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djkeev
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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 Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 3:53 pm Post subject: Any Masons here? Rumford Fireplace Experience? |
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Any masons here?
Thinking of building a Rumford Fireplace. 30" wide, from what I read height would be 28-30".
I know that there are kits of precast tile for the throat and smoke chamber available....... But I'm not a kit guy especially considering the price $$$ of the precast clay pieces!
I have devoured everything that I can find on building a Rumford but most articles point back to various Rumford Kits.
I found a link where someone took a 15" concrete pipe and sliced it about in quarter to make the curved throat. He plastered it with refractory cement and claims it works great.
I am also unsure about putting a damper in the throat for it interrupts the smooth smoke flow. If I eliminated the damper I Would use a chimney top damper instead.
Others say you can use the damper to regulate air flow...... ?????
My reading leads me towards embracing a Straight back on the firebox rather than being curved, the smoke shelf would be located towards the rear, the firebox 12" deep, the throat would be 4" deep and the about the width of the fire box. In a vertical run of 18" the smoke chamber would narrow from 30" wide at the base down to fit a standard 13" flue tile.
I Understand building codes have been accepted to accomodate the shallow Rumford concept.
What say you??
Dave
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crukab
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 7:42 pm Post subject: Re: Mason? Rumford Fireplace? |
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Where would you use it ?? This is indoors or outside ??
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djkeev
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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e&m_ghia
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Location: NoVA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 6:13 am Post subject: Re: Any Masons here? Rumford Fireplace? |
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We'd never heard of that before… I guess I always just thought they were just "shallow fireplaces" when we'd seen them in old buildings, but there were some benefits I never understood. Cool. Or hot, I should say.
Not a reply to your questions, but I think we made a "semi-Rumford fireplace" some years ago, when we modified our conventional (functional, but mostly decorative) fireplace by adding a cast-iron 3-sided fire backer to it. This decreased the depth & increased the radiant heat substantially - although it didn't have the other advantages of the Rumford, to increase flow…
The 3-sided fire backer was a chance find in an antique store, but they might be generally available; never checked. (Ours looks like it came from an old demolished house. We can take a pic, but we'd probably need to park a toy VW in front of it to meet the rules.) Anyway, another idea, if it works for you. |
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Letterman7
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Location: Downingtown, PA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 6:21 am Post subject: Re: Any Masons here? Rumford Fireplace? |
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I'd like to see what you come up with. Rumfords were never popular in America for some reason, in the UK they were almost standard if memory serves. Very efficient and don't take up a lot of space. I'm sure you've seen this: http://www.rumford.com/plans.html and this: http://www.yankeemagazine.com/article/10things-interact-2/oldhouse/fireplaces-best-rumfords#_
I'm certainly not a mason, but love the idea of a "real" fireplace in new homes (or even older homes). Gas fireplaces just don't do it for me. Word of caution though - check with your local ordinances. New Jersey is following California and a few other states banning wood burning fireplaces. I don't think it's hit everywhere in Jersey yet, but I do know some counties have outlawed wood burning. |
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djkeev
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 6:32 am Post subject: Re: Any Masons here? Rumford Fireplace? |
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| Letterman7 wrote: |
I'd like to see what you come up with. Rumfords were never popular in America for some reason, in the UK they were almost standard if memory serves. Very efficient and don't take up a lot of space. I'm sure you've seen this: http://www.rumford.com/plans.html and this: http://www.yankeemagazine.com/article/10things-interact-2/oldhouse/fireplaces-best-rumfords#_
I'm certainly not a mason, but love the idea of a "real" fireplace in new homes (or even older homes). Gas fireplaces just don't do it for me. Word of caution though - check with your local ordinances. New Jersey is following California and a few other states banning wood burning fireplaces. I don't think it's hit everywhere in Jersey yet, but I do know some counties have outlawed wood burning. |
Thanks for the link, but yes, the interwebby thing is overrun with links to that site and their over priced (IMHO) molded clay. They make it sound like if you don't buy their clay tikes, a Rumford cannot be built! 
But, their precast pieces would save a lot of time and assure you of a properly drawing unit....... 🤔
This home is located in rural Pennsylvania (Berks County) Not NJ, though Rumford style is legal here in NJ today.
Anyway......
Benjamin Thompson, eventually Sir Benjamin Thompson and then Count Rumford.
Rumford wasn't popular here for he was a British loyalist, American born but moved to Europe during the Revolutionary War.
He served the British faithfully and earned his title from them.
No big love for a Loyalist In the Colonies back then!
The Franklin stove was developed during the same time period and was greatly embaced on the Western edge of the big pond.
Dave
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Last edited by djkeev on Sun Apr 24, 2016 7:35 am; edited 2 times in total |
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djkeev
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 7:15 am Post subject: Re: Any Masons here? Rumford Fireplace Experience? |
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I have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of the Rumford.
This will be my 3rd fireplace I've constructed but my first Rumford,
What is tripping me up is the Damper....... To install or not to install?
A mason in Connecticutt well versed in Rumfords uses his damper to adjust for best draw.
Other well versed Rumford masons say a damper hinders the smooth flow of air that the Rumford demands.
Others curse the chimney top damper!
I am inclined to forego the throat damper in favor of a clear smooth 4" x 30" throat.
If that proves excessive I can dry lay a fire brick or two on either end decreasing the size of the throat until it draws adequately.
Though the kit makers use a 3 1/2" x 18" damper ........
A few drawings......
Dave
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Last edited by djkeev on Sun Apr 24, 2016 7:41 am; edited 4 times in total |
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OB Bus
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 7:22 am Post subject: Re: Any Masons here? Rumford Fireplace Experience? |
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How about a nice air tight wood stove with a big glass door? Works great, lasts a long time, burns clean, available most anywhere.
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djkeev
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OB Bus
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 8:31 am Post subject: Re: Any Masons here? Rumford Fireplace Experience? |
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| djkeev wrote: |
| OB Bus wrote: |
| How about a nice air tight wood stove with a big glass door? Works great, lasts a long time, burns clean, available most anywhere. |
BTDT...... Not heating with wood any longer.
Way too much work and messy. Anthracite Nut coal was far superior to wood but..... No more.
This is the house that I'll probably die in, and it won't be from splitting cords of wood! 
This is for pleasant cool evenings, cold snowy days and "Stockings hung by the chimney with care", dog curled up on a rug in front of the hearth ambiance.
Dave |
Understand. We heat 90% with wood but we live in a much more more moderate climate than NJ. Coastal San Diego. I'm 63 and not thrilled with splitting wood either but I can still get the cord and a half we need for the winter. Don't like doing it, though. Too hard on the back.
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e&m_ghia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 9:37 am Post subject: Re: Any Masons here? Rumford Fireplace Experience? |
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| OB Bus wrote: |
| djkeev wrote: |
This is the house that I'll probably die in, and it won't be from splitting cords of wood!
Dave |
Understand. We heat 90% with wood but we live in a much more more moderate climate than NJ. Coastal San Diego. I'm 63 and not thrilled with splitting wood either but I can still get the cord and a half we need for the winter. Don't like doing it, though. Too hard on the back. |
I always figured wood-splitting was the reason this guy lived so much longer than his contemporaries (Pete Seeger at 93):
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Zundfolge1432 
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Any Masons here? Rumford Fireplace Experience? |
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Thanks
Last edited by Zundfolge1432 on Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:21 am; edited 1 time in total |
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my59
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Location: connecting the dots
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 3:03 am Post subject: Re: Any Masons here? Rumford Fireplace Experience? |
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Rumford designed the fireplace as a way to reduce hearings costs back in the day.
I would go with a damper to both control draw as well as be able to close it when fireplace is not being used.
Ever feel the air flow of an open chimney when there is not a fire?
If having an open fireplace is a real desire, Rumford is the way to go.
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