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A custom firebrick core with a facade of precast concrete panels overlaid with ceramic tiles located in Norwich, VT. This fireplace has two separate connections to the chimney. A short connection comes out the left side of the fireplace and goes directly into the chimney. The raised hearth contains an alternate flue connection which goes across the front and left side of the fireplace before going into the chimney. A damper in the direct connection can open or close that connection. When the damper handle visible on the front of the raised hearth is in a horizontal position, the direct connection is open and the flue gases following the path of least resistance, go directly from the fireplace to the chimney. The damper would be open at the start of the firing process. Once the fire has burned for a short while and a good draft is established in the flue, the damper handle is turned to the verticle position, closing the damper. The flue gases are diverted through the alternate channel in the hearth. This provides addional mass for storing heat and provides a warm surface on which to sit. This fireplace has a bake oven on the reverse side. It is a white oven so named because the flames of the fire do not go through the oven. The oven is built in such a way that the flames go around and under the refractory components of the oven but not through it as in a conventional "black" oven. A white oven stays clean and baking can occur during the combustion process.
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