Help with open fireplace blower.

[stoveguy123]

So the winter time is here and our new apartments electric heater cannot keep the house warm. I have seen these "blowers" that you can insert into your fireplace as a heat exchanger, and it looks like a very good/efficient idea.

Are these things a viable option, and do they work good? My only worries are that it will blow smoke out into the room from the fan, and toxic fumes from metal being in the fireplace.

Fireplace dimensions:
Front (opening) = 28 inches
Back = 22 inches
Height = 17 inches
The bottom is not flush with the ground. It sits up from the hearth/floor 8 inches.

I know nothing about these things, so I am looking for a little education on this subject, but most importantly some suggestions on different products out there.

My biggest problem so far has being able to find something that fits with the 8 inch lift my fireplace has from the ground. Seems like most blowers out there sit flush with the ground.

 

[webbie]

Well, they work....to an extent. Surely not anything near what a stove or an insert puts out.

So I guess you are worried about the blower box being on the outside?
Units such as this seem to have the fan located where it would still be up on the hearth....
http://www.efireplacestore.com/fsd-...nnelid=FROOG&gclid=CN-BiY-l_roCFUzxOgodLGcAuQ

 

[stoveguy123]

No, I would prefer the blower box to be on the outside. So far I have not seen anything under $500 that looks like it would actually do the job and that is way more then I am willing to spend on something for an apartment. Thinking about maybe a DIY on this one to give it a try... Is there a certain type of metal I should be using for this? Like I said I don't want to be blowing toxic chemicals around the house with the wrong type of metal.

Would galvanized pipe do the trick?
Copper pipe?
Or Stainless steal?

I would just end up running one pipe in one side around the back and out the other side with a small fan to push the air.

 

[webbie]

Well, the pipe would have to be of a certain size - quite large to do anything much...
Of course, you'd feel hot air coming out of it, but how many BTU's is another story. The main thing is that the pipe would have to be tight as you don't want it to pick up any embers or ash.....

You might, in addition, want to try something like this...surely inexpensive enough....
http://www.amazon.com/x20-Stainless-Steel-Radiant-Fireback/dp/B002TNUINK

There are some other grates which claim to throw radiant heat - like:
http://www.texasfireframe.com/fireplace-grate-store.html

Here is another:
http://www.gratewalloffire.com/

 

[stoveguy123]

Here is basically what I had in mind. Looks like he is just using some flexible chimney piping.

 

[webbie]

As they say, you are on your own! Yes, I thought some flex ss piping might be a good material. Paint the stuff with high heat black to soak up more heat.

 

[stoveguy123]

I went to the hardware store to see if I could find some sort of flexible piping, all they had was aluminum dict work which was only rated to 400° F. I guess this is a failed attempt....

 

[etiger2007]

Looks scary and unsafe to me