Hi
First time poster. I just had my center fireplace in my 1912 home restored and brought up to code with a liner, The small iron insert is very ornate, has two dampers and an open basket. It can now be used for coal or wood, but was for coal.
I have a separate chimney in the back of the house that is used for the oil fired hot water heat.
I will use the coal insert (unless I can't afford oil) for pleasure so I won't be buying tons of coal. I have 2 questions:
1. I have been scrubbing the original hearth tiles trying to get them clean and the moisture has caused a fine layer of rust to appear on the insert - I have a special heat resistant paint to apply but won't paint it until I get the surrounding tile and wooden mantle cleaned up. So what can I use to get the rust off the insert that won't affect the coat of heat resistant paint when I get around to it. I've read to use a lemon w/salt to rub it off or linseed oil or kerosene (sounds like a fire hazzard!).
2. I know to use hard coal. Is it really so hard to start a coal fire "whenever" for casual use? I know the heat will go right up the chimney because it's an open coal basket - yet it is an old beauty and I intend to keep it as is without any ugly modifications.
Any input, please?
Thank you!
First time poster. I just had my center fireplace in my 1912 home restored and brought up to code with a liner, The small iron insert is very ornate, has two dampers and an open basket. It can now be used for coal or wood, but was for coal.
I have a separate chimney in the back of the house that is used for the oil fired hot water heat.
I will use the coal insert (unless I can't afford oil) for pleasure so I won't be buying tons of coal. I have 2 questions:
1. I have been scrubbing the original hearth tiles trying to get them clean and the moisture has caused a fine layer of rust to appear on the insert - I have a special heat resistant paint to apply but won't paint it until I get the surrounding tile and wooden mantle cleaned up. So what can I use to get the rust off the insert that won't affect the coat of heat resistant paint when I get around to it. I've read to use a lemon w/salt to rub it off or linseed oil or kerosene (sounds like a fire hazzard!).
2. I know to use hard coal. Is it really so hard to start a coal fire "whenever" for casual use? I know the heat will go right up the chimney because it's an open coal basket - yet it is an old beauty and I intend to keep it as is without any ugly modifications.
Any input, please?
Thank you!
!
