You don't HAVE to use a grate, but it does come with some worthwhile advantages
They have grill or mesh features that help with airflow and ash clean up
Benefits of having a grate include increased ventilation, decreased smoke production, and easier fire starting
One con of owning a grate is that it may not improve the heating...
Generally, a gas fireplace will be good for 10-15 years
However, different parts have different lifespans
An indoor gas firebox can easily last 50 years- and wear out slowly
Burners generally last for around 25 years
Gas valves last about 15 years
Ceramic logs can basically last around 10 years
Blowers and remotes last about 8-10 years
When I...
It was a typical day in the office. I was working on a project when I heard someone yell, "Fire!" I turned around to see the desk across from me engulfed in flames. The fire spread rapidly and soon the whole office was ablaze.
I quickly grabbed my laptop and phone and ran for the door, but before I could...
Neutral colors are typically the best options for fireplace mantels
Ivory is a great color choice for portraying classical components on your mantel
Depending on the color you picked for the mantle or whether it complements the decorations, the firebox interior may need to be painted a different color
It may be a good idea to match the...
When we bought our home in rural New England, the first order of business was to make sure the chimney was in good shape.
We weren't too worried about it at first- after all, the previous homeowners had kept it clean and well maintained.
But as we started poking around, we realized that there was a problem. The cap on the...
Because traditional brick mortar consists of sand, lime, and cement, it will disintegrate in a roaring fireplace
So, yes, fire fireplaces masons need to use refractory fireplace mortar comprised of magnesium silicate, which can deal with heat up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you have a fireplace in your home, there are probably several questions you ask yourself regarding...
It was my birthday and I was opening presents at my parents' house. I had just turned 30 and I was feeling a little bit older than I used to feel.
But as I opened the last gift, I saw something that made me feel young again. It was a set of beautiful copper fireplace bellows.
My parents had known that...
When I decided to buy a pair of fireplace tongs, I had a lot to consider. I needed something that was both sturdy and well-crafted, as I didn't want to have to replace them anytime soon. After some careful consideration, I decided on a beautiful pair of antique English fireplace tongs.
These tongs were large and impressive, and they were...
The answer to whether you should get a heat reclaimer depends on how efficient your stove is.
If it's an old barrel stove or one of the cheaper "ranch" style box stoves that don't have internal baffling and aren't air-tight, then I would go ahead with a heat reclaimer
If it's a newer stove equipped with baffles and...
As I was hefting my new kindling splitter around, I couldn’t help but feel like a badass. This thing was heavy! But in a good way—it meant that it could handle some serious punishment. And that’s exactly what I needed, because I planned on putting it to the test.
You see, I live in the middle of nowhere, and my...
