Removing Baxi open fireplace with back boiler

[Dave W]

Have a wonderful fire surround in the new property, that I dearly wish to keep.

However I want to remove the inset Baxi open fire, to fit a multi fuel burner. Simple enough for a standard fireplace, but this one has a back boiler. Is it going to be possible to remove with fire surround in place ? If so, what are the steps for removal please

Fire hasn't been used for 10 years plus, if that makes a difference

Outside wall of fire showing air vent that come under fireplace and door for cleaning chimney I assume

Cheers

Dave

 

[plasticpigeon]

I'm afraid I don't think that will be possible. I took out a back boiler, and it involves removing the pipes to the heat exchanger and the back boiler flue will be well sealed to the chimney, whether it has a liner or not, so access to the sides of the boiler will be needed. I am pretty certain that the process of installation would have been to fit the back boiler and then fix the surround on top. Removal will almost certainly need removal of the surround. hopefully it will be possible to remove without damage.

 

[LadyArowana]

Salvage places are always selling off fire surrounds, even huge stone ones, so it must be possible to remove them. Might damage the plaster but I would imagine that's a relatively easy fix. Then you can tackle the insert without worrying and when everything is fixed put the surround back.

 

[Flyfisher]

There is a lot of installation info for Baxi fires on the web, which should help you understand what's behind the fireplace itself and how it's all assembled and installed. Here's an example: http://www.percydoughty.com/warp_sites/percydoughty.g6/files/Burnall%20Installation%20Instructions.pdf

As the fire has not been used for many years, I assume there is some other method for heating water, in which case the back boiler pipes may have been disconnect from your water system. If so, it may be possible to simply cut them and leave them in place to minimise disruption. But if you are thinking of a boiler stove and wish to reuse the pipe work then I would expect the fireplace would definitely need to be removed for access.

Even so, I suspect PP is correct about having to remove the fireplace. This looks like one of those awkward situations where attempting to minimise disruption makes the job extremely difficult, if not impossible, and biting the bullet may be necessary. It might seem like a lot of work to remove the fireplace, but it will make the stove installation so much easier and quicker.

 

[Dave W]

Bugger :lol:

Thanks for link flyfisher . Just had a chat with neighbour who had similar Baxi setup , where they disconnected water feed, but left boiler in situ with pipes open and then fitted multi fuel burner. Will have to pop round to see how it all fitted together.

 

[Dave W]

Well have swept chimney, lit first fire and after a while I could feel hot water rising from the pipes. Amazingly the water ran clear for hot taps. Not what I was expecting after 10 years of no use.

From link shared above I can't establish if boiler is above or behind fire recess ? I think I will be able to get away with leaving boiler in place as long as I leave it vented via pipes.

 

[Lime]

I think that you will find that the back boiler is the metal part marked BAXI in the fireplace.
Heat from the fire can be absorbed by it both front and back, the back being able to be shut off to reduce the heat to the hot water.

 

[Dave W]

I think that you will find that the back boiler is the metal part marked BAXI in the fireplace.
Heat from the fire can be absorbed by it both front and back, the back being able to be shut off to reduce the heat to the hot water.

Thanks.

 

[jackpoint]

Just noticed that we have the same Baxi except it doesn't have the back burner. Amazing fire - flipping thing is like a blast furnace at full chat :twisted:
Now I'm wondering if ours had a back boiler in the dim and distant....hmmmm

 

[Dave W]

So mine has a gap at back, bottom of fire to draw flames up behind to heat the tank, with a sliding door above fire that can redirect draw of chimney to boiler or normal fire. Only sussed that properly today and the fire was roaring up the back. Now have brown hot water, so it seems the last 10 years of non use, has had some corrosion

Putting back boilers aside, wondering how heat efficient these fire are vs say a multi fuel burner ? I know an open fire that draws air from the house are only about 25% efficient, but this fire draws the air from outside .

 

[jackpoint]

Sadly on close inspection ours is just a fire.
I can tell you that although the little baxi burns like crazy it doesn't put it anywhere near as much heat as our stove.