We have a normal fireplace in our 1968 rambler that has never been used. We would like to put in a gas fireplace insert, but it would cost about $1200 to have a gas line installed (we use natural gas to heat our home). The fireplace has a small door in the rear for cleaning--is it possible to install a propane-fueled artificial fireplace log? [more inside]
posted by mecran01 on Nov 10, 2009 - 7 answers

We want to add a wood stove to my wife's studio, currently under construction. Is outside combustion air a must or a maybe? [more inside]
posted by ulotrichous on Oct 7, 2009 - 8 answers

How do I coax a squirrel out of my fireplace flue? I think he likes it in there. [more inside]
posted by dinger on May 9, 2009 - 9 answers

I would like some tips on how to find or make a fireplace screen that is no wider than 23" and no taller than 27" for under $100 or so. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on Feb 14, 2009 - 6 answers

Fireplace removal. We just bought a house (an Eichler if your familiar with that style) and it has an outdated, ugly big red brick fireplace in the middle of the room. We really hate the way it breaks up the room, but we're not sure who we would even call to have it removed. It's an especially difficult removal since there's a hole in the roof for the stovepipe. So: 1. who would you call to remove the fireplace and 2. how much would something like that cost (ballparking it)?
posted by bananafish on Dec 27, 2008 - 22 answers

For the past two years, I've come across a TV channel broadcasting a looping video of a fireplace with Christmas music. I have no idea what channel it was on, or how/why it exists. All I want for Christmas is answers.
posted by SamuelF on Dec 23, 2008 - 17 answers

When I burn a fire in my fireplace in the evenings I have to leave the damper open all night so the house won't get smoky. This causes all the heat in the house to get sucked up the chimney. I suppose I could extinguish the fire before going to bed, but I was hoping that I might be able to close the front off somehow. Does anyone know of a solid fireplace screen made for this purpose?
posted by haikuku on Nov 19, 2008 - 12 answers

Are there any laws prohibiting outdoor fireplaces (sometimes called chimineas) within the city of San Francisco? I am thinking of getting one for my back porch, but don't want anyone calling the cops/FD on me. I've checked the SFFD website, but couldn't find anything.
posted by yizzle on Nov 16, 2008 - 2 answers

What to do about the woodstove and our new kittens? [more inside]
posted by 10ch on Oct 27, 2008 - 14 answers

Jumping from the gas into the fire? [more inside]
posted by lpsguy on Oct 10, 2008 - 6 answers

My house had two fireplaces which were walled over by the prior owner. I'd like to reopen them and possibly retro fit them to be gas fireplaces. How horrible (read expensive and time consuming) of a construction job would this be? [more inside]
posted by 26.2 on Sep 19, 2008 - 6 answers

I have wooden fence that I would like to take down and burn in an indoor fireplace. is it safe? [more inside]
posted by rudy26 on Jul 21, 2008 - 13 answers

I would like to find something to put in my fake fireplace. [more inside]
posted by orange swan on Mar 28, 2008 - 25 answers

Where's the best place in Chicago to sit in front of a nice fire and sip drinks? [more inside]
posted by MsMolly on Feb 4, 2008 - 12 answers

Tell me about gas fireplace inserts: What do they cost (approx.), what are the good-to-better brands, and what features are nice to have. [more inside]
posted by mosk on Feb 2, 2008 - 4 answers

What, if any, are the effects of express warranties by landlord and landlord's agents under New Jersey landlord tenant law? [more inside]
posted by bunnycup on Dec 14, 2007 - 6 answers

My wife wants to get a plasma/LCD TV and mount it over the fireplace. That just seems way too high to watch comfortably, though. Does anyone have any experience with a TV mounted that high? Will the kids be able to watch it if they're sitting on the floor? Does angling it help?
posted by adverb on Nov 15, 2007 - 24 answers

What can we do to stop our smelly neighbors? [more inside]
posted by susiepie on Oct 26, 2007 - 13 answers

I need to find a giant metal sheet, yet I am not rich, help? [more inside]
posted by stormygrey on Sep 27, 2007 - 14 answers

Fall is right around the corner. These chilly mornings have me thinking about lighting a fire in our fire place. I love the look, the smell, and everything else that goes with a fireplace. But efficiency wise? It sucks. [more inside]
posted by jaythebull on Sep 19, 2007 - 14 answers

Should I take out my gas fireplace insert? [more inside]
posted by seekingsimplicity on Sep 18, 2007 - 12 answers

Fireplace glass doors: Necessary evil or unsightly decorating no-no? We have three brick fireplaces. The house was built in 1968 or so and the folding glass doors on the fireplaces appear to be from the same era. I grew up in a 100+ year old house with no fireplace doors, and the hearths were much more attractive than these. Questions: can we/ should we remove the doors? If we leave the fireplace au naturel will there be freezing cold air flooding into the house? All my searches about his have led to sites talking about REPLACING the doors, but we want to be rid of them. ANy help from people who know more about chimneys, etc. than we do would be most welcome.
posted by mmf on Sep 3, 2007 - 11 answers

How do I install a cast-iron fireplace? [more inside]
posted by Life at Boulton Wynfevers on Jun 12, 2007 - 7 answers

Fireplace Filter: I am looking for outdoor fireplace ideas. I like the old 60's metal "cone" type fireplace (in orange!), but i can't find a good way to search for those; I'm not sure what they are called and my google skillz aren't helping. Could I make one myself? [more inside]
posted by gingembre on May 9, 2007 - 4 answers

OK. We've been in a house in San Diego for a few years. It has a fireplace with some kind of gas jet in it. The gas is controlled by what looks like a big key in the wall next to it. We've never really used this because, well, it's San Diego. Seems a little silly. But this weekend I got to thinking that it might be something interesting to have running while we eat our Thanksgiving sushi. So ... how in the heck do we use this thing? I can turn on the gas and light it, and we get a "fire." But it's not particularly pleasant or romantic. Is this even the correct usage?? Or are we supposed to put some kind of logs or something in there? Thanks.
posted by mpemulis on Nov 19, 2006 - 19 answers

How do I remove melted polyester fabric from the glass window of a propane fireplace? [more inside]
posted by thanotopsis on Oct 29, 2006 - 5 answers

Can you put garden marble rocks in a fireplace? [more inside]
posted by kgn2507 on Sep 7, 2006 - 4 answers

How do you remove paint from a brick fireplace? [more inside]
posted by jca on Aug 16, 2006 - 14 answers

Help me use my wood-burning stove! [more inside]
posted by frogan on Jun 9, 2006 - 7 answers

I would like to turn my computer into a fireplace. Note: not by burning my pc. I want my monitor to display the burning logs and I want to hear the fire roaring and crackling. I would prefer it not to be a screensaver but if thats what you got then i'll take it and be happy.
posted by pwally on Nov 3, 2005 - 11 answers

How energy (in)efficient is my gas fireplace? [more inside]
posted by crapples on Sep 19, 2005 - 4 answers

Any tips on applying the grout to a newly-stone-veneered fireplace? Specifically, I was wondering if the grout level should be consistently laid into the crevices level with the flattest (least projecting) piece of stone. Any other advice welcome, as well!
posted by clever sheep on Jul 23, 2005 - 4 answers

Tenant problems. Is there a way that I can temporarily block a fireplace so that it cannot be used? Is there a way that I can rig a washer and dryer so that they cannot be used either? [+] [more inside]
posted by Juicylicious on Feb 15, 2005 - 31 answers

What is a good, small, inexpensive, energy-efficient space heater? Living in a leaky old house, we're starting to dread the approach of our first winter here. All we have is one crappy gas wall heater, this electricity-sucking system on the roof that pumps down solar-heated air, and a fireplace in the bedroom. We need more. (We're already going to seal the windows with plastic where we can.)
posted by gottabefunky on Sep 23, 2004 - 8 answers

Dang, it's cold! I sure would like to sit around a toasty fire. And hey, look over there! It's a perfectly good fireplace... but we just bought this house in July and have never used it. We know it uses natural gas, as evidenced by the key-knob that releases the fumes. But we don't see any pilot light. It might be electric starting, but no switch is evident, and being in a circa 1985 house, I doubt it. So... anybody ever used one of these things?
posted by grabbingsand on Jan 10, 2004 - 8 answers