Case study

Refurbishing a Baxi underdraught open fire

Not every job is a stove. In Driffield we restored a classic Baxi Underdraught open fire to full working order rather than replacing it.

Talk to us about your project Stoves in Driffield

WorkOpen fire refurbishment

LocationDriffield, East Yorkshire

ApplianceBaxi Underdraught open fire

Experience35 years of solid fuel work

The thinking

When an open fire is the right answer

Today, and for good reason, most homeowners choose a wood burning stove. Modern stoves are efficient, cleaner and make a striking focal point when they are thoughtfully designed and properly installed. That is most of what we do.

Every so often though, a client simply loves the charm, the sound and the atmosphere that only a traditional open fire gives, or would rather sympathetically refurbish the fireplace they already have than rip it out. That is a perfectly good decision, and it deserves the same standard of work as a new installation.

The appliance

The Baxi Underdraught

The Baxi Underdraught is a classic British fireplace that has stayed popular for generations thanks to its timeless look, robust construction and dependable performance. It is designed to burn solid fuels such as house coal and smokeless fuels, and seasoned logs where suitable.

Because it has been made for so long, genuine replacement components are still available, which is exactly what makes a proper refurbishment possible instead of a replacement.

The work

Genuine parts, correctly fitted

The chimney was inspected and then professionally swept before any work began, and the old used solid fuel backs were removed. Restoring the fire to full working order then came down to combining genuine Baxi replacement components with the right installation materials.

The refurbishment used a Baxi Burnall 16 inch grate, with an 18 inch grate where applicable, a four-piece sectional Baxi clay back set, a Baxi Burnall lift-out ashpan, a Burnall deepening bar and a throat lintel, known as an Otty hood, to guide fumes correctly into the flue. A large bag of V4 grade vermiculite insulation and a 2 inch by 2 inch decorative fire frame in brass or black completed the specification.

Every component was carefully fitted so the fireplace operates safely and efficiently while keeping the authentic appearance and behaviour of a traditional Baxi Underdraught. With over 35 years installing solid fuel appliances, this kind of restoration is familiar ground.

The job

Photographs from this installation

The restored Baxi grate and brass frame set back into the marble surround.

Before: the fireplace stripped out, with the old solid fuel backs removed.

The opened chamber before the new clay back set went in.

The chimney inspected and swept before any work began.

One of the existing fireplaces on the property.

The four-piece sectional Baxi clay back set.

The throat lintel, or Otty hood, which guides fumes into the flue.

The Baxi Burnall lift-out ashpan and underdraught unit.

Fitting the new components into the brick chamber.

The throat lintel going into place.

The thinking

Refurbish or replace

Most clients now choose a stove, and for good reasons: efficiency, cleaner burning and a stronger focal point. But an open fire gives something a stove cannot quite reproduce, and some people want exactly that, or want to keep the fireplace their house already has.

Refurbishing rather than replacing is a legitimate choice, and it still has to be done properly. The chimney was inspected and swept first, and the old solid fuel backs were taken out before any new components went in.

The detail

What a Baxi refurbishment involves

The Baxi Underdraught has been made for long enough that genuine replacement parts are still available, which is what makes a full restoration realistic. Grates, a sectional clay back set, an ashpan, a deepening bar and a throat lintel all combine to get the fire drawing and burning as it was designed to.

Open fires need looking after. An annual sweep matters more here than with a modern appliance, and it is worth reading our guide to booking a service before winter. We cover Driffield and the Wolds for both stove and solid fuel work.

Questions about this kind of job

Asked and answered

Can you still get parts for a Baxi Underdraught fire?

Yes. Genuine components such as Burnall grates, sectional clay back sets, ashpans, deepening bars and throat lintels are still available, which means a tired Baxi can often be restored rather than removed.

What is a throat lintel or Otty hood?

It is the shaped component that sits above the fire opening and guides smoke and fumes into the flue. Getting it right is central to how well an open fire draws, and a missing or damaged one is a common cause of smoking fireplaces.

Is an open fire less efficient than a stove?

Yes, considerably. A modern stove burns far more efficiently and sends much less heat up the chimney. An open fire is chosen for character and atmosphere rather than efficiency, and it is an honest trade-off to make with your eyes open.

Do open fires still need sweeping every year?

They need it more than most appliances. Open fires produce more soot and deposit, so regular sweeping and inspection is important for safety and for keeping the fire drawing properly.

HETAS registered

Installed with care, certified with confidence

Carl self-certifies every installation and notifies Building Control on your behalf, so the work is signed off properly and your certificate of compliance is issued for your records.