Abstract: A fire stump holds firewood and similar combustibles in a near-vertical stable position. Firewood is end-stacked upon a ground engaging base, further stabilizing the base. An upper generally planar firewood support is inset interiorly from the base, providing sufficient tilt to hold a plurality of stacked wood in an inverted funnel configuration. The upper firewood support has a perforate center defining a chimney hole and a perimeter defining a plurality of concave arcuate cut-outs that serve as firewood supports. A riser extends between the ground engaging base and upper firewood support, holding the two in parallel but vertically offset planes. In a most preferred embodiment, the ground engaging base and upper firewood support are stamped from a common sheet of metal, with the upper firewood support circumscribed in the original sheet of metal by the ground engaging base.

Abstract: A ventless fireplace is provided, including a protective fireplace door, a wall positioned behind the protective fireplace door, a hearth surface positioned adjacent the wall, the protective fireplace door, wall and hearth surface defining a cavity the hearth surface further defining an opening therein, and a mechanical structure for housing one or more fuel cells positioned below the hearth surface, so that when operational, one or more flames emanating from the one or more fuel cells supported by the mechanical structure pass through the opening in the hearth surface. The protective door further includes a door frame, a door bezel hingedly attached to the door frame by one or more hinges, a door screen fixed within the door bezel, and a latch assembly fixed to the door frame to selectively engage the door bezel from the door frame.

Abstract: An improved fire grate may provide fresh oxygen rich air to a secondary combustion zone, created by the improved fire grate, of a combustion chamber where a combustion gas stream is typically oxygen starved assisting in the burning process of incompletely burned particulates and reducing other harmful emissions. A baffle plate may be introduced in the secondary combustion zone to increase a combustion chamber temperature, encourage mixing of oxygen starved air with oxygen rich air and increase a residence time of the combustion gas within the combustion chamber. These aspects of the baffle plate promote more efficient burning of the biomass/fuel. Additionally, log lighter(s) may be disposed in the secondary combustion zone to increase a temperature of the combustion chamber for the purposes of reducing harmful emissions. The improved fire grate may be horizontally and vertically adjusted to fit within different sized fireplace combustion chambers.

Abstract: An improved fire grate may provide fresh oxygen rich air to a secondary combustion zone, created by the improved fire grate, of a combustion chamber where a combustion gas stream is typically oxygen starved assisting in the burning process of incompletely burned particulates and reducing other harmful emissions. A baffle plate may be introduced in the secondary combustion zone to increase a combustion chamber temperature, encourage mixing of oxygen starved air with oxygen rich air and increase a residence time of the combustion gas within the combustion chamber. These aspects of the baffle plate promote more efficient burning of the biomass/fuel. Additionally, log lighter(s) may be disposed in the secondary combustion zone to increase a temperature of the combustion chamber for the purposes of reducing harmful emissions. The improved fire grate may be horizontally and vertically adjusted to fit within different sized fireplace combustion chambers.

Abstract: A decorative fireplace screen for a fireplace having a fireplace opening, and a method of manufacture therefor are disclosed. Decorative screens of the invention may also be for other purposes. The fireplace screen includes a planar main member, a decorative design applied to the front surface of the main member, a substantially clear adhesive layer over the decorative design, a design-enhancing mosaic of shattered-glass pieces adhered to the adhesive layer and substantially covering the decorative design, and grout between the shattered class pieces and securing them in place. Certain preferred embodiments are a support member along the lower edge, a frame, a foam board on the back surface of the main member to facilitate air-blocking of the fireplace. Preferred decorative features are glitter selectively applied over the design and use of a substantially transparent material as the main member.

Abstract: A liquid-fuel burner apparatus for a fireplace using a liquid fuel. The apparatus includes a fuel-containment housing having walls forming a housing upper edge, the fuel-containment housing being adapted for insertion of a porous, fuel-wicking brick member. The porosity of the brick member is sufficient to support a continuous flame at the upper burn surface with fuel present in the fuel-containment housing.

Abstract: An improved fire grate may provide fresh oxygen rich air to a secondary combustion zone, created by the improved fire grate, of a combustion chamber where a combustion gas stream is typically oxygen starved assisting in the burning process of incompletely burned particulates and reducing other harmful emissions. A baffle plate may be introduced in the secondary combustion zone to increase a combustion chamber temperature, encourage mixing of oxygen starved air with oxygen rich air and increase a residence time of the combustion gas within the combustion chamber. These aspects of the baffle plate promote more efficient burning of the biomass/fuel. Additionally, log lighter(s) may be disposed in the secondary combustion zone to increase a temperature of the combustion chamber for the purposes of reducing harmful emissions. The improved fire grate may be horizontally and vertically adjusted to fit within different sized fireplace combustion chambers.

Abstract: Provided is a cooking grate for improving cooking performance on an outdoor cooking grill. The cooking grate has a metallic plate, configured to be placed over a heat source in the outdoor cooking grill, where the metallic plate has a plurality of perforation holes. The cooking grate further includes a plurality of cooking surface ribs, configured to support food during cooking and positioned above the metallic plate. Also provided are methods of providing an improved cooking grate for an outdoor cooking grill including the steps of: perforating a metallic plate, configured to be positioned above a heat source on the outdoor cooking grill; forming a plurality of cooking surface ribs, configured to receive food to be cooked thereon.

Abstract: A modular outdoor barbeque grill and firepit is constructed of artificial stone-like slab members, which permit a uniform construction method by utilizing only a single block with a universal joint configuration to create an easily assembled, disassembled, re-assembled, and inexpensively manufactured product. Simple variation in the slab members' length, as well as relocation of the joint permits tremendous versatility of product design without increasing complexity of assembly. Slab members are cast of air-entrained concrete in elastomeric molds for reduced density and lighter weight members, which have advantageous thermal properties, exhibit greater longevity in adverse weath conditions, and may be so formed with pigments to resemble stone, brick, or decorative mosaic tile. The ease of construction by the design of this invention also permits quick transition between a backyard fire pit and a barbeque grill with a sophisticated appearance.

Abstract: A firewood retainer assembly and a fireplace incorporating the same are provided. The assembly includes a grate for supporting firewood at a level above a floor of a fireplace combustion chamber. The grate includes a first end opposite a second end such that a width of said grate is defined between these ends. The assembly also includes a deflector positioned adjacent the grate for deflecting air entering said combustion chamber below the level. A method of burning firewood is also provided which results in reduced particulate emissions. The method requires the deflection of air used for combustion below the firewood, heating the air with embers located below the firewood, and using the heated air for combustion.

Abstract: A firelog burner is provided that includes a base and an artificial firelog support frame pivoted to the base. A pair of non-burning artificial firelogs are removably mounted on the support frame. The base has a fire directing member extending along a back thereof and in an upward direction for directing flame between the artificial fire logs. The non-burning artificial fire logs in the support frame are operably pivoted above the base and toward the flame directing member to raise the support frame and the non-burning artificial firelogs for the insertion of placement of a burning artificial firelog in the base. The firelogs and support frame may then be pivoted in the opposite direction to an operating position.

Abstract: A realistic gas fire log system providing log movement during use to enhance the realism of a fireplace system, comprising a ceramic fiber top, molded to look like charred embers or ash ported with one or more holes and recessed at the bottom to form a cavity, a steel pan sealed to the bottom of the ceramic fiber top, forming a chamber; a gas supply, gas control valve and a venturi fitted in an orifice through the pan, and including a log movement mechanism comprising an armature for pivotable attachment to one end of a fire log resting over a second fire log including two or more log sections connected by a spring and an activating mechanism, which armature causes the hinged log to collapse downwardly when activated and reposition into its original position when the fireplace is turned off. The log movement mechanism can be incorporated into existing gas fire log systems or made part of the original equipment of a gas fire log system.

Abstract: The fireplace grate comprises a frame defining a compartment to hold a firelog or starter material and to prevent direct contact between the firelog or starter material and wood or ceramic logs placed on top of the frame. In one embodiment, the fireplace grate includes a hingeable door or member for the insertion of the firelog. In an alternative embodiment, the fireplace grate includes pivot arms for pivoting a ceramic log over the firelog in the compartment.

Abstract: A fuel for producing attractive audio and visual burning results is disclosed.

Abstract: A log burning device that includes a standing grate that supports at least one log and a cover that is attached by at least one hinge to the standing grate. A method for burning logs using a standing grate that has a hinged cover that is attached to the standing grate. The method includes the steps of rotating the cover to an open position, loading at least one log onto the standing grate, lighting the log, and then rotating the cover to a closed position.

Abstract: A log burning device that includes a standing grate that supports at least one log and a cover that is attached by at least one hinge to the standing grate. A method for burning logs using a standing grate that has a hinged cover that is attached to the standing grate. The method includes the steps of rotating the cover to an open position, loading at least one log onto the standing grate, lighting the log, and then rotating the cover to a closed position.

Abstract: A log retainer has a two or more mounting brackets connected together by a cross bar. Each mounting bracket has a lower and upper mounting arm which is used to connect the retainer to the grate without adapting the grate. Each of the lower mounting arms has fingers extending therefrom, and each of the upper mounting arms has a thumb extending therefrom, the fingers and thumb engaging members of the grate to support the mounting brackets and cross bar above the grate to retain the logs in the grate.

Abstract: A fireplace wood holder which holds firewood in a vertical position so that the firewood's fibers and water-conducting channels are oriented substantially up and down to allow more complete burning and combustion, and therefore more efficient heat and mass transfer and subsequently a more efficient combustion of the wood. Additionally, the wood holder can be tilted into a filling position to provide a convenient method of adding fuel to the fire.

Abstract: A fireplace including a heat exchanger beneath the combustion chamber floor. The front panel or surround of the fireplace housing includes a central opening which accesses the combustion chamber. Room air inlets and outlets, which are ducted to the heat exchanger, are horizontally arranged in a duct manifold that is positioned above the front panel opening. By positioning the room air inlets and outlets within the front panel opening rather than in the surround, the entire surround can be faced with marble, brick or other decorative material without having to provide a break therein for the ingress and egress of room air. A fan within the heat exchanger circulates room air in a flow path from the room being heated into the duct manifold inlets, through a first duct and into the heat exchanger, from the heat exchanger and through a second duct, and out through the duct manifold outlets. The fireplace also includes a raiseable hearth overlaying an opening accessing the heat exchanger fan.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fireplace rack for use with paper wrapped compressed fire logs in wood burning masonry or steel fireplaces and a portable fireplace unit. The rack comprises a base for supporting one or more fire logs and an upper frame adapted to support a display of artificial logs so that when lit, the paper wrapped fire logs burn up through the artificial logs to give the ambience and appearance of a real pile of logs.

Abstract: A wood burning stove incorporates a catalytic cell for reducing exhaust emissions from the stove. A pair of heat shields are spaced from opposing surfaces of a combustor to exchange thermal radiation with the combustor. The combustor is oriented at an acute angle to enhance the combustor life. One of the heat shields also functions as a deflector for deflecting exhaust toward the combustor. A secondary air unit supplies secondary air to the vicinity of the combustor. A dynamic grate assembly is employed to prevent under firing of the firebox.