened the damper.
It is always a good idea to sweep the chimney in the fall before you start to burn. Dirt and grime can leave a film inside your chimney during the summer months and it is wise to remove it before you burn your first fire. When smoke goes up your chimney it doesn't go straight up but it curls as it rolls up the chimney. Sometimes the slightest amount of resistance can cause the smoke to roll back into the firebox. By removing any dirt from the flue tiles you will increase your draft and efficiency.
After you have inspected your chimney and swept it before you put the chimney cap back on make sure it is in good condition. There are many stiles of chimney caps and the most common use four thumb screws that tighten down on the flue tile. It is a good idea to use a little grease on the screw threads so the next time you remove it to inspect your chimney it will be easier to remove. When you put the cap back on the chimney make sure you do not over tighten the screws as you can crack the flue tiles.
Properly maintaining your fireplace will keep it safe. Why chance a house filled with smoke or possibly a chimney fire. Keeping your fireplace safe will allow you to enjoy a quiet evening in front of the fire.
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A fireplace no matter how beautiful will always be incomplete without fireplace tools. And choosing the right set will create an excellent look for your fireplace. A lot of people claim that fireplace tools are a statement of your personal taste. Deciding on a new fireplace tool set is essential to the overall appearance of your fireplace. But if you find the task of choosing the right set confusing, here are some tips to guide you.
A fireplace tool set is usually comprised of a poker, tongs, shovel, broom and stand. These vary in sizes so it's essential to determine their frequency of use. If you constantly put your wood-burning fireplace to use, select a fireplace tool set with a bigger shovel and a broom with sturdier bristles for better function. If you have a gas fireplace, a smaller fireplace tool set will be more appropriate since you'll only be using this for decoration.
On the decorative aspect you have to take the set's materials and style into account. The most commonly used materials for fireplace tool sets are iron and brass. Iron is the choice of finish for fireplace tool sets of today, while solid brass is for those who still go for the more traditional and more formal looks for their fireplaces.
When it comes to casual decorating, iron toolsets are more popular. In fact, a lot of homeowners today prefer fireplace tool sets that are more streamlined and more contemporary in style. Many wrought iron sets now come decorated with leaves, scrollwork or with stamped accents and intricately curved handles, among other details.
If you're after a fireplace with a more modern look, you can go for a black or brushed nickel or silver fireplace tool set. Choosing a fireplace tool set made from iron is sure to blend in well, most especially if your living room or family room is resplendent with the latest technological gadgets. There's also more ornamental iron work in households today so homeowners won't have trouble coordinating them with iron fireplace tool sets.
Solid brass fireplace tool sets are great for embellishing fireplaces with archaic themes. They also signify superior value and can endure a lifetime. Brass sets can go well with different decorating techniques because of its diversity, which can range from a simple ball to ornately turned ends.
Though some handmade wrought iron fireplace tool sets can also be expensive, the priciest sets are likely those tool sets made from solid brass due to their vivid color and dazzling polish. If you're after the time-honored appeal of brass that can complement with your modern equipments, you can opt for an antique fireplace tool set. Its finish won't clash with that of your fixtures' and other decorating facets. Another alternative to brass fireplace tool set is copper, which provides a hint of nativeness.
When selecting the best fireplace tool sets for your hearth, pick out those with stunning finishes that match your decor and budget. Make sure that you choose for style and purpose, too. Get the most fitting tool set and your fireplace will be guaranteed to stand out.
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If you've just begun your research on outdoor fireplaces you may not yet know what a chiminea is. A chiminea is a free-standing outdoor fireplace, but unlike a raised fire pit it is generally enclosed. Although you can find some that have a 360 degree view of the fire most of them are enclosed with a door on one side where you load the wood and start the fire. Since they are free-standing you can move them if you need, whether you move to a new home or just redecorate your outdoor area.
Chiminea Basics
Traditional chimineas have a long slender neck and a bulbous body. The neck is designed to provide greater airflow so you have a more efficient and cleaner burning fire, it also helps to direct the smoke into the air instead of into the faces of those sitting around it. The body holds the fire and for the traditional models with an enclosed body it contains the fire so you don't have popping wood or sparks jumping out. You also don't have the problem of a gust of wind blowing embers into the grass, bushes or any other potentially dangerous area. The enclosed design also makes it easier to start the fire.
Types Of Chimineas
There are two basic types of chimineas, metal and clay. Clay chimineas were the first ones that were developed. They provide a great Southwestern feel and many of them have decorative designs or colors to add a little more character. They provide a good amount of heat and they are an attractive style but unfortunately they don't last as long. Clay is prone to chip or crack so they aren't the most durable choice.
Metal chimineas are usually made out of cast iron or cast aluminum. These are much more durable than the clay version especially when you buy a good quality one. If you buy a quality one and follow maintenance guidelines you should have it for a very long time. Metal chimineas may require repainting in places every few years so they don't rust, but if you do this it should really last you. These types also have decorative designs and they come in different tones so it's easy to find one that fits the feel of your outdoor area.
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Since the beginning of time, families and friends have gathered around fires for companionship, dining, and entertaining. As the patio and garden evolve into outdoor entertainment rooms, many people are looking for ways to add outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, or fire bowls to their outdoor spaces. But not all outdoor fireplaces and fire pits will serve you equally well. Below are some tips for selecting an outdoor fireplace, fire bowl, or fire pit that will best serve your needs:
· Consider your needs. Before buying, consider what you want from your outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Are you looking primarily for heat to take the chill off the evenings so you can enjoy your outdoor space for more of the year? Are you mainly looking for a fire everyone can gather around for socializing? Do you also want the ability to cook over the flames of your fire?
· All fires have some smoke. If avoiding smoke is important to your enjoyment of your outdoor fireplace or fire pit, consider one with a chimney that directs the smoke up and away from you or one with tempered glass sides.
· Iron eventually will rust. Even the finest, exterior grade wrought iron will eventually rust. Touch up any scratches with a rust-preventative, high temperature rated paint to extend the life of any outdoor fireplace or fire pit with wrought iron components. Neither stainless steel nor copper will rust.
· Height matters. A fire pit in or on the ground gives a real campfire feel. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits that elevate the fire bowl place the fire closer to eye-level viewing yet usually low enough to see over from a seated position. Do you want to be able to visit easily with people sitting on the other side of the fire? If so, you will probably prefer an outdoor fireplace or fire pit that you can see over when seated.
· Does portability matter to you? If you think you might want to take your fire pit to the lake or beach, to the mountains or park, to the tail gate party or the family reunion, to the back of the garden or to the patio, then an outdoor fire pit or fireplace that you can move may be more appropriate for you. Some have wheels, others are lightweight enough to move easily, and some even fold for portability and come with carrying cases.
With a bit of forethought to your needs and planned use, you can select the perfect outdoor fire pit, fireplace, or fire bowl for your needs.
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When you walk onto your patio, is there anything missing? Do you wish something was there but you just don't know what? All you need are some good ideas and you can have a late Spring project that will make your summer hopping this year.
I think that an outside fireplace is the perfect idea and it doesn't take much to put together. But before you get started and run out to buy all the materials you need, I think you should strongly consider creating a fireplace that doubles as a grill. Now, that's an idea that can really add some class to your backyard or patio.
Over the summer, you'll have twice as many barbecues because every weekend will be the perfect time for you to throw some steaks on the grill and invite some friends over to your house. You'll never get tired of it. But then when fall rolls around, you'll be able to enjoy some warm evenings in your backyard because you'll have a fireplace that will light up any evening when you want to relax outside with a cup of coffee and some friends.
So, let's get started.
The materials you will need vary in your style and budget. But, what I suggest will be easy on both. You can learn how to build a brick structure if you want. It's not hard to stack bricks and make sure you cement them correctly. Then, wipe away excess cement so that it's not a sloppy build.
But, I think that you can build your structure with 2X4s and plywood. Of course, most people will shy from this solution because of the fire risk. But if you do it right, you can bring the risk to a minimum like they did in the old days when they built wood structured fireplaces in the home.
The base will be a 4 foot wide by 4 foot long structure that rises about 2 feet from the ground. It should be made completely with brick. Then, you can build upon that the rest of the Fireplace / Grill structure. After the2X4 and plywood structure has been built, we protect it with rock or brick veneer. This is a small layer of the brick or rock that makes up your design. But, you don't have to learn how to master the art of creating brick and rock structures.
To address the safety issue, the fire should never be left unattended. This wouldn't happen if you are cooking steaks on the grill anyway. But if you are enjoying the fireplace and you want another drink from inside your home, there should be company outside to keep an eye on the fire. Furthermore if you are enjoying your fireplace alone, check the fireplace before going inside to make sure you don't see anything unsafe. Then, make your visit inside as short as possible. If you are going in for the evening, make sure your fire is out completely and you should never encounter any problems. Fires in traditional fireplaces are risky and yet, we live with the risk every day. So, just be safe and you should be able to enjoy your fireplace for a long time to come.
Make your overall height of the project about 6 feet and the width about 4 feet. The back part of the structure should be about 1 foot in depth. Then, you will build 2 foot high walls on both sides of the fireplace so that your structure has a place to hold the grill and surround the fire that you will build inside the structure. The face will be open for easy access so that you can effortlessly change your grill into a fireplace and vice versa.
You'll want to build a shelving solution for a griddle. This will hold your charcoal about 6 inches to 1 foot below the grill. You'll also need to get the grill accessory that holds your steaks or hamburgers above the charcoal flame. These can be found, sometimes somewhat remotely. But, I have a friend who tore about an old grill and simply used those accessories. It seems everywhere I look I find old grills that can serve this purpose for your project.
To keep the project completely safe, you should use a fireplace insert and gel fuel from Ventless Gel Fireplace. This is an environmentally friendly gel fuel that burns into water vapor and can be put out by simply placing the lid on the can. Granny Gel Fuel will produce a very large flame and will burn for hours while you enjoy your evening. You won't have to find firewood and you won't have an unpredictable flame that can possibly pose a fire risk.
You can get plenty of other unique fireplace ideas by visiting Ventless Gel Fireplace and downloading our reports. You can take these reports and use your own imagination to create just about anything you want. It's up to you how far you can go.
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So you're looking for a project that will add beauty and value to your home? How about building an outdoor fireplace? Outdoor fireplaces are a great home feature that give you a fun place to gather with friends and family. Anyone can just dig a hole in the ground and throw some logs into it but instead of that, why not learn how to build outdoor fireplace which is much more luxurious?
First things first. Just like they say in the realty market location location location! You want your outdoor fireplace away from anything overhead that might catch on fire - sheds, barns trees, anything like that. In addition you'll want to consult your building and fire codes to be sure you're doing it right and within the law.
This can be a bit of an involved project so proper site planning is key
At a minimum you'll need the following tools:
Trowels
Shovel
Masonry hammer
Masonry saw
Dust mask
Wheel barrow
Rubber mallet
Level
Wooden plank
Plumb line
The supplies are pretty easy:
Fireproof bricks
Mortar
Gravel
Metal grate
Map out a footprint of where you want your new outdoor fireplace
After you've found the perfect spot you want to dig a shallow hole slightly larger than the sides of the fireplace
Once the hole is dug pour a small layer of gravel on the bottom and level it
It's now time to start building.
You want to lay your base layer of bricks along one wall first. Place bricks side by side the entire length of the first wall you want to build. Apply a thin layer of mortar between each brick using the trowel so they stick together. Make sure to use your level to ensure the wall is straight the entire run too.
After that it just gets easier and easier. Use your masonry saw and cut a brick in half.
Put a layer of mortar on the top of the first row of bricks and place the brick you cut in half flush on top of the bottom layer. This lets you stagger the joints all the way up and improves the strength of the outdoor fireplace.
Place a full brick next to the half brick with mortar in between them and now you've got your second row started. Just trowel in the mortar as needed. As you place each new brick on the wall use the rubber mallet to gently tap it down. Make sure to use your level and plumb bob to keep the wall perfectly straight.
All you have to do now is build the wall as high as you want and then repeat on the other sides. Joining the corners together with mortar. Once you have built the outdoor fireplace high enough for your grill you want to stop and create a space to insert the grill.
An easy way to do this is to leave a series of three small spaces on each side where you can push pieces of iron all the way across from one side of the fireplace to the other. On top of these three pieces of iron you can set a grill so you can cook in your fireplace.
From here, continue building up and up with the bricks until you make the fireplace as high as you would like it to be.
Learning how to build outdoor fireplace is a fun project that will pay off with many a relaxing evening basking in the warmth and glow of a cozy outdoor fire.
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