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We have moved our blog to our Earthcore / Isokern website at http://info.earthcore.co/blog/

Recent Blog Posts:

Entertaining Outdoors During the Holidays
December 21, 2012

Choosing the Right Flue for your Fireplace
December 5, 2012

Tips & Tricks for Decorating your Fireplace Mantle
November 26, 2012

Take Advantage of your Outdoor Kitchen on Thanksgiving
November 20, 2012

3 Things to Consider when Planning your new Outdoor Kitchen
November 14, 2012

How to Extend Your Outdoor Living Season

Now that Summer is officially over, the days of pool parties, BBQs and entertaining in your outdoor living space is over, right? No! The cool, crisp days of Autumn are actually ideal for having outdoor cook-outs, tailgating for the Game on TV, hanging out around the fireplace and hosting Holiday themed gatherings!

A few tips for extending the use of your Outdoor Living spaces this Fall: 

Design your Outdoor Living Space for versatility 

 

By adding comfortable seating, kitchen elements and, if you have a covered area, a TV, you’ll be able to use your space for multiple activities! 

 

Keep comfort in mind

 

In addition to comfortable seating, add an Outdoor Fireplace or other fire element for keeping warm after the sun goes down.  Additional fun benefits of a fire element include roasting marshmallows, a place to mount your TV for watching the game or a movie and a providing a central gathering place for adults and kids alike.

Fire up your Wood Burning Oven or Grill

Your outdoor kitchen elements are not just for cooking up hamburgers and hotdogs in the Summer months – they can be used year round for delicious treats!  In addition to traditional grill fare, a wood burning oven can be especially fun when you have a get-together or party – it can be used for cooking personal pizzas, short ribs, bread and a host of treats and snacks! There are several sources that can be found online for Wood Burning Oven recipes.

Gardens

 

Provide the fresh veggies and herbs for your outdoor kitchen cooking from your own gardens!  Consider growing a couple of Pumpkins for carving or décor instead of using store-bought.  Raised garden beds can provide additional seating transform your back yard.

 

If you haven’t created your Outdoor Living space yet, then now is the time to start planning! Decide what your primary focal point (outdoor fireplace, kitchen, wood fired oven, TV or Seating area) and goal will be (cooking, entertaining, family gatherings, tailgating) and go from there.  There is a huge source online for design tips, photo galleries and sites such as Pinterest to fuel your design juices and helpful articles. 

 

Photo Credits:

Isokern Outdoor Fireplace - Ellen Grasso and Sons in Dallas, TX.

ISO'ven Wood Burning Pizza Oven - Creative Visions, NJ

By: Georgia Fishel

How do I Repair my Fireplace's Fire Brick?

Along with any part of your home, your fireplace requires maintenance to ensure your family’s safety during its use.  There are three main components to your fireplace; the firebox itself (Modular, Masonry or Metal), the damper / chimney system and the fire brick liner. Fire bricks absorb heat, providing a buffer between the fire and the firebox, maintaining a high temperature and preventing damage to the wall behind a fireplace.  Fire brick mortar and/or fire bricks can become damaged after years of use which can cause a fire brick to fall out or crack.  A cracked or damaged fire brick can be a potential fire hazard and should be repaired or replaced before using the fireplace again.

Repairing Cracked Fire Brick

Supplies Needed:

• Water
• Detergent
• Scourer
• Fire Cement
• Gloves
• Trowel

Directions (for Individually applied Fire Brick):

1. Clean any soot, grease or dust from the fire brick that is to be repaired – allow brick to dry before beginning the repair.
2. Apply fire cement to the area that is being repaired, using the trowel.  If the brick has broken into more than one piece, apply a layer of cement along one edge of the break and push the pieces firmly back together.  Wipe any excess cement from the brick.  If repairing a crack, work the cement well into the area, removing any excess.
3. Apply heat to the fire brick, gradually increasing the temperature over a three to four hour period.
4. Allow the brick to cool and check for further cracks.  If additional cracks are found, repeat steps 1-3. 

Replacing Damaged Fire brick

 

Supplies Needed:

• Carbide-Tipped Scoring Tool meant for cutting tile backer board
• Metal Jointer
• Brick Trowel
• Tuck-Pointing Trowel (narrow enough to fit in the brick joints)
• Dry-Mix Refractory Mortar
• Water
• Paintbrush

Directions (for Individually applied Fire Brick):

1. Scrape out the loose mortar.  Rake out the joint with the scoring tool – start gently, probing for areas that are loose.  Dig out the deteriorated mortar until the joint is about ½ to ¾ inches deep and the brick surface on both sides of the joint are mortar free.
2. Brush the joint.  Use an old paintbrush and vacuum to sweep the joints clean.  Brush water onto the joints and brick faces (mortar doesn’t stick to bone-dry brick well).
3. Pack the mortar.  Mix a small batch of mortar according the mortar directions and apply to the brick in line with the joint – pack into the joint with a tuck-pointing trowel.  Pack about halfway full, then press firmly as you pull the pointing trowel (handle first) along the joint until joint is filled.
4. Clean up by scraping the excess mortar off of the brick faces and then wipe immediately with a damp sponge.
5. Let the mortar dry completely for several days – after completely dry, rough up with a metal chisel if desired so it matches the surrounding mortar.  

For factory built fireplaces with installed fire brick panels, contact the Fireplace Manufacturer for instructions on replacement/repair.

NOTE: Though each individual mason may have their own technique because of geographic conditions or training, these are some general procedures for repairing cracked fire brick.

Sources: ehow.com, This Old House

 

By: Georgia Fishel

Is your Fireplace Ready for Winter?

With cooler weather approaching there is nothing more enjoyable than warming yourself in front of a crackling fire. With this in mind, it is important to keep safety in the forefront before burning your wood or gas burning fireplace. Paying attention to a few basic maintenance issues before each heating season, will keep you enjoying your fireplace for many years to come while keeping your family and friends safe and comfortable. 

More than one-third of Americans use Fireplaces and other fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in the home. Of these, appliances used as primary heating sources account for approximately 36% of residential home fires in the rural areas alone each year, usually starting in the chimney.

The most common cause of chimney fires is due to a buildup of creosote (cre·o·sote) in the fireplace chimney. The production of creosote is a natural occurrence when using a wood burning fireplace or appliance and builds up inside the chimney flue over time without regular cleaning. Conditions in your fireplace system that can promote a quicker buildup of creosote, which include but are not limited to; Burning unseasoned or wet wood, restricted air flow occurring from a damper not being fully open or not operating properly or by closing glass doors while the fireplace is in operation. Creosote, which is black or brown in appearance, can present itself in a variety of ways, from crusty and flaky, tar-like or shiny and hardened.  With proper and consistent maintenance, these unsafe situations can be avoided. 

To enjoy your Fireplace and keep your family warm and safe this winter, follow these simple fireplace tips:  

 

Get your Fireplace & Chimney System Inspected and Cleaned Regularly

Royal Edwards, technical director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) states that this is not a Do It Yourself project.  It is recommended to hire a Certified Chimney Sweep to inspect and clean your chimney system before each heating season. A professional chimney sweep is trained to spot inconsistencies that could cause dangerous chimney conditions.

The sweep will open the damper, check the flue system for obstructions (i.e. animal or bird nests) and if possible, go to the roof to check the upper part of the chimney system.  The sweep will check for creosote buildup and other causes of chimney fires such as the deterioration of the flue lining which can be either cracks in a clay liner or refractory material, or the separation or deterioration of a metal flue.  After the inspection the sweep will perform a thorough cleaning and recommend any repairs that might be required.  

There are several resources for finding a certified sweep.  In addition to certification, a qualified sweep should have a contractor’s license and a city license – be sure to get current references and speak with other customers as references before hiring a sweep.

                CSIA – Chimney Safety Institute of America

                NCSG – National Chimney Sweep Guild

Burn the Correct Type of Wood

There are several different types of wood that commonly find their way into wood burning fireplaces.  Soft woods, such as Pine and Fir, tend to spark excessively which can create a potential fire hazard.  Hardwoods, such as Oak and Cherry, are the best for burning – when properly seasoned (dry) they burn hotter and minimize smoke and creosote buildup.

Make Smaller Fires

Everyone loves a roaring fire but too large a fire can present a danger if the logs roll out.  To prevent flying sparks from creating a fire hazard, the use of fireplace screens is recommended. 

Remove Ashes Properly

Wait until the coals are completely cool before removing the ashes from your fireplace.  Once cool, shovel them into a metal container with a lid (available at local hardware stores) and store the bucket outside on a noncombustible surface.  NEVER store on combustible surfaces such as a wood deck or next to wood siding, shingles, etc. 

Note: If you have a compost bin, potted plants or a garden, when completely cooled, you can mix the ashes into the soil to give your plants a nitrogen boost.

Pay Attention to Local Weather Conditions / Warnings

In certain areas there can be Regulations and Codes in place for not burning wood during certain timeframes under certain weather conditions. There are legitimate safety reasons for these warnings and should be strictly observed.

 

Sources: CSIA.org, US Fire Administration, NCSG.org

 

By: Georgia Fishel

Adding an Outdoor Fireplace

Now that Spring is upon us, it’s time to get going on those backyard landscaping projects you’ve been dreaming of all Winter!  While there are many important factors in upgrading and beautifying this area, one of the most important elements is choosing a focal point which can be anything from a pond, dramatic foliage, water features, to a wood fired oven or fireplace.  Just like anything else, fireplaces can come in many shapes and sizes and there are many things to consider when deciding which to choose.

Here are a few tips regarding the different choices available:

Metal Box (Factory Built) Fireplaces:

There are many metal fireplaces to choose from made by multiple manufacturers. While a metal fireplace can be a great option for many cost conscious applications, there may be factors that exclude this choice for outdoor use.  Metal fireboxes are cost efficient and easy to install however extreme temperature changes and weather conditions could dramatically reduce the life of the product. Ensuring a metal fireplace is protected from the elements would be important.

Traditional Masonry Fireplaces:

Not many will argue a masonry fireplace is beautiful. Again, there are many factors that go into the decision for this type of unit.  Traditional masonry fireplaces can be customized and built to individual design preferences however may take a long time to build, a factor which contributes to the cost for installation. Though there is a basic design standard for traditional fireplaces, each one is unique with no performance testing. A skilled mason can do a beautiful job and produce a quality product; finding the right mason with the experience and one who will work within your budget is key.

If choosing a traditional masonry fireplace, a good resource is www.stonefoundation.org which lists stone masons and masonry contractors around the country.  Be sure that they are licensed, check references and visit the mason’s past jobs.

Modular Masonry Fireplaces:

Also known as Prefab Masonry Fireplaces, Modular Masonry Fireplaces were first introduced to the US market by Earthcore Industries in 1989. These fireplaces, made from pumice stone are molded components which stack together with mortar to create a traditional or contemporary fireplace look.  Modular masonry fireplaces are tested for performance and draft prior to being put on the market. This testing can therefore provide more assurance of a well performing fireplace. There are many benefits of a modular fireplace, the first being the cost savings on installation; the material is lighter weight than concrete, provides a free standing system, each piece is made to be installed in only one simple configuration and the fireplaces can be installed in less than a day. Able to withstand intense heat, the pumice stone does not absorb heat like traditional masonry brick, therefore has lower clearances to combustible framing and puts more heat into your area.

When choosing your modular masonry fireplace the most important thing to look for is if that product has been tested and listed UL 127 (safety & performance testing).  Another thing to pay attention to is the material used to make the fireplace.  Many companies boast that their fireplaces are “the strongest on the market” or list a PSI compressive strength – This means that their fireplaces are made primarily of concrete. Concrete does not handle extreme heat changes and is subject to a material breakdown. (Remember that cracked sidewalk outside your house growing up? The one that you always tripped over?).  

No matter which fireplace type or manufacturer you choose, be sure to check with your local building inspectors for compliance to codes before you build, Be smart, safe and informed.   

By: Georgia Fishel