Replies

1. 
   sweetwater | Apr 26, 2002 08:01am | #1

   Try the Rumford fireplace site (www.rumford.com)

   for more info. We are placing one in a remote cabin and it should be able to heat the place. But the components are not cheap.

   Best -

   Don

2. 
   MikeS | Apr 26, 2002 08:15am | #2

   Timh

   You might want o take a look at the Heat-N-glo Em-42 ,  http://www.heatnglo.com/products/subcat.asp?catcode=W It uses outside air for combustion and has air tight glass doors with gaskets as a pricy option, they limit interior air from going up the flue.The firebox is a bit on the small side though.

   You also might want to look at triple walled pipe, it helps keep the pipe cool but keeps cold air from being dumped around the firebox as when doubled walled pipe is used.

   I'd try both retailers and distributors for pricing. 

   Mike

   It's O.k. to think out of the box,           Just don't walk off of the plank!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/26/2002 1:22:33 AM ET by Mike S

3. 
   DavidThomas | Apr 26, 2002 09:03am | #3

   There was an article on Rumsford fireplaces in FHB about 2 or 3 years ago. Went into the history, theory and dimensions of the design.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
4. 
   bishopbldr | Apr 27, 2002 02:46am | #4

   Tim,

   The rumford fireboxes are the best designed firebox you will get with a masonry unit. We have had some built, both pre-fab components and built from scratch. They have a very small throat area and a tall sloped and angled firebox that reflects more heat into the room. As said above, they aren't cheap tho. There are some airtite units I have seen that are really more like a woodstove insert than a fireplace, but they are designed to look like a classic fireplace with glass doors. They would be the most efficient units I'm aware of. Start surfing the web. Good luck.

   Bish

1. 
   bobtim | Apr 27, 2002 06:04am | #5

   Boy do the Rumford fireplaces seem like the ticket with just one major problem.  Weight.....

   I live in  zone 3 (some maps say zone 4) earthquake area.  the fireplace needs to be in the top level, 3rd floor.  tough to support both physically and seismicly.  And to this the cost of importing all the heavy masonry materials via barge from Seattle and that just about wipes out the idea of anything masonry.

   What I was hoping for was (I guess) a brand or 2 of metal fireplce boxes that was considerably better than just run of the mill.   I had looked at the Heat-n-Glo web site and do consider their products to be better than average. 

    I guess my expectations are higher than what is availble at present.  Plenty of very efficent woodstoves out there ,why not a metal fireplace

   Tim

   Sitka AK

1. 
   DavidThomas | Apr 27, 2002 07:40am | #6

   Tim: Good to see you post. Makes it hard for me to grumble about the poor selection in my town, as I can drive to Anchorage in 2.3 hours (3.5 in summer). But doing work in Craig and Dutch Harbor has taught me about such places. If it isn't in stock locally, and you didn't fly in with it, it is 6 months away.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

2. 
   sweetwater | Apr 27, 2002 08:15am | #7

   Redesign your damned house so it makes more sense