1933 home looks like it was gas, but I want wood.

[stak]

I have a home built in1933. The fireplace looks like it was made for gas, or has been converted to gas. It is only 10 inches deep and there is just a 4 inch diameter pipe opening. There is also another fireplace directly below it. A few questions.

1.) did they build them like this at one point?
2.) was it converted, given the fact that it is only 10 inches deep?
3.) is it even possible to make this a wood burning fireplace?
4.) what kind of $ am I looking at

edit- Upon further review it is not a 4 inch pipe. A brick was either hacked out or left open for a vent. It looks like a regular chimney and as I look at it I can see warm air pulling through it wisping my wallet with it.

 

[Simonkenton]

That is an odd fireplace, I agree it looks like it was built for gas. Are you saying that the flue pipe is just 4 inches? No way you could burn wood with a flue that small. Also, those red tile probably would not hold up to the heat, but, you could replace them with the special brick used in fireplaces.

If you had to convert a 4 inch flue into a wood burning flue, which might be 12 inches by 12 inches, depending on the size of the opening of the fireplace, it could be very expensive, it might be impossible.

 

[begreen]

Might have been coal? 4" is not too practical and wouldn't work for wood.

 

[stak]

Might have been coal? 4" is not too practical and wouldn't work for wood.

upon further review, it's not a 4 inch pipe. A brick has been hacked out and a rag was stuffed in. Looks like it may have been bricked over

 

[begreen]

It would be good to have the chimney inspected by a certified sweep. Then options can be discussed. It will be important to determine the interior size of the flue pipe, the flue pipe condition and the option or reusing this chimney. It probably will need a stainless liner installed inside to make it safe. Then your best option may be to install a freestanding, rear-exit stove and extend the hearth to accommodate it.

 

[Simonkenton]

This does appear to be a fireplace designed for gas logs. If so, it would just have a straight flue running up from the firebox.
The part of the fireplace just above the firebox, for a wood burning fireplace, which you cannot see, has a large chamber built into it called the expansion chamber. At the bottom of the expansion chamber is the smoke shelf, which is, perhaps, 10 inches wide. Also, the throat must narrow down, it may be 5 inches wide and 30 inches long.
A fireplace designed for gas logs would not have, I am pretty sure, an expansion chamber or smoke shelf, and it will never burn wood well without them. It would not be possible to retro fit an expansion chamber and smoke shelf.