Wrought Iron Fireplace

Growing up in Michigan, there was nothing cozier than a warm fire on a Winter's night. We had a classic wrought iron fireplace in the family room, and we would all gather around and sing songs. I might sound cliché, but if you have seen the fire glowing through the wrought iron fireplace screen, heard the whistle of the flames going up the chimney, and daydreamed as the snow drifted by outside, you know exactly what it is like. There's nothing like a fireplace hearth, particularly if you live somewhere cold.

There haven't been wrought iron fireplaces in any of the houses that I have lived in since I moved out to California. Although you don't really need a cast iron fireplace out here – it is never that cold, and during most of the year,  you can have bonfires on the beach – nevertheless, I miss it. Beach bonfires are great, but there is nothing like a fire on a cold night at home. Although you might not need the wrought iron fireplace for the actual purpose of keeping yourself warm, Nonetheless, it does something powerful to the psyche. I swear that when I look at the wrought iron fireplace, I can remember thousands of years of dependence on fire. The flames are so comforting. They mean safety and warmth, and there is nothing more important if you live in a cold climate.

Wherever I settle, I am sure that I will build a wrought iron fireplace in the house. I know that wrought iron fireplaces can be expensive to install, but I think it will be worth it. I have already started looking into it, and it seems affordable if I am willing to make it a priority. My wife does not agree at all. She thinks that buying a wrought iron fireplace is a waste. In her opinion, they only increase the danger to the house while providing no benefits.

She has a point. If wrought iron fireplaces are not adequately maintained, they do provide an increased risk of an out-of-control fire. The build up in the chimney can catch fire, igniting the roof. Although this happens rarely, it does happen.  The danger is not so much in the wrought iron fireplace, but in the chimney. If you don't clean it often enough, you can be in for a nasty surprise next time you light a fire up.