Manufacturers of fireplace fireboxes: which are the best?

In our imagination, a fireplace is warmth, coziness, the smell of wood, the play of flames. But for all this to be real, you need to build it correctly. Laying of bricks – too long, expensive and no one gives a guarantee. Therefore, many people decide to make a fireplace from a fireplace firebox, encasing it and facing it. The choice of parameters in itself is not easy, but choosing a manufacturer is even more difficult. And although the best fireplace firebox for everyone is different, there are certain brands for which the reviews are more positive than negative.

Which fireplace fireboxes are better, how to choose

When choosing a fireplace firebox, first of all, we take into account the conditions of use and the ability to access. One thing, if the fireplace will be for beauty and joy. Quite another – if for heating. By the way, for heating the fireplace can work in different modes. Somewhere constantly and as the main source, somewhere only in the coldest days, as an additional and for coziness. The best fireplace firebox in each case will be completely different.

The best fireplace firebox: what to look at necessarily

The price difference between fireplace fireboxes is very, very impressive. The cheapest (non-Chinese, those are even cheaper) can be found for 100-300€. The average price range is 500-1500€. The price for the expensive ones starts at 3000-4000€. It is clear that this is not just and there is a difference. The best fireplace firebox in each range is different. However, there is a certain set of characteristics that are necessary in any case:

Why is airtightness important? Because a fireplace insert with a door is needed to be able to choose the burning mode. If air is supplied only through the adjustable dampers, you can dull the flame and put the unit in the long burning mode – when the wood smolders, not burns. This helps save fuel and regulate the temperature in the room. And the best fireplace firebox, unequivocally, that actually allows you to regulate the air supply.

Additional options, but not unnecessary

There are a few other factors that will be helpful. Double or mirrored glass and its self-cleaning system. Double (cheaper option) or mirrored glass allows most of the heat rays to be reflected into the firebox. The benefits are twofold. First – the temperature in the furnace increases, which contributes to a more efficient combustion of fuel. Second – it is not so hot in front of the door.

Self-cleaning system – the air supply to the glass, which takes the soot deep into the firebox. Due to this, the glass is not so quickly smoked (although smoked all the same), soot is burned, which is also a plus. This, by the way, is the secondary air supply to the firebox. The air is fed directly into the burning wood, instead of from below, which also improves the degree of combustion. But these dampers must also be well fitted.

The presence of a schieber (damper) at the chimney outlet. Schieber also allows you to control the intensity of combustion. This is convenient – reduced the draught, closed the flaps and the wood barely burns. But the lack of a baffle in the fireplace firebox is not critical – it can be put on the pipe. You will have to bring the handle for adjustment outside, but everything is possible and not too costly.

Comfortable and/or cool handle. Opening/closing the door of a burning fireplace and not being afraid of getting burned is important. Since metal can be heated to very high temperatures, it is necessary to make not only nozzles, but also inserts made of materials that do not conduct heat well. You can put up with a hot handle if it is comfortable and easy to open/close even with a mitten. So the best fireplace firebox – with a comfortable and reliable handle.

The possibility of intake of combustion air from the street. With properly working ventilation, there is enough oxygen in the room even with many hours of burning. Worse is the case with humidity. In the presence of an open fire, it becomes very low. This is bad for your well-being, but not only. Humidity is important for wooden houses. They have a minimum permissible level of 50%. Otherwise, the wood dries out, cracks and twists. When the fireplace is working for a long time, the humidity can drop to 20-35%, and this is a problem. It is solved by installing humidifiers, but humidity is easier to maintain if the fireplace is supplied with air from the street.

Determine the price category: cheap and expensive, what is the difference?

As already said, the difference in price for fireplace fireboxes is enormous. It is clear that a higher-quality cast iron is used (black instead of gray, for example). It is clear that the casting itself is of higher quality, better fitted parts, more expensive glass, etc. The differences are indeed there. Let’s omit technical and technological details and features, and consider how expensive and cheap fireboxes differ in operation.

This is what distinguishes expensive fireplace fireboxes from cheap ones during operation. No one says that you should not buy cheap ones. They also give out heat, create coziness, a special atmosphere, also allow you to admire the flame. There are very good ones for little money. But they have disadvantages, and usually all at once. They are just expressed to a greater or lesser extent. It is important that you understand what to expect, and determine what exactly for you means the best fireplace top.

Manufacturers of fireplace fireboxes

Conventionally, all metal fireplace fireboxes can be divided into three price categories: cheap, middle segment and expensive. In the expensive segment, the differences between the units are minimal. The quality is usually high. The choice is influenced by aesthetics, the presence of technological innovations. But, in general, there is no big difference here. But if you are looking in the middle price range or among the cheap ones, you can find different quality units for the same price (or comparable).

German, Austrian, Danish and Swedish ones

Fireplace fireboxes of the northern part of Europe, today’s market leaders. Yes, their products are not cheap, to put it mildly. To be more precise – expensive. But these fireboxes serve for a very long time, and do not cause complaints. There is no special difference between manufacturers. Choose according to the characteristics and appearance. Real indicators correspond to the declared ones. One tip: before buying, read the instruction manual (in full). They are usually available on the Internet. There may be points on the peculiarities of operation. If you are satisfied with everything, you can safely buy.

If we talk about this price category, then all fireplace fireboxes of this class burn wood to ashes. This is due not only to the efficiency of fuel utilization, but also to the need to adhere to environmental regulations. In all of these countries, there is strict control over the emission of carbon into the atmosphere. And its level will be low if it is burned in the furnace.

Polish and Czech

If your best fireplace firebox is in the medium price range, look at Czech or Polish factories. They produce not bad heating equipment with good characteristics. They have models that look like expensive German or Swiss. Differences, of course, there are, but the prices differ more. There are quite a few manufacturers, and the reviews are normal. It is important to accurately represent the features that await you. In addition to those listed below, these are Czech ABX, Romotop, Supra, Liseo; Slovenian LK and others.

Nordflam (Nordflam)

Polish company Ekkom produces cast iron and steel fireboxes for fireplaces under the brand name Nordflam. The price segment is cheap. There are very simple models for 290-350 € (Capri, Corno – can be heated with coal, Kaldo). This is a firebox with a door without any special features. The most expensive ones from Nordflam cost 1000-1300 € (La Braise almost with sole burning, Modesto). Between these poles there are about 20 models priced at 500-750 €, differing in size, shape and power. What is pleasant – the design is very different – from the classics with bent forms (Arona), to super modern with frameless glass (Elbrus). And the prices are quite democratic.

In the assortment:

• angular;
• with two and three-sided glazing;
• framed and unframed glass;
• possibility of air intake from the street (almost in all models);
• with water heat exchanger;
• lining with cast iron removable plates or heat-resistant material (in more expensive models).

Efficiency 60-75% depending on the model (60% in the cheapest). Built-in gate, normal-sized handles, which are comfortable to grasp in gloves. Sealing of the glass and doors – with a cord. In general, for the low price segment, Nordflam very good fireboxes. The proof is the warranty for 7 years.

Kratki (Kratki).

Another Polish manufacturer produces Kratki (Kratki) fireplace inserts. Some people believe that the best fireplace firebox in the medium price range is the Polish Kratki. The main price range is 450-600€. Good metal is used in production (both cast iron and steel are normal). There are wood-fired, gas and with a water circuit. Power – from 8 kW to 24 kW. The main advantage is the adjustment of the degree of pressure of the doors, which is not often realized. Thought-out shape, good draught. In terms of external design – quite modest, but not bad.

When burning, the glass smokes, so that you have to wash often. But when using dry wood, proper installation (not too large and massive portal), everything is much better. The most popular model from this manufacturer Kratki Nadia is a small fireplace, which is often purchased for summer houses. Its cost is about 350 €, which makes it the leader in this segment. The Zuzia series has a good price/quality ratio, like many other models.

If we talk about the main ranges – they are good for their price. They are well thought-out and well-tested. New ones are often in need of refinement. If there is a desire to buy something more modern in design, look for other manufacturers. But if the best fireplace firebox for you with a classic design, the Kratky is indeed a worthy choice.

Kaw-Met (Kaw Met).

If you need a good budget fireplace firebox, check out products from Kaw-Met (KawMet or Kaw Met). Of the budget options, these are some of the most worthy. With a low price tag of 500-900€, they have all the features of good fireboxes. Perfectly clean glass, unfortunately, you will not get, but not a bad fireplace for little money – yes.

The advantages are as follows:

• greater wall thickness than analogs of the same price category;
• good sealing (door, glass);
• convenient locking mechanism;
• built-in gate valve (with adjustment on the body in front);
• smooth cast iron (better to see, because it is different from the usual);
• there is a possibility to supply air from the street.

But it’s not all that good. Air supply along the glass is provided (not in all models), but these are just adjustable slots. That is, the glass will smoke. On average, it should be cleaned after 4-6 fireboxes, the laying of wood burns 2-3 hours. So if for permanent heating – you will look at the fire through the plaque. The problem will be partially solved when using dry wood. On the other hand, budget models are always like this. They can not have a complete combustion, the temperature is insufficient, so that the glass is smoked always. Many consider the best fireplace firebox from inexpensive – it is exactly CavMet.

French

The countries of middle and southern Europe have long been drowned not with stoves, but with hearths and fireplaces. Their winters are not so harsh, so there was enough heat. It is not surprising that they have a lot of developments on fireplace stoves, as well as firms that produce them. In our market are not all represented, but the choice is sufficient. French and Italian fireboxes (Italian ones are found in Russia less often) occupy the middle part of the price range. Their equipment has a price of 1.5-4 thousand euros. Obviously, there are more expensive and a little cheaper. In terms of quality, they also occupy the middle position. Better than budget ones, but they do not reach excellent quality (deliberately, it must be said, they do not reach it).

Invicta (Invicta)

The French factory Invicta specializes in the manufacture of cast iron stoves and fireplaces. Cast iron is cast themselves, which gives certain guarantees of quality. The price range is average – 1000-1500€. In cheaper models, the air supply is realized through the grates, in more expensive – from above. They are designed for many hours of operation, as the French warm themselves with them all fall and winter. The warranty period is 5 years, but the company claims that the service life is one generation. But that’s in France – they don’t stuff the fireplace with wood to the brim. The Invicta is often considered the best fireplace firebox in its range.

A design feature – there is no top flap. The door is lined with heat-resistant ceramic cord. The locking handle is designed in such a way that it additionally presses the door to the body. The design of all models is well thought out, the parts are adjusted, the joints are sealed with sealant. In the upper part of the firebox there is a smoke tooth – to improve the draught and protect the chimney from fire.

There are removable lined cast iron plates, the walls have stiffening ribs, which also increase the heat output. The firebox is made with a slope towards the grate, so that the coals roll down, which improves the air supply, the wood burns to ash. Air supply is metered, combustion is regulated. The option is really worthy.

If we talk about the appearance, the design is more classic. What is interesting, in each line there are models with almost square glass (700 and 800), tall (600) and wide (1000) models. They can look very modern when appropriately decorated. There can be two options for opening the doors – classic hinges for opening to the right or left, as well as lifting the door upwards (guillotine fireplaces). The lifting mechanism is based on a chain.

Seguin

French fireplaces Seguin (Seguin) belong to the medium price range with a price from 1000 to 4000 €. Wide power range (from 7 kW), different design, good performance, stable quality. This is what distinguishes this brand. The company has its own foundry, which allows to control the quality of products throughout the technological process.

Cast-iron fireplace fireboxes Seguin are designed for a long mode of operation. Round-the-clock operation is not a problem. Firebox walls – from 9 to 18 mm – depending on the model. Efficiency – 70-85% (more often 70-75%). Sealing – ceramic cord, adjustable (really adjustable) air supply, there is afterburning, but not in all models.

On the plus side, the design is modern and versatile. There are models with three-sided and even circular glazing, with vertical door lift.

Other advantages:

• airtightness (definitely airtight);
• working self-cleaning glass system (not in all models);
• door locking (to protect against children and to prevent combustion products from entering the room);
• fireclay lining;
• wide ribs on the outer part of the casing to improve heat transfer.

The firm is proud of its patented system of closing the doors. But this is the most inconvenient thing about these fireplace inserts. You have to open the door by pulling a very small handle. You have to pry it open with a hook, which is nowhere near as convenient as they tell you.

Russian

Not always the best fireplace firebox is made abroad. There are quite good domestic options for modest money. The longest on the market is Meta. Some have already worked for 5-7 years and without complaints. But do not expect miracles. Definitely not ideal. Be sure to look “live”. If the overall impression is positive, you can take it.

• Meta. Normal fireboxes, with working afterburning and adjustment of the intensity of combustion. Glass is not smoked, if stoked with dry hardwood. Resinous and raw wood smokes strongly. There are different opening systems – vertical and conventional. The company also assembles fireboxes from parts made in France. In the name of the model there is the word Ardenfire – by the name of the company producing them.
• Ekokamine. Budget fireboxes, reliable, without special frills, but they work normally.
• ASTOV – ASTOV. Some models are not quite budget, but there are also up to 100 thousand rubles. The firm entered the market recently, so there is no experience of long-term operation of its products. Those who use them are satisfied. It burns normally, it is regulated. There are models with a guillotine door, choice of lining type (dark and light ceramic or fireclay).
• Termofor. A large Russian company that produces stoves for baths. They have a couple of fireplace stoves. Normal quality, reasonable price from 400 €.

There are fireplace fireboxes in many manufacturers of sauna stoves. It is difficult to say how well they are refined – too little information from the owners.