Fireplace help

Jo100

Hello

Does anyone have any suggestions on how we can reduce the size of the fireplace? We currently have 2 baking trays strapped to the front of the fireplace with gaffer tape to reduce the size (its smokey without this) but looking for an old style solution.

Thanks in advance

Jo

lostinrates

Jo100 wrote: »

Hello

Does anyone have any suggestions on how we can reduce the size of the fireplace? We currently have 2 baking trays strapped to the front of the fireplace with gaffer tape to reduce the size (its smokey without this) but looking for an old style solution.

Thanks in advance

Jo

Hmm, we have a newly built fireplace similarly smoking, but we didn't expect it to be plain sailing.

With an original fireplace the first thing I would do is make sure a chimney sweep as been to look at it, and has advised you, checked their is adaquate air movement (I.e. the problem could be not your firlace opening, but rather the chimney pot being too plain, or needing a whirligig thing ontop, or buildings newer than your house obstructing the breeze across the net so draw is failing that way.

Only once you have checked it out with a chimney sweep and maybe a structural engineer would I start fussing tbh.

In our experience lowering the mantel works temporarily in only some weather conditions. Other things that we have found helpful are to burn soft wood brighter and faster than one might ideally choose, and raising the grate.

But if it's an original firplace and it's not working then it merits investigation IMO.

Beckyy

I second getting a reputable chimney sweep to have a look before you do anything.