Step-by-step: Creating a movable decorative fireplace

End result

The end result of this step-by-step plan is a movable fireplace. Some impressions are below. We have not chosen to place these on wheels, although that could of course be great for moving it even easier! This is possible because no harmful substances are released for a bio-ethanol fireplace and therefore no flue gas discharge is required.

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Necessities

To make a portable decorative fireplace yourself, the following materials and tools are needed:

Materials:

Tools:

  • Saw (wood + metal)
  • Screwdriver
  • Drilling machine
  • Straight bar
  • Stanley knife
  • Spatula
  • Sponge
  • Brush or paint roller

Step 1: create a frame

Make a frame where the burner fits exactly at the top. This is possible with wood, but also with metal. Make sure that the top is not made of thick slats, as the ventilation holes on the side of the burner must remain open. Also make sure that the recess is made to exactly the right size for the inner size of the burner, so that the burner has sufficient support all around (the top of the burner all around is +/- 0.4 inch wider than the tray, so that 0.4 inch must be able to properly rest on the frame).

Wooden frame

Step 2: check whether the burner fits

It would be a shame that the enclosure is finished, and then it turns out that the burner does not fit in the opening. Therefore, make sure that the burner fits into the framework at this step:

Step 3: check the ventilation holes

Check whether the ventilation holes on the bottom are sufficiently visible. Keep in mind that in a later step Promatect plates will be placed on the frame, so that the burner will be positioned +/- 0.4 inch higher - even then the ventilation holes must still be visible.

Step 4: mark the plates

Place the wooden frame on the Promatect plate and mark it to size. Note: Let the plate cross over 0.4 inch on each side, so that the next plate fits exactly in between. We have used Promatect HD so that the casing can also be placed outside. Note: the burner itself must not get wet!

Step 5: cut the plate

Cut the plate using a knife and a straight bar on the marked line.

Step 6: break the plate to size

Break the plate to size - the applied cut will break the plate exactly there.

Step 7: screw the plates against the frame

Screw the plates against the frame. This closes the burner opening at the top - this will be corrected in the following steps.

Step 8: turn the casing upside down

Place the casing upside down and mark the recess for the burner so that it can be cut out in the next step.

Step 9: drill a hole in the top plate

Unscrew and remove the top plate. The inside dimensions of the burner are marked on the bottom. Drill a hole within this section, so that the recess for the burner can be cut with a jigsaw in the next step.

Step 10: cut out the recess for the burner

Saw out the marked recess for the burner. Make sure that the outside of the line is cut, since the line is marked from the inside (and the frame fits exactly if it is right - see also step 1).

Step 11: Screw the top plate back onto the frame

Screw the plate back onto the frame. This should now look like this:

Step 12: check again if the burner fits

Check again if the burner fits into the recess. If the top plate has not just been cut sufficiently wide, it can now be easily corrected.

Step 13: apply corner protectors

Cut a corner protector to size and mix the plaster with water into a paste. Secure the corner protectors with some plaster.

Step 14: apply plaster and smooth

Apply the plaster and smooth it with a sponge.

Step 15: smooth sanding

Sand the casing smooth.

Step 16: paint

Paint the casing. As the flames bring up the heat, the surface of this enclosure will not become very hot. In principle, "normal" wall paint can then also be used.

If you use this decorative fireplace outside, the flames will be blown a little more to the side in the wind, which will make the surface warmer. If you use this blog article as inspiration to make your own casing that also uses plate material above the burner, then a heat-resistant paint must be used. In this example we use KEIM mineral paint - it is heat resistant and also offers protection against the weather.

The end result

The end result: an easily movable decorative fireplace! Plug in, and just burn. With 1 filling, fire can be enjoyed for approximately 10 hours.

What is your preference: sleek without supplement, with ceramic wood, or with stones?