Chimney & Fireplace

Solid fuel fire basket

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.23 PM

Hi I want to put a fire basket in to a fire place I have just opened up. The opening had been plaster boarded to make it an alcove for an electric stove by a previous owner. When I have removed the plaster board there is a bare brick wall to the back and sides measuring 70cm wide and 40cm in depth the back wall is charred off previous use (there used to be a coal fire which was removed about 5 to 10 years ago) there bottom of the fire place has been risen by about 9 inches from the floor level again so an electric stove could be placed upon it. I know I would need a hearth and I have organised for a chimney sweep to come out but I would like to know if it's a simple case of buying a fire basket and once it has been swept I'm good to go and have an open fire, or do I need some kind of liner at the back of the opening. Also I think the brick work at the sides of the opening may be infill as they have a thin layer of cement over them and don't seem to be original do I need to removed these? Or do I re-cement these and leave them in place? I have tried to get a trades man out but nobody seems interested unless I want a wood burner fitted so I'm struggling to get an answer and would really appreciate some help.