Expert: James Ball - 2/11/2011

Question
Have a 24-yr old prefab wood burning insert - a mason built brick fireplace front, the hearth and chimney. No grate or glass door came with the prefab. I put in the correct size glass door ordered from Penney's catalog years ago - fits on outside of fireplace opening against brick - works great with 7-or-so fires/yr in Minnesota winter. Has vents between bricks that blow out warm air into room when switch is turned on.  Door keeps cold air out when not using fireplace and keeps AC in house in summer.  Want to replace old fashioned glass door.  QUESTION:  Now, when I called a chimney sweep (1st time I've called one), they were surprised that a "door" didn't come with my fireplace when it was built in the house 24 years ago and that no grate came with it.  Is the "correct grate" a big thing with prefab fireplaces - too big can be a hazard?  I understand the manufacturer, Howard Systems Corp, Austin, TX, is out of business and how can I find out if the grate I have is the right? wrong? size, etc., and find out if I can put another standard (would be "small") glass door on this fireplace without problems. Right now I'm looking at a Pleasant Hearth brand name glass door but it states clearly on the brochure "For masonry fireplaces only - not prefabricated".  As I said, mine is pre-fab on the inside and masonry on the outside. Present standard door is held tight against the brick by a tightened "vise" system that came with the door - has worked great over the years. Is grate size a big deal relative to the size of the prefab unit?  Also, could I go ahead and use the Pleasant Hearth door for my brick-on-the-outside fireplace?  I wrote down all the info off the metal plate inside the prefab unit if any of it is needed.
Thanks,
Rose

Answer
Hello Rose, a pre fab unit is built and tested with all their own stuff (grate, cap, glass doors...etc) so if you add a bigger grate you built bigger fires (not good) and to add a set glass doors could and can also change the temp inside the area behind the unit and cause a fire same with the masonary on the front (all spelled out in the owners manual)
and it has never been inspected by a sweep?
I would call a Certified Sweep (CSIA.org) and have them do an inspection...this unit might need to be replaced (life on one of these units is 20-30 years)
in most cases I am told "its been working fine all these years", but you have just been lucky all these years
have a professional look at it.
James