WESTERN PICNIC FIREPLACE 



J.HE fundamental design for this informal 

 fireplace has been developed by the National 

 Park Service and modified in minor detail for 

 use in this volume. This fireplace is not a 

 conspicuous unit, and is most appropriate to 

 the natural forest surroundings where the fire 

 hazard is not abnormally high. 



The sides are splayed, as shown in the draw- 

 ing, and the top of the firebox is covered with 

 a sohd plate. For picnic use only, the top might 

 be covered with a removable grate, instead of 

 a fixed plate. It is the author's observation that 

 most recreationists prefer a solid plate, even 

 for picnic use. 



The small opening between the back of the 

 plate and the fire-clay brick lining provides an 

 opening which serves as a flue, especially with 

 the back of the fireplace tilted slightly forward. 

 (See fig. 3.) The firebox is lined with fire-clay 

 brick on the sides and bottom. That portion of 

 the bottom of the firebox extending in front of 

 the top plate and on which little or no fire will 

 exist, may be paved with stone. 



DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION 



This fireplace may be constructed vfiih a 

 slightly raised hearth, as shown in hgure 3, or 

 the hearth may be practically level with the 

 surface of the surrounding ground. 



The firebox is larger than the average size. 

 The hearth is raised above the surrounding 

 ground level, and slopes towards the front. 



The solid plate is securely attached, as shown 

 in figure 5, and the height of the firebox is 

 approximately 9 inches. 



VARIATIONS IN DESIGN 



If this unit were used as a fireplace, it would 

 seem practical to have a movable plate or a 

 hinged plate, in which case the plate could be 

 removed, or raised and leaned against the 

 back of the fireplace in order to create a 

 warming fire. In order to create a better draft 

 a procedure is sometimes adopted whereby the 

 back edge of the cast-iron top is turned up at an 

 angle as shown in plate IX, although not quite 

 as pronounced as in plate IX. 



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