YES But read below for a little advice
A phone call we had this morning has had me thinking that we ought to offer some more advice on whether polished fireplaces are suitable for solid fuel use.
They are available and we sell Polished Fireplaces for solid fuel use but there are opinions on the Internet that they shouldn’t be used for solid fuel use let me explain why.
When burning solid fuel the heat this option gives off has on occasions discoloured the bars that fit around the front of the fireplace.
This discolouration is a bluing effect, which is caused by the polished surface coming into contact with extreme heat. It will not affect the service of the particular fireplace and the product is perfectly safe to use its just a cosmetic appearance.
I am of the opinion that this affect adds to the traditional look of the product and it is normal to show signs of use I don’t think it distracts from the look of the fireplace and its not as if the whole of the fireplace is going to discolour.
This affect can be kept to minimum or without any discolouration if the fuel you are burning is kept out of contact with the bars and basically the hotter the fuel (such as anthracite) the worse the discoloration is.
A lot of this can be removed with a metal polish but it can’t be removed altogether and should be considered when ordering your fireplace, if you feel like you couldn’t live with this you are better to choose an all black finish.
Just to add to this article we as a company have sold literally 1000s of Highlighted or Full Polished fireplaces over the years for Solid Fuel Use and have never had a single phone call saying about it discolouring so I’m sure again its other people online or in some fireplace shops not correctly advising customers as to what can happen so hope this makes it easier for you to make your own mind up and if you need any more help just contact us
Archive for July, 2009
Can I use Polished or Highlighted Fireplace for Solid Fuel Use ?
Friday, July 10th, 2009Large Nexus Black Fire Basket from Gallery Fireplaces
Thursday, July 9th, 2009The last best selling feature of the month is the Fire Baskets section and this month the winner is The Large Nexus Basket This Basket is in our Contemporary basket section and has always been one of our better selling firebasket. It’s very simple in design and is available for use with gas and solid fuel. It comes in a Black or Chrome finish however the Chrome Basket is only suitable for display or gas purposes, as the chrome will flake off if used for solid fuel use. The Black version can be used for Display, Gas and Solid fuel use
The basket is a really good size and is 760mm wide and 405mm deep so you do need a large opening to fit this in. If this is to big have a look at its smaller brother the Small Nexus, which is 610mm wide x 315mm deep.
Both these baskets have a good area for burning real logs on so you can throw a good log on then sit back and relax and watch the fire burn away. Is there anything better than throwing small bits of tree onto a fire and hear it crackling and the gorgeous smell and ambiance of flames.
This months best seller was the Black Version for solid fuel use which comes with an ash pan which is ideal for cleaning away all the debris after the wood or coal has burnt away see photograph below for this featured best selling Fire Basket of June.
Victorian Style Bedford Mantel is Modern Fireplaces Best Seller
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009Once again we get round to which of our Modern Fireplaces has sold best in the Month of June and this Month it is the Granite Panel and Pine Bedford Suite which has been ordered in both gas and electric use making it the run away winner in this section.
We are in the process of altering this category to make it easier to navigate the various sections so keep an eye out for that.
Let me tell you a little more about this month’s winner. This set is a little strange to call a modern fireplace as it has a very traditional Victorian
Styled Pine mantel which is called the Bedford. This surround is made from solid pine and features two nice scrolled corbels just underneath the shelf. Apart from that it’s reasonably plain and is suited to most inserts.
When we photographed these together I wasn’t sure whether it went well together but after giving it a try im now convinced and so are this months customers that it works.
The Matching panel and hearth set we supply is available in two sizes of 48†and 54†each with the Bedford surround to match.
The Electric and Hotbox Gas Fire inserts we supply with this package can be fitted with any of our Gallery Fret and trim sets available in various colours and styles to personalise the look of your new fireplace, this option creates numerous looking fires and we always confirm you trim and fret choice after your order has been placed to make sure you get the right item you want.
The photograph below shows the Pine Bedford with the electric insert complete with Bauhaus Silver Fret and Silver trim to match so if you wish to but just click on photo below.
Granite Panel and Bedford with Electric Insert
Firefox 12 Multi Fuel Stove is Junes Featured Item
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009This Months best selling Multi Fuel Stove is the Firefox 5 but because I featured it last month its pointless doing it again so I am going to feature the Firefox 12 Multi Fuel Stove we had a busy 2 weeks (Due to holidays) selling various stoves which is strange to say the weather has been so warm and the sales for the Firefox 12 stove could have been better as we only sold one, I should really entitle this post the Worst selling stove of the Month as that’s what it was.
This is not due to it being unpopular as normally it is one of our strongest sellers but I must say I am a little glad because anyone who has had one of the beasts delivered knows how heavy they really are.
Anyway here are a few details about this stove
It is a double door stove that is easy to open that then gives a burning area as to what seems you could fit a small tree on to. It has a controllable heat output of up to 12KW and is brick lined and comes with controllable secondary airwash system.
As with all our stoves it is approved to European EN13240 Standard and has an efficiency rating of 79%, which is good for a solid fuel appliance.
Made from cast iron its quite simple in design and boasts two large doors which give you a good view of the flames through the Glass. It can be riddled from the outside of the stove so it can be de-ashed without it all coming into the room and then simply just remove and empty ash pan.
With a stove of this size it can heat large rooms as a primary heat source on the coldest of nights and with prices from £475 there has never been a better time to buy this great hardworking stove now before the prices go up as they always do when it comes to October then sit back and relax and know that your gas bill will be reduced and let the Multi fuel stove provide a great cheap heat source for any cold room.
Firefox 12 Multi Fuel Stove
Large Oak Corbel Surround Junes best Selling Wooden Fireplace
Monday, July 6th, 2009I said it would be a strange month for our best selling Fireplaces and the Wooden Packages category has thrown a really worthy winner our way it does get repetitive featuring the same Fireplace surrounds etc but this month its completely different I don’t think this mantel has been our best seller before anyway here it is the Lytton and Oak Large Corbel fireplace set for solid fuel takes this months award.
The Lytton is the best selling arched fireplace produced by the Gallery group and has been our best seller since I started selling fireplaces over eleven years ago this decorative arched fireplace can be used for gas solid fuel or electric use and looks great in the black or highlighted finish and is a classic styled Victorian arched fireplace.
When we feature this fireplace with the 100% solid Oak Large Corbel surround which is a work of art in its own right it creates a fireplace set that is fit to grace any room.
The Shelf width on this mantel is 55†so its quite big and is only available in this one size it features two ornate large corbels and has fluted legs and with the “hens teeth “ decorative beading around the top really looks great.
Take a peek at this month’s unusual winner and see of you would like to order one of these packages and with prices starting at £580 for the solid fuel package its an absolute bargain
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Lytton Highlighted Large Oak Corbel
The Nottage is joint best selling combination Fireplace
Sunday, July 5th, 2009Cast Iron Combination Fireplaces have always been very good sellers of our and offer great value when buying fireplace as you do not need a separate surround so its always a busy section on our website. This month we have a tie as to which is our best seller the first one is the Pembroke Black which was last months winner and the other one which we are going to Feature is The Nottage Combination
The Nottage is a classic Arched combination fireplace with a shelf that measures 30â€, its available in a Black or Highlighted finish and has a very decorative finish to it making it quite ornate.
We tend to recommend using this fireplace in bedrooms and dining rooms or even living rooms with a small chimneybreast or where you only want a small fireplace feature it is perfectly suited to all these situations and will be sure to make a really nice feature for any room
With prices starting from £210 for the matt black version it really is a bargain and as always we offer it for sale as a package suitable for use with solid fuel, gas and electric use so take a little look at the Highlighted Nottage Fireplace shown below with a granite hearth and then see for yourself why this month it has become the joint best seller along with the Pembroke
Nottage Highlighted Fireplace
Crown and Brompton Limestone Fireplace Junes Best Seller
Saturday, July 4th, 2009Well it is that time of the month again when we tell you what has been our best selling Fireplace items for the Month of June it has been a short month for us as we were away on holiday for the last two weeks so we may get to see some different fireplaces instead of the main sellers we always seem to feature
We will start the ball rolling with the Best selling Limestone package which is the Crown And Brompton Limestone Package
This fireplace set has been sold by us for numerous years and always has been a good seller. This month the winner by a whisker is the Black version as shown in the photo below used for solid fuel use, as we have stated before we have seen a return to gas use recently but this month that has gone to pot and 70% were for solid fuel use (that’s what you get for trying to monitor sales trends)
The Crown is a really simple arched fireplace with no decorative detail to it at all and looks perfect with the Victorian styled Brompton Limestone Surround, which always seems to be our best seller.
This fantastic set starts at £610 plus the VAT Reduction, which is an absolute bargain for 100% solid agean limestone, and Solid Granite Set. Have a look at the photo below and order yourself this month’s Best Selling Limestone Fireplaces package
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Crown and Brompton Limestone Package
Gallery Fireplaces Stoves Comply to European Standard EN13240
Friday, July 3rd, 2009Following a few emails from a potential customer of ours I would like to try and clear a few things up about the Stoves we sell from the Gallery Range.
The person contacted us asking if our stoves and in particular the Firefox 8 were CE and BS approved and whether they had the identification plates attached to the rear stove and requesting photos of such tag.
I am aware of an article someone has written about this but they state that all stoves to be legal to sell and fit have to have these plates attached.
This information is NOT correct and what they state is “ALARM BELLS – No metal data plates on the rear of the stove. By law the stove must carry metal identification of Compliance approval plates – normally on the rear of the stove. If these plates are not present, the stove is NOT approved. Ask for photographic proof before purchase that these plates are present.â€
The Actual EN13240 standard which all stoves are tested too states that each appliance is to be Marked or carry on its packaging the following details
Manufacturer’s name or trademark
The type or the model
Nominal output in kW or W, or range listed from lowest to highest
Space heating output in kW or W
Water heating output in kW or W
The standard number: EN 13240
Measured CO concentration at 13% oxygen content
Determined appliance efficiency at nominal heat output,
Maximum water operating pressure (if applicable), in bar
“Follow the user’s instructions” and “use only recommended fuels”
The minimum clearance distances from combustible materials, in mm, as
Appropriate;
Whether or not the appliance can be used in a shared flue;
Whether the appliance is capable of continuous or intermittent operation
All this required info is contained within the Manual that comes with each fire so there is no need for the so called “Metal Data Plates†this so called guide is very misleading and has been viewed nearly 30000 times how many people has this one man confused.
We are a responsible Fireplace and Stove retailer and would not sell any items that have not been tested and been approved for use in the UK.
All the stoves we sell have been passed to EN13240 Standard and are approved for use in the UK.
I’m not saying there are not stoves on the market that are not approved but when buying a stove whether from us or anybody else just ask them if the stoves meets this European Standard if so your HETAS fitter will have no problem fitting it without the fear of it invalidating your household insurance.
So when you buy a stove just simply ask the seller does this stove comply with European Standard EN13240?
Black Tiled Insert and Pine Bedford Fireplace makes our gallery section
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009Claire Cox from Dudley contacted Cast Fireplaces via our easy to use Website to supply a tiled insert and surround package for gas use.
The order was placed on the 7th June and was delivered the following week
The item she order was the Black Tiled Insert and Pine Bedford Gas Package they chose the 48†Pine Bedford Mantel with the Haslingden Burgundy Ivory Tiles.
This item has now been installed and a photograph was sent to us on the 29th June.
The Tulip Black cast iron fireplace insert is one of our best selling tiled inserts second only to the Toulouse. It has a decorative hood with the tulip pattern on it (hence the name) and comes complete with a set of art Nouveau bars and ash pan cover
The Haslingden tiles they have chosen compliment the fireplace very well and the choice of the 48†pine Bedford Mantel fits the chimneybreast perfectly and makes a great feature.
If you to wish to order this feature set just click the link above or click or on the photo shown below of this fireplace fitted in place and I’m sure you will agree it makes a very nice feature and a real bargain at £610 and is also one of the best selling wooden packages we sell.
Claires Tulip and Bedford Fireplace
Fireplaces will be delivered on time after Holiday
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009Wow what a day cant believe it the weather is far too hot for selling fireplaces and the mad rush we have returned to here is making me even hotter as there has been nobody in our office for two weeks so today we have done nothing but sort out orders and arrange delivery for all the fireplace and stove orders we have taken over the last two weeks.
I have also visited the Factory unit today to meet two different customers who were both local to us and have supplied them both with Fireplace Sets one that I delivered on the way back to the office how is that for service delivery within 30 minutes of ordering that’s all thanks to our large stock we have. One ordered a made to measure solid Oak mantel and even were not good enough to do that while they wait but its only 7 days manufacture time.
I am also glad to say that the workshop now has the new fireplace showroom standing in it all boarded out with the electrician ready to start tomorrow it will be ready on time for opening at the need of this month (cant wait)
Sorry if you have not been able to get hold of us over this time but we all need a holiday and will work solidly now right through until the Christmas mad rush is over, saying that now seems strange as we are in the middle of a heat wave. We do try to have time off at what should be the quietest time of the year but looking at the mound of orders in front of me I think we may have timed it slightly wrong however with our great delivery drivers and service it will all be sent out over the next week or too as we always try and deliver within 10 days, so please bear with us we are working at full speed to delivery all these products on time.
I’m off now to turn the fans up to stop me wilting as I am computer bound all afternoon processing orders so if you ring and there is no answer I may have passed out Hold that thought Rhian has just returned with Watermelon
Told You she runs things here