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Back to the RUMFORD FIREPLACES

cutawooda | Posted in General Discussion on January 3, 2003 01:36am

I live in N. Texas and I am having  heck of a time talking to masons about Rumford fireplaces…no one knows what  they are. Do you have to have the kit or can it be built on site with ordinary materials.  Is it worth the ordeal that I am going through. I would hate to have a bricklayer try to do it and then have the physics of “smoke draw” compromised.  I don’t absolutely have to have one,..but this is my personal house I am having built and I really would like one.

thanks

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  1. andybuildz | Jan 03, 2003 01:41am | #1

    Cut,

        I had a Rumford "oven" in the plans for my 1680 house addition but took it out because there just wasnt room for one.maybe somewhere in the future but....if you look at the website for Rumford Fireplaces (look in GOOGLE) you'll find dozens of sites with all kinds of information. Rumfords are the best way to heat your house if you are using a fireplace to partially accomplish that. I want a Rumford Dutch Oven..wahhhhhhh

    BE well

            Namaste'

                         Andy

    One works on oneself, always. That's the greatest gift you can give to community because the more you extricate your mind from that which defines separateness, that defines community. The first thing is to become community. "Ram Dass"

    http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

    1. cutawooda | Jan 03, 2003 02:05am | #2

      I think I have read every article made about the rumford. I need a bricklayer that has built one to tell me that ANY brick layer can do it. The guys around here no nothing of it.

  2. Boxduh | Jan 03, 2003 02:06am | #3

    Superior Clay sells the clay throats and smoke chambers, and the related website http://www.rumford.com has everything you need in the way of resources and information.  Bellfires is a company in NY that makes and ships Rumford inserts everywhere.  They make a close clearance unit, the largest of which yields an opening size of 42 wide x 38 high.  The firebox is not just sheet steel, it is a high tech refractory.  Costs almost $6K, weighs over 800 pounds, and its pear shaped design is an improvement on the Rumford shape.

    BTW, every mason I have spoken with about building Rumfords with the Superior Clay components say that it is simple, the plans make it foolproof, and that the components, though expensive, cut out a lot of labor.

    1. notagain | Jan 03, 2003 03:22am | #4

      Gene,

      re:     and its pear shaped design is an improvement on the Rumford shape.

      Says who?

      cutawooda,

      Not every mason can build a Rumford, especially ones who even you said don't know anything about them. Do you want them to experiment on your house? On a focal point of your house?

      Although I have never personally used the Superior clay kits, I've heard nothing but good about them. I have done enough Rumfords to be able to build them without those components. Yes, more labor time, but.........................................

      Fly me out! I'm in Connecticut, but I've gone as far as Illinois. Fly me out, put me up, cause hey!, it's getting cold here!

      Anyway, good luck to you.                               Rod

      Edited 1/2/2003 7:24:34 PM ET by Rod

      1. cutawooda | Jan 03, 2003 03:37am | #5

        ticket is in the mail,...Is first class too showy for you? I told them you would be bringing the bricks with you..is that ok?

        1. notagain | Jan 03, 2003 03:50am | #6

          First class would be just fine, but as for the bricks........................

          They'd probably be considered a weapon, so nogo there.

          Isn't there anybody in Texas who can build a Rumford?

          Try this link.          http://www.rumford.com/mason.html#tx

                                                                                                                   Rod

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