Finally decided to fit a log burner!!!!

Well after 5 years we have finally installed a log burner. We have previously looked into it but decided against it because the situ of the open fireplace would not allow us to have a back boiler fitted which would have enabled us to have run a central heating system from it. The reason being that behind the fireplace there are steps leading down into the basement and it would have been impossible to fix a boiler there so we were sort of put off the idea of having a log burner. However, common sense eventually prevailed and we decided that we were losing too much heat from the fire going more up the chimney than into the room. Also because the fireplace is large we were burning way too much wood and by the time the room was nice and cosy it was time for bed!

And so we went to look at burners and found one almost instantly with a delivery arranged for the next day. I could tell you the story of the delivery and I feel like "naming and shaming" the company who supplied it but it's Christmas so I will let that one go. Obviously they aren't easy items to deliver with the burner itself weighing 160 kgs but hey ho over that panto now thanks to some strong guys from our local builders merchants!!!!

The first job was to remove the cast iron backplate, take out the existing firebricks and remove a few of the marble stones so the burner could be placed lower down to the ground level. Rob then had to refit new fire bricks and render the back and sides. We asked a local welder to make us a steel plate which was cut to size to fit and a hole cut for the chimney flue to slide up in the open space above the fire.

Photo of the removal of the existing bricks and fireplace.

Replacing new firebricks

Inserting the chimney flue and then fitting the steel top plate


Once the flue had been inserted Rob had a bit of rendering to do at the back and sides of the fireplace. It was impossible for Rob and myself to lift the fire into place so once again the guys from the builder's merchant came to the rescue and help lift the burner into place!!! As there was very little manouvreability space at the sides of the burner it was only once the fire was in place that Rob could finish off with the firebricks and tiling the top of the hearth.

And finally all we can say is that we really regret not installing a log burner in 5 years ago! It throws out so much more heat and the consumption of logs is much much smaller! Well happy !!!!