Electric Inset Fire Advice

[Clementino]

My Glen Avon inset electric fire needs a replacement as the 3 x 1000watt elements are difficult to find although I am still looking.I must have searched almost every inset fire, but all are so far either too high to fit into the 1930s fireplace opening (500mm) or have slots in the top which would necessitate the chimney being sealed  off and brickwork removed .

The old Glen had a solid top and fitted perfectly as it was just under 5000mm high. Any dirt or birds falling down did not fall inside the appliance .

I stupidly ordered a Glen Crofton which look goods but doesn't fit. The insert measurements were not shown on  the website.

Is it safe to cover the fireplace opening and treat the appliance as freestanding? 

Tina

 

[The Builder]

The short answer Clem is that some Glen Avon fires can be fitted inset OR wall-mounted.

I can't be certain because you haven't told us either the exact model the old one is nor which model you've bought.

[Clementino]

Thanks for the reply. the old inset fire was a Glen.  "Avon" model now discontinued.

The new inset one is the Glen "Crofton" model shown on the Argos website.

[Clementino]

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8899086?clickSR=slp:term:glen%20crofton:1:3:1

[Clementino]

I have just read that heat it not lost through the slots if inserted into the fireplace, so all the heat seems to come from the front. If I put  some heavy support at the front of the feet  to keep it stable, would it make it safe to use without inserting it ?

[The Builder]

Sorry Tina. I saw that in your question. I just thought there might be a model number or something. No matter.

They are freestanding, so a 'surface mounting' should be fine. It maybe won't look so nice as a flush mounting though. You're right. The website description doesn't say anything, but I guess they expect it to be fitted flush usually. If it were me, I'd alter the opening to fit. It's not a big job. But that's easy for me to say  🤔

I suppose, as a last resort, you could ring the manufacturers. Sorry I can't be more help.

ps  The other thing is the fixings. It won't have been designed to fit outside the opening, but I'm sure that could be overcome. Also, they don't usually need a vent, so there should be no problem there.

[The Builder]

The important thing is to put a couple of wall fixings near the top to stop it toppling forward. The feet should be fine as they are.

[Clementino]

Again, thanks MrBuilder.

I've placed a couple of heavy metal bookends for the time being and will try out the heat and see how it goes. I won't  keep the heat on when I leave the room just to be sure :)

[The Builder]

😎

[Clementino]

PS I will try some sort of fixings tomorrow as you suggested. 

[david small]

Thank goodness for The Builder. Sir, you are very much appreciated.

[The Builder]

Thank you for that, David 😎