Another of the large projects that are on my list of projects to complete is a design for a working fireplace. I have helped many people build fireplaces for cooking — and if you look at my forum devoted to hearth cooking you will find the answer to many basic questions. Roughly, any fireplace can be used for cooking. The best, though, are fireplaces that are comparatively shallow, and that have a deep hearth extension. In many states the only fireplace you are allowed to build without glass doors is a Rumford fireplace. Rumfords make good cooking fireplaces — although I recommend that if you build a Rumford to make the walls of the firebox perpendicular, or nearly so, to the back wall, rather than at the traditional Rumford angle.

Buckley Rumford Co.: Port Townsend, Washington

The Buckley Rumford web site provides detailed information, including primary source 18th century documents, about the energy-efficient Rumford fireplace. Rumford fireplaces date from the late 18th century. The Rumford design remains revolutionary. If you are planning to build a fireplace be sure to evaluate the Rumford. This site includes primary source material.