FAQ
Where can I put a King of Hearths outdoor fireplace?
Our fireplaces make a great addition or main feature for
your outdoor stone patio, kitchen or other entertaining area. As the
name implies, these fireplaces are for outdoor use only and should not
be put in any structure or under any covering.
How much space is required for an outdoor
fireplace?
A clear area of eight feet around the chimney cap and
four feet around the firebox opening should be maintained. No
combustible materials should be within this area including tree branches
above, wood decking, dry grass or furniture.
Do I need a frost foundation under my
fireplace?
No. King of Hearths fireplaces are precast in
high-strength, lightweight concrete so there are no joints to shift or
crack during natural temperature expansion and contraction movements.
All that is required is a six inch thick precast or poured concrete pad
or hearth.
Can I purchase a hearth along with my
fireplace?
Yes. King of Hearths makes quality hearth pads to go
with your fireplace. Ask your dealer which pad is right for your
fireplace.
How do I set up my fireplace?
We strongly recommend having a landscaping professional
with proper equipment install your fireplace. Simply remove the chimney
from inside the firebox. Move the fireplace on it's shipping pallet
next to the slab or hearth where it will be placed. Use a forklift to
gently lift and set the fireplace in the center of the slab. Once in
place, center the chimney over the opening in the top of the firebox.
No mortaring is necessary. When finishing your fireplace with stone,
brick or stucco simply cover the joints to secure the chimney in place.
Add a spark arrester to the chimney to protect against flying sparks and
keep leaves, branches and other foreign materials out of the fireplace
and chimney.
Do I need to install protective fire brick
in the firebox?
No. All King of Hearths fireplaces come with fire brick
pre installed. Fire brick is a specially designed material that can
withstand extreme heat and protect the precast concrete form, extending
the life of your fireplace.
Can I add my stone, brick or stucco facing
right away?
Since all materials, including concrete, react to heat,
we recommend building a few fires in your new fireplace to temper the
materials. This should be done after you install a chimney cap/spark
arrester and before you add your facing. This process will help bring
the materials to a near final state and help avoid any further settling
or heat stress.
Do I need a log grate in the bottom of my
fireplace?
Your King of Hearths fireplace is designed to burn wood
with or without a log grate installed. Without a grate, simply lay the
wood in the floor of the firebox. Wood grates allow more airflow to
your fire and help extend the time between ash removal.
What can I burn in my King of Hearths
outdoor fireplace?
As tempting as it may be to burn trash, treated wood,
yard compost or other materials in your fireplace, we recommend burning
ONLY dried natural tree wood. Burning other materials can have adverse
affects on your health, your fireplace, and the environment. Your
safety and the environment are important to us.
Can I use gasoline or another combustible
fuel to start fires in my fireplace?
We recommend using paper, cardboard or wood kindling to
start your fires. Anything else could be a danger to you and
potentially damage your fireplace. Consider safety your top priority.
Is my fireplace supposed to have a rough
surface?
Yes. Your King of Hearths fireplace is manufactured with
a textured exterior. This semi-rough surface helps ensure a lasting
bond between the precast concrete and your finishing materials.
Do I need to mortar or secure the
fireplace to the hearth or slab?
No. In fact, a small gap is needed between the bottom of
the facing (stone, brick or stucco) and concrete pad to prevent the
facing from contacting the hearth/pad during any temperature related
shifting of the pad which could damage the facing.
My side box appears to be a different
height than the firebox. Is this normal?
Yes. Side boxes are constructed slightly taller than
fireboxes so the side box meets the firebox at an angle. This helps
prevent pooling of water and ice which could expand and damage your
stone or stucco facing.
Is the fireplace light enough that I can
set it in place with a few strong friends?
Your safety is important to us. We strongly recommend
having a landscape professional or the dealer from which you purchased
your fireplace use a fork lift or other appropriate equipment to move
your fireplace into place. Attempting to carry or place your fireplace
without proper equipment could result in serious injury or worse.
