Fondue Fireback: A Traditional Swiss Dish's Surprising Comeback

Firebacks are used to contain fires and prevent damage to the structural brickwork of a chimney. They can be decorative, like some cast-iron backs, or functional, like the traditional Milner fireclay design. Firebacks are made from a variety of materials, including ceramic fibre, fondue, cast iron, and fire clay. The type of fireback needed depends on the fuel being burned. For modern smokeless fuel, a fondue or fireclay back is required as the heat and fumes are too aggressive for ceramic fibre and cast iron. Fondue firebacks are made from a high alumina cement using ground fireclay filler and usually start as a pale grey colour.

Fondue firebacks are made from a high alumina cement

Fondue firebacks are suitable for use with modern smokeless fuel. The heat and fumes from the fire will be too aggressive for ceramic fibre and cast iron, so a fondue or fireclay back is required in this case. For wood-burning fires, a Devon fireback is available, which is designed with a hollowed-out bottom piece that allows the wood to burn more slowly on a bed of ash.

For gas fires, there are no restrictions on the type of fireback that can be used. The full range of ceramic fibre, fondue, cast iron, and fire clay is available.

They are used to contain the fire

Firebacks are used to contain the fire and prevent damage to the structural brickwork of the chimney. They can be decorative, like some cast iron backs, or functional, like the traditional Milner fireclay design. Firebacks are available in a range of materials, including ceramic fibre, fondue, cast iron, and fire clay. The type of fireback you choose will depend on the fuel you will be burning.

For gas fires, there are no restrictions on the type of fireback you can use. You can choose from a range of materials, including ceramic fibre, fondue, cast iron, and fire clay.

If you are using modern smokeless fuel, you will need to use a fondue or fireclay back. The heat and fumes from the fire will be too aggressive for ceramic fibre and cast iron.

For wood-burning fires, a Devon fireback is a good option. It is made from fondue filled with ground fireclay and has a hollowed-out base that allows the wood to burn more slowly on a bed of ash. This design is more fuel-efficient and slower-burning than a raised grate.

Original Georgian and Early Victorian fires often featured cast iron firebacks, with decorations that matched the insert, making the fireback an important design feature. Later, cast iron frames with fireclay bricks or drop-in plates of cast iron were used, before being replaced by longer-lasting fire clay mouldings.

Fondue firebacks are made from a high alumina cement using ground fireclay as a filler and usually start as a pale grey colour.

They are available for a range of fuel types

A fireback is designed to protect the wall at the back of a fireplace. They are made from high-illuminous cement and refractory materials, and can withstand temperatures of up to 1000°C. Firebacks are available in a range of fuel types, including wood, gel, and liquid alcohol.

Wood fires, in particular, are known for their inefficiency, but a fireback can help to minimise this problem. The thicker the fireback, the longer and softer the radiative effect.

For fondue, different fuel types are required depending on the type of fondue being cooked. Chocolate, caramel, and dessert fondue, for example, require a lower temperature than meat, seafood, and vegetarian fondues. The latter types of fondue require a higher heat that cannot be reached with a tea light. Instead, they require a different type of fondue burner, such as the Cuisinox Stainless Steel Fondue Burner, which works with both gel or alcohol fuel.

Liquid alcohol is a dangerous fuel option due to its high flammability and risk of spillage. Fondue gel fuel is often a safer alternative. However, it is important to note that liquid fuel creates more heat than gel fuel.

They are highly functional

Firebacks are used to contain the fire and prevent damage to the structural brickwork of the chimney. While some firebacks are highly decorative, such as those made of cast iron, others are highly functional, like the traditional Milner fireclay design.

Fondue firebacks are highly functional and are made from a high alumina cement using ground fireclay as a filler. They usually start as a pale grey colour but will darken with soot over time. Fondue firebacks are suitable for modern smokeless fuel, as the heat and fumes from the fire will not be too aggressive for this material.

Another highly functional fireback is the Devon fireback, which is made from fondue filled with ground fireclay and is designed specifically for wood-burning. The hollowed-out base section allows the wood to burn more slowly on a bed of ash, making it much more fuel-efficient. The Devon fireback is available in 16 or 18-inch fire opening sizes.

When choosing a fireback, it is important to consider the type of fuel that will be burned. For gas, there are no restrictions, and a range of materials can be used, including ceramic fibre, fondue, cast iron, and fire clay. For modern smokeless fuel, a fondue or fireclay back is necessary, as cast iron and ceramic fibre are not suitable. For wood, a Devon fireback is a good option, as it is designed to burn wood slowly and efficiently.

They are made using ground fireclay

Firebricks, also known as refractory bricks, are made of fireclay, a type of ceramic material designed to withstand high temperatures. The process of making firebricks involves forming fireclay into specific shapes and then firing them in a kiln at carefully controlled temperatures until they reach the desired hardness. The chemical composition of fireclay varies depending on its intended use, but it typically contains primarily silica and alumina. The amount of alumina in a firebrick is crucial, as it determines its maximum service temperature. Firebricks with higher alumina content, ranging from 40% to 80%, can withstand temperatures above 3000°F.

Firebricks made from ground fireclay are specifically designed for applications that require resistance to extreme mechanical, chemical, or thermal stresses, such as the inside of wood-fired kilns or furnaces. In these environments, firebricks are subjected to high temperatures, abrasion from wood, and fluxing from ash or slag. To meet these demands, high-density clay is used to create firebricks with a higher alumina content, typically between 40% and 44% earning them the classification of high-fired super duty.

The manufacturing process of firebricks made from ground fireclay involves shaping the clay through pressing or extrusion techniques. Once formed into the desired shape, the bricks are placed in a kiln and fired at specific temperatures until they reach the required hardness. This process results in a dense and durable product that can withstand the harsh conditions of a kiln or furnace.

In addition to alumina, fireclay also contains small amounts of other elements such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, and titanium. These additional elements contribute to the unique characteristics of fireclay and differentiate it from ordinary clay used in standard bricks. The specific grade of fireclay used depends on the level of fire resistance needed for a particular application.

Firebricks made from ground fireclay are an essential component in various industrial applications, ensuring that furnaces, kilns, and fireplaces can withstand extreme temperatures and mechanical stresses while maintaining energy efficiency.

Frequently asked questions