A fallback option of using our fireplace for heat and cooking has led me to look at firebacks. I was amazed to see cast iron firebacks priced well over $200. Short of finding some used- are there any other materials that are suitable?

-- Steve Felling (sfelling@compuserve.com), May 28, 1999

Answers

Steve,

If your local paper has listings for moving and estate sales, I would go through the listings very early on your Saturday mornings and call the more interesting ones to see if they have firebacks, inserts, or wood stoves. Two weeks ago, I got over a thousand dollars worth of stuff for about 100 dollars cash including a non-electric circulating air fireplace insert, one cord of cured, split cherry wood, three 5 gallon fuel cans (2 kerosene and 1 gasoline), 2 wood splitters, an axe, a garden rake, a hoe, a shovel, 20 foot steel ladder, and a couple other things that I can not remember just now. I gave the ladder and one wood splitter to a guy who picked up the firewood and stacked it nicely for me (about a three hour job considering all the wheel barrowing he and his partner did). It would've taken me 8 hours and I would have been in a bit of pain from all that heavy exercise.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 28, 1999.

Wha t do I have to do to get the fireplace insert? Thats a good find. Way to go!!!!

-- Johnny (JLJTM@BELLSOUTH.NET), May 28, 1999.

Johnny,

Actually, Mike (who I met at the get together) has first bid on it if I can't cut it down to fit in my fireplace. This insert is amazing. Too bad the company is long gone. I would PAY for a new one. Anyway, the guy that sold it to me paid $800 20 years ago (I have the receipt and all the papers) and this insert has got a lot more years left to it. The design is such that airflow pushes hot air through an upper vent... and into the room and house. The guy I got this from had used the insert to heat his whole house through northern Virginia winters. If I see design plans in the owner's booklet, I'll email if you like.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 28, 1999.

Stan...If you find the outline, make a thread of it please.

-- Lobo (atthelair@yahoo.com), May 29, 1999.

Quadrafire makes beautiful fireplace inserts in black with gold trim. Large forebox too. (Small fireboxes require special wood cut to size.) Extremely efficient. Although it does get up to 400 degrees on top, hasn't much of a cooking surface. Their freestanding one does, though. Don't forget that whatever you buy, it may need a double insulated stove pipe - even inside the fireplace - or it won't be efficient. Costs adds up.

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), May 29, 1999.