Outdoor fireplace with no chimney?

[CharlieBlanchard]

Hi guys,

I really like the simple design of a big, square hearth for my backyard, but I think that a tall chimney would kind of mess up the aesthetic. I attached a picture here for the basic idea - a poured concrete square as the facade with a block structure behind it. I’m thinking 5’ wide by 5’ tall by 3’ deep. While the pic is of an indoor setup, mine would be for outdoor use.

My question is, is there any way of doing a “chimney-light”? Like I said, I don’t really want a tall chimney both because I think it takes away from the look and because it would obscure the privacy screen of bamboo behind the fireplace/pit.

Any ideas?

,
Charlie

 

[jetsam]

If simple and short is the goal, do it the normal way.

Drag some rocks into a circle if you want to feel fancy. Or just skip the rocks and just have a fire.

I think it's a lot nicer without a bunch of pavement and equipment.

 

[CharlieBlanchard]

If simple and short is the goal, do it the normal way.

Drag some rocks into a circle if you want to feel fancy. Or just skip the rocks and just have a fire.

I think it's a lot nicer without a bunch of pavement and equipment.

Admit I’m a noob here but that’s not an answer. Anyone with an actual answer to the question of how I can create a draft out of the box without a tall chimney? Will a simple hole in the top of the box with no tall chimney attached still draft smoke out of the box?

 

[begreen]

A box with just a hole on the top is not going to vent well at all. Certainly, a chimney is not going to obscure the bamboo. If you want to make it minimal use a steel tube for a chimney. If you want it to be complimentary, use a natural product like stone.

 

[CharlieBlanchard]

A box with just a hole on the top is not going to vent well at all. Certainly, a chimney is not going to obscure the bamboo. If you want to make it minimal use a steel tube for a chimney. If you want it to be complimentary, use a natural product like stone.

Thanks begreen. Any rule of thumb on how tall a chimney needs to be to properly vent out that size of box (interior prob 4’x4’x2’)?

 

[alivegas99]

Your sizing answer is attached. Chimney’s need to be tall to generate draft. The one I made is attached, the chimney is just big enough, works great if <7-8mph wind. Bigger gusts knock the smoke out of the box. It is ~9.5 feet tall with a 13”x13” clay flu. The opening is 32x26. To pull air hard from a 60”x60” opening may be a ‘tall’ task (hehe). Caveat, Im not an expert, dont take my word as gospel!

 

[CharlieBlanchard]

Your sizing answer is attached. Chimney’s need to be tall to generate draft. The one I made is attached, the chimney is just big enough, works great if <7-8mph wind. Bigger gusts knock the smoke out of the box. It is ~9.5 feet tall with a 13”x13” clay flu. The opening is 32x26. To pull air hard from a 60”x60” opening may be a ‘tall’ task (hehe). Caveat, Im not an expert, dont take my word as gospel!

Thank you sir! It’s a great reference to have.

 

[Nigel459]

Why not just do three sides and no top or chimney? I’ve seen some lovely ones in brick and stone. Very functional, although admittedly more of a fire “pit” style.

hard to find what I mean on google, something like this but you can take the walls up as high as you like for more of a “hearth like” feel.

 

[CharlieBlanchard]

Why not just do three sides and no top or chimney? I’ve seen some lovely ones in brick and stone. Very functional, although admittedly more of a fire “pit” style.

hard to find what I mean on google, something like this but you can take the walls up as high as you like for more of a “hearth like” feel.

View attachment 267422

That’s what I was thinking, just don’t know if smoke will be a problem. I guess to the same extent as it would be with any simple fire pit, but I’m wondering to what extent a box with a hole in the top will function more like a fireplace with a chimney, or more like a fire pit. Sounds more like a fire pit. I will build it and post pics in a month or so.

 

[Poindexter]

An enclosed pit with just a hole doesn't draw for beans. I built an Argentine style parrilla this year out of an old Knaack box. I have about 4 feet of (four inch) pipe on it now, but when I am trying to make coals I run it with the factory lid up and my aftermarket front folded down.

EDIT: My working firepit is physically very much like what @Nigel459 posted this morning. My finding is if you are going to put a top on it, you will also need a chimney.

 

[Poindexter]

Odd, everytime I edit the post the thumbnails get added again. I'll stop now.