Our Company Blog

Factory-Built Fireplace Facelift

Factory-built fireplaces, also called pre-fab, are essentially a sheet metal box with refractory cement panels lining the interior of the box. These boxes can be insulated or not, depending on the design. The stove is attached to a chimney pipe that sits inside the flue. All pre-fab fireplaces should have an appropriately-sized flue liner, or metal pipe, that meets the capacity of the appliance and runs through the chimney to the top.

With the entire thing being pre-fabricated in a factory setting, you might feel like you have no say over the design. When you grow tired of the old brass doors and unsightly louvers, it’s time for an update! There are many options available for your fireplace face-lift.

Where to Start

First, schedule a chimney sweep and inspection to ensure that your system is in proper working order. The CSIA chimney inspection is required annually by most homeowners insurance. Also, for the safest and most efficient performance. A CSIA certified chimney sweep can detect rust or other types of damage which can render it unsafe for use. Any damage, no matter how minor, should be repaired before any installations or upgrades. This not only keeps your family safe, but also protects your new investment.

Your Upgrade

In an effort to save money and avoid involving a professional, homeowners may try to beautify the area around the fireplace. For example, a homeowner might cover the wall around the fireplace with new ledge-stone. Afterwards, only to be dissatisfied with the worn out door and ugly black louvers. If the fireplace is in good shape, you don’t want to remove usable portions. A professional can use your existing fireplace to complete your upgrade and leave you with your dream fireplace.

• The Reface Door
  By removing the existing glass door and mesh curtain screen we can easily install the Reface Door. These are available in a variety of finishes to match the style of your home and your personality. This process is simple, but involves careful measurement that should be completed by a professional. Once the door is ready we attach it to the existing fireplace with heavy duty magnets so your door won’t budge. You can learn more about the process here. The slots at the top and bottom of the new door allow for the louvers to still work properly. In addition, giving it the face-lift you desire.
• The Chase Cover
  Instead of a standard crown and cap, a factory-built fireplace requires a chase cover. The chase structure is made of wood and sided to match the house. Sometimes it’s covered with stone or thin brick for a traditional chimney look. The chase cover can be updated to match the aesthetics of your home at any time. However, they’re only available with factory-built fireplaces.

If you are looking for a fireplace face-lift, it is possible with your factory-built fireplace! Call a Beach Stove fireplace expert today and start planning yours. Call 631-998-0780 or visit our store.

Custom Gas Fire Pits

A lot goes into a custom gas fire pit, and for good reason. When you decide to invest in your property by designing a custom gas fire pit, you don’t want to leave anything up to chance.

Factors to Consider While Customizing Your Gas Fire Pit

1. The Insert. 
   It’s important to choose the size of the insert before building the structure. If you build the structure first, it can be impossible to fit the insert you want. Retrofitting it will result in an ill-fitting insert and costly modifications. You may even be limited on what type of light controls you can use.
2. The Ignition. 
   There are two types of ignition to choose from. Spark ignition is like lighting your barbecue grill, except close to the ground, probably on your knees in front of guests. This ignition option also has a battery that has to be changed as well. Many homeowners opt for the easier electronic option. The electronic ignition operates with the flip of a switch like a light switch. This option is not legal in some areas, however.
3. Professional Quality.
   Buy only UL listed products from a reputable manufacturer or dealer. A dealer is able to help you with planning from start to finish, taking into account your particular needs and specifications. Buying online can be dangerous. You never know what you’re getting until it arrives and by then you might have spent a fortune on shipping. These products are usually inferior in quality and lack the professional installation and support you get from a dealer.
4. Timing. 
   Don’t wait until the last minute to start planning and constructing your custom fire pit. Start planning a few months in advance. If you want to use it for Memorial Day weekend, begin your plans around Easter. If you plan for your big fire pit unveiling at the annual Fourth of July barbecue, then start planning around Memorial Day. The goal is to get it planned and not to rush any part of it. Choosing the design and purchasing the materials is only the beginning. You also have to contact a contractor that is trained and certified to install the particular product.

You don’t want your outdoor space to be ruined by a sub-standard product!

When you envision your dream fire pit, you want something that fits your design, your needs, and your budget. Don’t break the bank by getting burned with an online purchase. Don’t settle for something less than whatever will make your dream space. With a custom gas fire pit you can choose a design and materials that matches your outdoor space as well as your home and yard.

You can get started with an expert at Beach Stove and Fireplace today. Call 631-998-0780 or request an appointment online.

Ethanol Vent Free Fireplaces

Ethanol fireplaces are a relatively new product in the hearth industry which produce a lively natural-looking flame. The Fire Ethanol Burner is the premier ethanol burner on the market right now. With the use of clean-burning fuels like SMARTFUEL™, these burners don’t release toxic exhaust so are rated for indoor use. When burned in a complete combustion, ethanol produces only CO2 and water vapor, so they don’t require expensive ventilation. In fact, this ventless system saves thousands in installation cost and makes an ethanol fireplace incredibly versatile. 

Why Choose Ethanol 

Choosing the newest, most promising product isn’t always recommended. It’s best to look at all aspects of the product. 

• Easy, Versatile Installation Ethanol vent free burners can be installed anywhere and are quite portable. Now even an apartment dweller can enjoy a fireplace in their home. 

Easy Access to Fuel 

• Clean burning ethanol fireplace fuel such as SMARTFUEL™ is readily available online and becoming more affordable every day. It comes in convenient quart or liter bottles for easy transport and storage. SMARTFUEL™ has a flame arrestor in the bottle opening to prevent a flash explosion, so it’s safe when refueling your fireplace. 

Easy to Clean 

• The ethanol vent free fireplace doesn’t release smoke, soot, residue, or odor. There isn’t any wood to haul, and no gas lines to maintain. A simple dusting around the fireplace area periodically is sufficient to keep it clean. 

Smart Technology 

• By adding an electronic computer “brain” to the fireplace it corrects the problems found in manual ethanol burners of the past. It adds superior safety monitoring to all aspects of the fireplace operation including fuel levels, spills, temperature, CO2 buildup, seismic motion, and more. 

Safe Technology 

• The “brain” assures an absolutely clean burn with no carbon dioxide or toxic exhaust. An aFire ethanol burner has a separate and sealed tank for safety. Its electronic fuel pump delivers the proper amount of ethanol into a combustion tray at the top of the burner. The flame stays at the very top of the burner, receiving the appropriate amount of oxygen, and remaining cool to the touch. This allows closer tolerances and less insulation. 

Easy Operation 

• The electronics in an aFire Remote controlled ethanol fireplace allows us to operate the ethanol fireplace thru the use of a simple to use, one button remote control. We even include a port that allows homeowners to easily integrate the ethanol fireplace to your home automation system. 

Are you ready to try an ethanol fireplace? A Beach Stove and Fireplace expert sells and installs ethanol vent free fireplaces everyday. It’s become a popular option due to the many benefits of safety, convenience, and versatility.

Buying Online vs. Buying From Your Local Dealer: Don’t Get Burned

Consumers today have made one thing clear. They want to save money and time by shopping online. However, what if buying online is not always the money saver you hope? You can find any product online. Buying even fireplace products that should be professionally installed. Having said that, it doesn’t mean you should buy them.

The Benefit of a Showroom

Even retailers that don’t have a massive showroom will still display their most popular items in their local office. By visiting a local dealer you can look through catalogs with a fireplace expert. These experts can answer your questions as you make decisions that will affect your home’s comfort, safety, and value. Beach Stove and Fireplace has fireplace experts on staff at all times to walk customers through the process from start to finish. While you are deciding whether or not to visit our location on Old Riverhead Road, you can look through our gallery.

Dangers of Buying Online

1. No Professional Installation. 
   Many homeowners won’t know how to find a National Fireplace Institute certified installer for their new product, and most dealers are not willing to install products not purchased in their store. When you buy from a dealer, you get the assurance that all parts arrive with the product, that it’s properly fitted to your space, and appropriate for your venting unit.
2. False Marketing. 
   When you buy online, you often see galleries of beautiful fireplaces and appliances. Most often these are professionally installed, and the homeowner doesn’t have a fireplace expert to make a similar installation. The homeowner is stuck with a product that is not what it seemed. Most online retailers will accept returns, but at the shipping expense of the consumer. This can cost an arm and a leg. When you purchase locally you can have your product installed. In fact, installed by the very people who installed those in the gallery photos. Our chimney sweeps are proud of their work, and are proud to repeat a job well done.
3. Higher Cost. 
   Buying online can save you money on a purchase. However, the risk of improper installation can have catastrophic costs including fire damage and hospitalization. Only a National Fireplace Institute certified installer will work closely with you. This ensures you’re getting the right product, the necessary venting components, and that it will be installed correctly. Too many times we’ve seen online shoppers left with a substandard fireplace product. One that isn’t working properly or couldn’t even be installed because of lack of necessary parts and knowledge.

Beach Stove and Fireplace is Certified!

We are proud to be certified by the National Fireplace Institute, Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), and a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. At Beach Stove, we take fire seriously! Our top priority is the safety and comfort of our customers in Westhampton Beach and beyond.

Come see our amazing selection of quality products at 381-8 Old Riverhead Road, or give us a call at 631-998-0780!

Fireplace Facelift: Transform Your Wood-Burning Fireplace

While you are stuck in your house for the winter, you may notice things you hadn’t before. Making mental notes of things to fix or replace during your annual spring cleaning? If so, you might linger on the old bass door or unsightly louvers on your factory built fireplace. Your wood-burning fireplace doesn’t have to be replaced. In addition, it doesn’t always have to look the same! You can update it quickly and easily with a ReFace Door.

The Stoll ReFace™

Stoll has perfected these custom metal and glass doors to renovate the look of the factory-built fireplace completely in one easy-to-install step. They are custom made for your unique fireplace. They’re engineered to cover your manufactured fireplace, sized for easy access to the fire, and to cover those ugly louvers completely. You can even custom design your own Stoll ReFace™ door from a wide variety of styles, colors, finishes, and options.

Easy Installation

Stoll’s neodymium “rare earth” magnetic mounting system allows the frame to attach firmly. Once the frame is measured and custom-designed it is easy to install in one step. No tools required! If you’re still not convinced, check out this installation video.

Added Benefits of a Stoll ReFace™ Installation

It’s common to see drafts that make using your manufactured fireplace bothersome. Not only do the ReFace doors eliminate the draft completely, but reduce up to 90 percent of the heat lost up the chimney. This is radically better than the efficiency of a traditional open fireplace. Plus, improves the efficiency of your own wood-burning pre-fab fireplace. When you improve efficiency you save money in fuel, repairs, and maintenance.

A more efficient fireplace means wood burns more completely. Also, less soot and creosote is left on

the chimney walls. Additionally, you’ll need less maintenance appointments. You’re also less likely to require repairs following your annual inspections.

Get Started Now

If you’re ready for a fireplace face-lift, you don’t have to even wait until warm weather to have this custom ReFace door installed. Start designing your new fireplace today with these 12 louver designs, 25 powder coat finishes, and countless combinations. Beach Stove and Fireplace is an authorized retailer, and we stand by this product 100 percent.

Call Beach Stove and Fireplace today. Let one of our fireplace experts walk you through the design process from start to finish. We won’t plan an installation until you are completely happy with your design. Call 631-998-0780 or request an appointment online!

How to Properly Season and Store Firewood

One of the perks of owning a wood insert, fireplace, or stove is that wood is always available, especially if you have your own property from which to cut from. Even if you can’t cut your own wood, you can still find a local source of wood.

Type of Wood

The type of wood you choose for firewood will affect the type of fire you have. Hard woods like oak, maple, and beech have a longer, more consistent burn. Softer woods like pine, fir, and spruce burn faster. Choosing softer woods means you will run through twice as much wood to achieve the same kind of fire. Once you find the best trees for the job, it’s time to cut and split the wood.

Properly Seasoned Firewood

A live tree can contain up to 100% moisture when it’s cut and needs to be about 20% before it’s burned. Whether you cut your own wood or buy it, it should be adequately dried, or seasoned before it’s burned. This process can take about about six months, though especially hard woods can take longer. The way your firewood is stored can also help it dry properly.

Tips for Buying Firewood

• Visit the supplier before you pay. Make sure the wood is properly seasoned and that the stack is tight and measures correctly for the price you’re paying. For instance, a cord of wood is 128 cubic feet. If you’re purchasing your firewood, you want to get all you pay for.
• Buy local firewood. It is best to not transport wood across county and state lines due to to invasive species that are affecting forests. Also, buying local allows you to go and see the supplier and the wood before making your purchase.
• Ask if the wood is “ready to burn.” Be specific with your questions before making your purchase. This is also a good reason to go to the source yourself and check the wood for signs it is seasoned.

Tips for Storing Firewood

• Cover your firewood. It isn’t a requirement, but it does help the process. You can build a roof over your stack or even throw a tarp over it. Some homeowners prefer a woodshed, but it would have to be quite large to hold all of the winter’s wood while it seasons.
• Stack it. When wood is stacked properly it should allow free air flow to assist the drying process. You can even stack it with the bark side up to avoid water penetration in wet climates.
• Stack it on dry land. You can place a strip of pallets, gravel, or sand on the ground to allow runoff while your wood is drying, instead of allowing water to pool around your stack of firewood.
• Check it. You can check your wood periodically to determine if it’s ready for burning. It should be grayed in color, crack at the ends, and pull away from the bark. When wood is dry it should also produce a hollow sound when hit together.

A Tip From Beach Stove and Fireplace

Whether buying or cutting, NEVER BURN WET WOOD. It’s bad for the fireplace and it’s bad for you. It’s our goal to keep you safe. To find out more about firewood selection, air quality, and chimney safety, contact Beach Stove & Fireplace today!

Start the New Year with a New Fireplace

There’s no better time than the New Year to give your living room a face-lift with a new fireplace. You can choose the fireplace of your dreams and have it professionally installed before you even begin Spring cleaning this year. In fact, by starting today, you can have your new fireplace professionally installed and operating in no time!

While the rest of Americans are focused on resolutions, you can focus on a sure thing—your home.

Start with Fuel

If you have an existing fireplace and chimney system, you may be looking to upgrade. You have a few options if your chimney is in good working condition. Wood, gas, and pellet appliances can work with your chimney. You can still have a fireplace without an operating chimney, however, when you choose gas.

Wood

Beach Stove and Fireplace offers wood fireplaces, stoves, and inserts that are as easy as installing into the existing fireplace. Because we offer only the best, we also offer a beautiful high efficiency wood fireplace that traps and uses the heat just like a wood stove, except you get the traditional beauty of a fireplace, without all the heat-loss.

Gas

We also offer gas fireplaces, stoves, inserts, and log sets. Gas is often chosen over wood for it’s efficiency. You can achieve a higher amount of heat using less fuel when you choose gas, but you lack the natural look of wood-burning. Gas log sets and fireplaces are designed to look traditional or contemporary. The vented gas log sets even have a realistic yellow flame, while vent-free gas log sets have a blue flame.

Gas is a great option if your chimney system is in disrepair because gas appliances can be vented elsewhere, through a wall for instance. Of course, there’s always the option of venting through an existing chimney, but this should only be done professionally, as the flue liner should be fitted for the new fireplace. Gas is extremely efficient but this means there is less heat to vent up the chimney. If the chimney is too large the exhaust won’t make it up without this heat to push it.

Pellet Products

Many homeowners opt for the pellet stove or insert because it is a “green” option. Pellets products are a direct result of the industry wishing to waste less wood product, so they began creating pellets from the sawdust and other waste from wood-milling. Pellet stoves are easy to install into an existing chimney system and they are easy to operate. Homeowners love the hopper feature on a pellet stove because the hopper regulates the pellet distribution into the fire, creating a consistent flame and temperature over a longer time.

The Fireplace Store

Beach Stove offers many products in versatile designs that can fit any home decor and fit into any space. You can begin this journey with a fireplace expert today by calling 631-998-0780 or requesting an appointment online.

Add a Contemporary Gas Fireplace to Your Home This Winter

Winter is the time to think about a fireplace whether you have one or not. Maybe you just acquired a home or are looking to remodel or upgrade aspects of your decor. Is a fireplace something you’ve long-wondered about but not sure about the cost, the work, or the safety of an old chimney? Maybe you don’t have a chimney. Don’t let that stop you from your dream fireplace this winter.

Gas is the Contemporary New Choice

The gas fireplace produces a beautiful flame, realistic logs, and incomparable convenience. They are ready when you are, with no fuss over splitting and hauling wood, no need for ash shovels and buckets (unless you want them as decoration), no need to sweep up wood pieces at the end of the day. Gas fireplaces are easy to light, and even run through a power outage. With so many benefits it’s hard to decide against a gas fireplace! Learn more about gas fireplaces from the experts that train the experts, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).

The Versatile Design

When you choose a gas fireplace you have freedom to choose from a variety of styles, sizes, and face options. You can even give your existing fireplace a facelift by choosing a gas fireplace.

You can choose a fireplace that works for you when your chimney doesn’t. Many gas fireplaces don’t require a chimney, but an alternate vent can do the trick. You can even choose a gas log set that doesn’t require a vent at all, although the flame is blue. If you’re looking for the realistic yellow flame you need a vented fireplace.

Choose a Professional With the Know-How

When you choose a certified chimney sweep company that is experienced with gas products you can count on their advice from start to finish. At Beach Stove and Fireplace we don’t just install any old appliance. Safety is our first priority, but it’s also our goal to bring your dream fireplace into your home. Gas fireplaces offer endless contemporary options that will fit virtually any space in your home.

You don’t have to settle for what’s easy, because Beach Stove and Fireplace sells products that feature easy and seamless professional installation. When you choose the professionals with the know-how, you can focus on what you want out of your fireplace without worrying about the work. Let us take care of that.

To prepare for your consultation with Beach Stove and Fireplace, you can look at our product brochure. You just might find the fireplace of your dreams!

Call Beach Stove and Fireplace at 631-998-0780 today and discuss your contemporary gas fireplace with an expert. You can also request an appointment online for your convenience.

Visit Our Showroom Before the Holidays

You can treat yourself to a new fireplace or a fireplace facelift this holiday season! Whether you want to take beautiful family photos in front of a new fireplace, or if the old one is damaged and needs replaced. Whatever the reason, a new fireplace can be a great addition to your living space. Visit our showroom now and you can have the fireplace of your dreams before the holidays.

Choosing a Fireplace Made Easy

There are many fireplaces, stoves, and appliances to choose from and Beach Stove and Fireplace recommends only the industry’s best products. By displaying our best products in our premiere fireplace and hearth showroom on Long Island, we are better able to fit our customers with the best products for their needs and decor.

In our showroom, you will find the best brands of wood-burning fireplaces, inserts, and stoves. Looking for more efficient options? Take a look at our selection of gas stoves, fireplaces, inserts, and log sets. For aesthetics and traditional feel of a wood flame, you can even check out our high-efficiency, wood-burning fireplace. Just as our products are organized for your convenience online, you will be able to find products easily in our showroom. In addition, if you have trouble, a fireplace expert is always on hand.

We Have Plenty of Staff Ready to Help You!

The brands you will find on our showroom floor, when you plan your visit, will help you envision your new fireplace in your home. We don’t just leave you on your own, though. You can find staff available throughout the showroom to answer questions about our products and displays. Our experts are knowledgeable and experienced about installations, maintenance, repairs, and more. Have a concern about maintaining a steady temperature? No problem! One of our experts may recommend a pellet stove or insert. Don’t have a functional chimney? No worries! One of our experts can fit you with an electric fireplace. Our staff may ask questions about room placement in order to best fit you with a product. For instance, a corner installation may be best suited for a stove.

The type of fireplace or appliance you choose is important. We want to match you with the best brand and product possible. So, when you plan your visit, bring your questions, color schemes, and dimensions. Also, bring anything else that you need to factor into your decision.

So You Chose Your Appliance, Now What?

Our showroom will give you a chance to view the flames and ease-of-use of different appliances and fuel types. However, there are more decisions to make, and we’re here to help. By visiting our showroom, you’re better able to choose from a wide range of hearth designs, glass doors, mantels, and more. To browse some hearth designs before your visit, check out the real-life installations our technicians have completed by clicking here. Most fireplace and hearth products are versatile, and can be designed in order to best suit your home. Bring your ideas. We want to hear them.

Get the Most Out of Your Visit

If you find something online that you want to see in action, just call ahead at (631) 998-0780 and let us know when you’ll be stopping by. One of our expert technicians will have it burning when you arrive. They will also be available to answer any questions you might have. While you’re there you can browse through our other products, or go ahead and schedule your installation! By visiting today you can have your dream fireplace in time for holiday pictures.

Click here for directions to our showroom. We look forward to seeing you!

Buy a New Mantel This Winter

Burning season has finally arrived and your fireplace is yet again the focal point of your living room. Maximize it’s beauty by having a new mantel installed this winter. Winter is filled with family gatherings, parties, and seasonal decorations. Your living room can be the perfect backdrop for family photos and entertaining with a new mantel from Beach Stove and Fireplace.

Start with the Professionals

Only a chimney and fireplace expert can properly install a fireplace mantel. Because of their experience and expertise in the field, they’re also the most appropriate consultant for aesthetics and functionality of your mantel. In fact, it’s not uncommon for local general contractors to consult our certified chimney sweeps during construction or renovation.

It is important to involve the professionals when making changes to your fireplace. This is so the fireplace and chimney work together to keep your family safe from fire or health hazards. When installing a new mantel, care should be taken to maintain the integrity of the chimney system. Our chimney sweeps at Beach Stove and Fireplace can offer the best advice considering materials, design, and installation of your new mantel.

What We Offer

We offer a full menu of services, including sales, installation, maintenance, and repair. The products we offer are the industry’s best, because we put our customer’s safety and comfort above all else. When you choose to work with us to design your fireplace mantel the sky is the limit!

Just a few of our designs include:

• Wood Mantel
• Cast Stone Mantel
• Rustic Style Mantel
• Polished Concrete Mantel

See photos of mantel designs here.

Choose a new mantel to give your existing fireplace a face-lift, or choose a new fireplace to go with it! Our certified chimney sweeps do it all.

What to Expect

When you make an appointment with Beach Stove and Fireplace you can expect professional service and expert advice every single time. As with all chimney and fireplace services, we require use of the fireplace to be discontinued at least 24 hours prior to your schedule appointment time. This is to ensure the safety of our technicians as well as your family and home. Once you have chosen your mantel design and material make-up, we will most likely have it completed in one appointment day and you will be back to regular use in no time.

When you’re choosing a new mantel don’t forget to look through our product designs (above) and portfolio of real work our technicians have completed in the Westhampton area.

It’s our goal to offer the best products and services at an affordable price so that you can enjoy your dream fireplace this winter. Family gatherings, family photos, and holiday traditions this winter will be your best yet with your dream fireplace. You can even decorate your mantel and chimney safely when you hire a certified chimney sweep for installation.

Contact Beach Stove and Fireplace today to buy your new mantel this winter!