Does An Outdoor Fireplace Need A Smoke Shelf

Now some may think that because a gas fireplace doesn t produce smoke that it shouldn t matter.

Does an outdoor fireplace need a smoke shelf.

Factory built fireplaces do not usually have a smoke shelf or smoke chamber above the damper. Its function is to bounce downdrafts back up the chimney. It is however a standard part of most masonry fireplaces. 6 of chinmey ain t much either.

I may just break down and fabricate a 12 piece of 8 round to the top 8x12 liner. The smoke shelf serves the same function of helping to create a convection loop inside the flue regardless of whether the chimney and fireplace are inside or outside the house. I m dun a layin brick on this project. Do i need to parge my smoke chamber if it s an out door fireplace with nothing combustible whatsoever.

The walls of the smoke chamber may have a minimum required thickness of 51 2 or 6 inches. I have an outdoor fireplace that needs parging to smooth out the corbelled bricks in the smoke chamber. Read this to determine if a diy hearth is a project you re prepared to take on. Rod sarmardin on october 29 2019 at 9 44 pm good day.

This is a diy outdoor fireplace built using our plans without a chimney flue. An outdoor fireplace while appealing could be stress causing and time consuming project. A mirror may be required with your flashlight here. Since most of these fireplaces draw quite nicely the need for a smoke shelf is questionable.

Poor draft is the possible implication. Not restricting the smoke and heat you don t need a chimney flue. Pay attention to the inside of outdoor fireplaces that you see around your town. Cool outside air travels down the flue strikes the smoke shelf mixes with warm air.

Its depth ranges from 6 to 12 according to the depth of the fireplace. I think part of my problem may be that i don t have as i mentioned a smoke shelf and it s just an opening at the top back of the firebox. To prevent downdrafts form the outside form interfering with updrafts carrying smoke and gases a smoke shelf is provided. Kreh sr an author and masonry consultant in frederick maryland replies.

You can open a chimney up pretty big and not even affect the draft of the structure so it s basically up to you which build method you want to subscribe to. The smoke shelf runs the full length of the throat. Look above the damper for evidence of a smoke shelf and look at the walls of the smoke chamber if possible.