Method For Making An Outdoor Fireplace

Abstract

A method for making a modular outdoor fireplace having textured exterior surfaces simulating natural stone or bricks and mortar. At least a fire-box unit and a chimney unit are cast from concrete with textured exterior surfaces. After placing the fire-box unit on a support surface, a fireplace insert is positioned in the fire-box unit and the chimney unit is supported either on the fire-box unit or on a cast concrete mantle which is first placed on the fire-box unit. The support surface may be a cast concrete hearth. A metal chimney is inserted through the chimney unit and the mantle and secured to the fireplace insert. A cast concrete cap is placed on the chimney unit.

1 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace comprising the steps of:
 a) casting a fire-box unit and a chimney unit from concrete where said fire-box unit and said chimney unit have a finished exterior surface texture selected from the group consisting of simulated natural stone or simulated bricks and mortar;   b) placing the fire-box unit on a support surface;   c) inserting a fireplace insert into the fire-box unit; and   d) positioning the chimney unit above the fire-box unit where the chimney unit is supported on the fire-box unit.   
     
     
         2 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 1 , and further including the step of positioning a metal chimney insert to extend downwardly through the chimney unit to the fireplace insert. 
     
     
         3 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 1 , and further including the steps of casting a concrete hearth, positioning the cast hearth to form said support surface, wherein said fire-box unit defines a footprint area on the support surface when placed on the support surface. 
     
     
         4 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 3 , and including the step of placing at least one mark on the hearth to identify a desired location of the footprint area to facilitate placement of the fire-box unit on the hearth. 
     
     
         5 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 3 , and including the steps of placing marks on the hearth to mark the location of the footprint area, and applying mortar to the marked location prior to placing the fire-bon on the hearth. 
     
     
         6 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 3 , and further including the steps of casting a concrete mantle, positioning the mantle on an upper edge of the fire-box unit wherein the mantle is supported on the fire-box unit; and positioning the chimney unit on the mantle, wherein the chimney unit and the mantle are supported on the fire-box unit. 
     
     
         7 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 6 , and including the step of placing marks on the upper surface of the mantle to identify at least a portion of the area where the chimney unit will be supported on the mantle. 
     
     
         8 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 6 , and including the steps of applying mortar to the upper edge of the fire-box unit prior to positioning the mantle on the fire-box unit, and applying mortar to the upper surface of the mantle prior to placing the chimney unit on the mantle. 
     
     
         9 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 6 , and further including the step of passing a chimney insert downwardly through openings in the chimney unit and the mantle and securing the chimney insert to the fireplace insert. 
     
     
         10 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 9 , and further including the step of placing a chimney cap on a top of the chimney unit, said chimney cap having an opening through which the chimney insert passes. 
     
     
         11 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 10 , and further including the step of mounting a spark arrester on an upper end of the chimney insert. 
     
     
         12 . A method for making an outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 1 , and further including the steps of casting a concrete mantle; positioning the mantle on the upper edge of the fire-box unit and positioning the chimney unit on such upper surface area, wherein the chimney unit and the mantle are supported on the fire-box unit. 
     
     
         13 . A modular outdoor fireplace comprising a cast concrete hearth having textured edges, a hollow cast concrete fire-box unit having textured exterior surfaces mounted on said hearth, said fire-box unit having at least an open top and a front opening, a fireplace insert positioned in said fire-box unit and having a front opening aligned with the front opening on said fire-box unit, a cast concrete mantle mounted on the top of said fire-box unit, said mantle having a chimney opening aligned with a chimney opening on said fireplace insert, a cast concrete chimney unit having textured exterior surfaces mounted on said mantle, a chimney cap mounted on said chimney unit, said chimney cap having a chimney opening, and a chimney insert passing from said fireplace unit through said mantle opening, said chimney unit and said chimney cap. 
     
     
         14 . A modular outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 13 , and wherein said exterior surfaces of said fire-box unit and said chimney unit are textured to simulate stone blocks. 
     
     
         15 . A modular outdoor fireplace, as set forth in  claim 14 , and wherein said hearth, said mantle and said chimney cap have exterior edges which are textured to simulate stone blocks.