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I'm building a Modified Rumford outdoor fireplace. It will be a gas fireplace, so I had to modify the original Rumford design to fit a gas log set. The firebox demensions are as follows: 41" wide, 36.5" high, and 24" deep. Since it is a modified design, I can't use any of the standard precast products from Buckley Rumford. What would be the best way to construct the thoat? I have attached some pictures that show the firebox.

Thanks for the ideas?

 

[jomama45]

You could certainly still use the throat tiles from Buckley, along with an angle iron to support them.

 

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Jomama45,
I was thinking about casting the throat. I noticed in one of your posts that you used a section of culvert pipe. Is that holding up okay? Do you think that is a good option?

 

[jomama45]

Yes, it's worked just fine and hasn't been a problem at all, but I did plaster a few coats of Heatstop II over it first.

 

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Jomama45,

For all of my masonry work that requires refractory mortar, I have been using
Thermal Ceramics Smoothset mortar (that is all I could find in Phoenix). How thick is the Heat Stop II coating?

I have also seen some people who don't make curved throats on modified Rumfords; they make them straight. Any thoughts on that method?

Do you have any more pics of your fireplace? It looks great in the ones that I have seen.

 

[jomama45]

Jomama45,

For all of my masonry work that requires refractory mortar, I have been using
Thermal Ceramics Smoothset mortar (that is all I could find in Phoenix). How thick is the Heat Stop II coating?

Maybe a 1/4" thick total for both layers combined. I've never heard of the refratory you used, but as long as it's NON-water soluable, it should be fine.

I have also seen some people who don't make curved throats on modified Rumfords; they make them straight. Any thoughts on that method?

I just re-read & realized that you're only using a gas insert. An angled throat should be sufficient for what you're doing. I would personally be aprehensive to do it though IF it were me. It's too easy to convert the gas log set into an igniter, and then try to burn wood in it. Odds are someone down the road may want to do so, and they may be unpleasently surprised to find out the FP doesn't draft decent. I'm sure with some creativity, you can figure out how to pour a curved lintel to place at the front, and just run the back & sides up with firebrick.



Do you have any more pics of your fireplace? It looks great in the ones that I have seen.

I've probably posted all of these already, but here they are. The one shows a good view of the old section of quartered concrete culvert/storm sewer pipe I used for the throat in mine.

 

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Jomama45,

Thanks for the information and pictures! Your fireplace looks great! Nice work!:thumbsup:

Hopefully I finish my fireplace soon :laughing: and can post some pictures. It seems to be a never ending project.