Garden Fireplaces by Schiedel

Outdoor fireplaces by Schiedel can provide you with a stunning focal point in your garden and offer practical uses too. They'll provide a huge amount of heat and can be used for outdoor cooking too when you buy the grill accessories.

The natural pumice stones used to build the outdoor fireplace provide all the insulation required to have a safe and spectacular feature in your outdoor space. The three sizes available are 500mm, 950mm and 1200mm so you can choose the size that best fits your garden or backyard.

The kit for each outdoor fireplace includes the chimney blocks, the lip glue for assembly and the firebricks that insulated the fire opening. Firebrick mortar and render are also supplied to finish the fireplace to a high standard.

Before the Build Begins

All Isokern garden fireplaces need to be built on a firm foundation. The outdoor fireplace weighs a tonne so a reinforced concrete base that is a minimum of 100mm thick will support the structure. A gap of 75mm is required to be left around the fireplace to any combustible material so ensure you have ample space before you start to build.

Optional Log Store

If you have purchased the optional log store this is the first part of the garden fireplace that you must build. You'll need to mix the adhesive as per the instructions on the bag and apply 15-20mm beads onto each piece.

Fire Chest

The base plate of the fire chest is pressed down onto the log store. You'll need to check the garden fireplace is level throughout the build so now is a good time to check this and remove any excess adhesive. As you build your fire chest remember to apply 15-20mm beads of adhesive to each piece including the joints.

Gather Unit

This is the most labour-intensive part of the build (these are the really heavy pieces) but one of the most rewarding as you see your hard work come to fruition. There are 5 pieces to the gather unit that include two side panels, front & back panels and the top of the gather. Ensure the top piece is level as this will be where the chimney blocks sit.

Chimney Blocks

Spread your adhesive onto the top of the gather unit in the shape of the chimney block that will sit on top. You're then ready to press the first chimney block into place. This is the most important piece to position correctly so triple-check it is above the hole in the gather. You'll then glue the remaining chimney blocks in place and finish with the cap.

Your fireplace is now complete! Once the glue has dried you're ready to move on to the rendering stage.

Rendering Your Garden Fireplace

Before starting, burn off the fibres on the external surface of the pumice stone.

For rendering, we would recommend using a plasterer or a competent person for this process. As this is heat-resistant plaster it requires care during application and more pressure than traditional plaster would. The render plaster is designed for one coat but additional bags can be purchased if required.

Firebricks Within the Fire Chest

This is the final stage of your garden fireplace journey. Mix the mortar bag as per the instructions and start to bed the base layer down on a 3mm layer of mortar. You can use tile spacers to keep the 8mm gap between each tile and once all the fire bricks are in place you'll use the same mortar mix as the grout between the joints (ensure you clean off the excess mortar).

Once complete do not use the fireplace for at least 72 hours. The first time you come to use your fireplace start with a really small fire and you may increase the size of the kiln-dried or seasoned firewood you use once the fire chest has fully dried. 

Garden Stoves Explained

If you're wanting a garden feature that is a little less permanent and will provide you with ample heat you might want to consider a garden stove.

Outdoor log burners and garden stoves have become increasingly popular, they provide a fantastic amount of heat and are often versatile enough to cook on. The garden is an extension of your home so the many traditional and contemporary styles of outdoor stoves we supply can complement both living spaces.

Chiminea Vs Outdoor Log Burner

A wood-burning stove is made from cast iron or robust steel and they are often designed with a square firebox. Often a garden stove requires a small length of flue pipe which takes away the smoke. Chimeneas are made from clay or thin steel. They are rustic in their appearance and are essentially an open-fire as they do not feature a door to enclose the heat