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October 15, 2008
Form is lovely, but what about function?
Since moving into my brownstone, I have removed this insert in my bedroom fireplace any time I wanted to make a fire. It is tedious removing this cast iron insert. I would just have it removed, but it looks far better than the brick fire box. Any suggestions on an easier way to manage this?
Comments
You are a mother fucking retarded asshat! That is a forced hot air furnace!! The boiler in you basement forces hot air thru that fireplace!!!! My GOD Please move back to fucking Kansas you monochromatic motherfuckers!!!
The What
Someday gene replacement is gonna end...
Posted by: what at October 15, 2008 11:13 PM
Not necessarily true asshat What. That's called a "summer cover" which is put in place when they don't have fires to make it look better. I'm sure if there was a heat duct in the fireplace he would have seen it before he started a fire. You are an idiot and apparently know nothing about original brownsyone fireplaces as ther are none in Lodi, NJ.
For the OP...they would have taken this out completely during the cooler weather when they had fires. I guess you just have to live with the look of the brickwork or re-do it.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 16, 2008 9:20 AM
I'm guessing the twat must be multicolored (brindled perhaps?) based on using monochromatic as an insult.
Posted by: dittoburg at October 16, 2008 9:36 AM
Please Mr. B.
Add The Whats above comment to the quote of the day.
The anger at someones perceived miss use of the "fireplace" takes him to an even higher level
Posted by: CobbleHilller at October 16, 2008 9:40 AM
Hmmm, I'm thinking "Gene Replacement" might become my new Nom de Blog.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at October 16, 2008 9:46 AM
":Not necessarily true asshat What. That's called a "summer cover" which is put in place when they don't have fires to make it look better"
Dave I grew up in a BROWNSTONE on HANCOCK ST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know what type of fireplace it is!!!!!!!
The What
Someday this war is gonna end...
Posted by: what at October 16, 2008 9:50 AM
"Not necessarily true asshat What. That's called a "summer cover" which is put in place when they don't have fires to make it look better."
OH BTW Please show me a "Summer Cover" Dave! I hope tonight a fucking plane crashes into Union Hall... GOD DAMN I can't wait for the Mutant Asset Bubble implosion!!!!
The What
Someday this war is gonna end...
Posted by: what at October 16, 2008 9:53 AM
Apparently not What or you wwould have said so!!!
Heating ductwork is not typically run up the fireplace flues!!!! And you think he starts fires in the fireplace with the gas forced air duct coming up???!!!
RRRROOOOOOTTTTTTFFFFFFLLLLLLMMMMMMMMMMFFFFFFFAAAAAAOOOOOO
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 16, 2008 9:53 AM
Union Hall is not on the laGuardia flight path!!!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 16, 2008 9:55 AM
Usually the what stays more on topic. Even within the what's crazy universe, there is no good excuse for the way he went off on a homeowner about summer covers. Whatever anyone thinks of his market commentaries, the venom and foulness does go up and down a lot and I am taking more seriously the notion that it may be a medication issue. If he's off, or under dosing, it could be an interesting evening tonight (assuming the theory is correct that he is showing up in cognito, despite his protests to the contrary). Just no excuse for this morning's comment.
Posted by: slopefarm at October 16, 2008 9:55 AM
To the OP...go to this site....I bought a great insert from them (it's still up on their "Sold" list) for my fireplace. just get the insert cover and you'll see it looks a lot better.
www.urbanremainschicago.com
Shipping wasn't all that much..maybe $80. I was never able to find such high quality selection here in brooklyn anywhere
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 16, 2008 10:01 AM
Sorry to the OP from the collective here. This is a fair enough question and you should get a good answer. As I don't have any functioning fireplaces I don't have any info for you. But this post is exactly the kind of thing that this forum is supposed to be for so for your sake I hope you get the info you need and don't need to be subjected to another episode of What vs Everyone Else!
Sounds like Dave got you started on the right path though.
Posted by: wasder at October 16, 2008 11:48 AM
It may be a summer cover, but that may also be an insert for a coal fireplace -- this may not be built as a woodburning fireplace. I have a coal fireplace apartment very similar to this.
Posted by: Smokychimp at October 16, 2008 12:09 PM
You really have to make sure the firebox behind the cover is meant for wood burning. My guess is its not.
A properly-dimensioned firebox for burning wood is important so that smoke doesn't fill your house. These proportions need to be deeper than what is traditionally on offer in many brownstones in the nineteenth century (many were for coal .. in my experience early hot air risers for heating were in separate voids in the party wall, not in the chimneys themselves, but anything's possible).
In order to make it functioning you would need to
• reline the chimney, typically with a new stainless flue (this means breaks into the chimney breast at each floor above). This is mandatory.
• possibly rebuild the chimney outside on the roof, including a flue cap
• rebuilt the firebox to a dimension that corresponds to the size of the new flue liner (which is probably not going to be more than 8" ovalized)
• install a damper
• reinstall the marble surround, or devise a new treatment (like tile) for the firebrick now showing in the smaller firebox.
Totally do-able, but not the cheapest work, as it involves the skills of two different trades.
Posted by: an architect in Brooklyn at October 16, 2008 12:11 PM
The cover is suppose to come off for the winter if you have a properly functioning wood-burning firepalce.
If you want, and I do this sometimes, take the cover off, start the fire and put the cover back on. This assumes your vents can open and air can get in to keep the fire going. If the vents on the cover don't work, the lack of oxygen will kill the fire. If that is the case, you need to get a screen to cover the firepalce while in use.
Dave/Architect: I just had 5 fireplaces reopened and relined to be wood-burning. As you state, achitect, the process is extensive. I did find a person who did all of the work you state, which saved me from getting two people in.
Dave: I know someone who sells mantles, covers, end irons, screens, et al in Brooklyn. His prices are reasonable and he is in Greenwood Heights. His name is Manny Lasalle. I can give you his number if you are interested.
I hope this helps you, bheights.
Posted by: 11233 at October 16, 2008 2:36 PM
I second the reference for Manny. We got a quote from him for some chimney work and, although we had to put the work off, he seems to know what he's doing. Struck me as honest. He sells stuff and does the work. He woul dbe a good guy to check out your existing flues to see if you are good to go or need some work.
Posted by: slopefarm at October 16, 2008 2:52 PM
Just googled and found the following:
"Summer covers, or summer doors, were originally used as a means of closing off the fireplace and chimney before dampers were invented. The door allows you to seal off the fireplace when a fire is burning down to embers, or when the fireplace is not in use to help prevent heat loss up the chimney."
To the What: what was your address on Hancock St? Just curious.
Posted by: StuyMom at October 16, 2008 3:39 PM
To the helpful posters: thank you. I had never heard the term, "summer cover," but I think you are correct. The fireplace HAD been changed over to coal decades ago, but prior owners removed the inner workings of the coal fireplace. They left the lovely front. There are no ducts or other components for forced hot air in any of my fireplaces. When I remove the central panel, I have a typical brick fire box for WOOD burning. I guess I will need to have some work done on the brick back so it looks more attractive when the cast iron panel is removed.
And by the way, I really miss the good old days when brownstoner was not a safe haven for psychopaths.
Posted by: bheightsejp at October 16, 2008 6:41 PM
Do not assume because you can see brick that you can use the fp for wood burning unless the work outlined above has been completed - you are risking a serious fire.
The cast iron insert is identical to those on my fireplaces. They were gas fired. There was an insert inside that produced flames - somewhat similiar concept to gas logs that you see in restaurant fireplaces. My inserts were gone but the gas valves to turn them on located next to the fireplaces were (are) still there.
I lined my flues (terra cotta), installed dampers and rebuilt the fireboxes with firebrick. Expensive and messy. The firebox is really too small for a nice wood fire but a Duraflame log with one or two pieces of wood for effect works nicely.
Posted by: jfss at October 16, 2008 7:00 PM
During the standard, pre-purchase inspection of my house, the inspector assured me that it was perfectly safe to burn wood in my fireplaces, including this one. Prior owners had the chimneys relined and had a professional make sure all could be used for wood. The cast iron panel was left as a decorative element, though the vent does work and can be put back in place after a fire is started. I have been burning wood in this fireplace for over two years with no problems. But thank you for your insight.
Posted by: bheightsejp at October 16, 2008 7:08 PM
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