Buying guide
Cast iron is the traditional material of the British fireplace for good reason. It takes fine detail, holds and radiates heat, and lasts for generations. Carron's range covers both ways of using it: a complete combination fireplace or an insert inside a surround.
Why cast iron?
- Detail. Molten iron fills every curve of the mould, so cast iron carries crisp floral, geometric and classical designs.
- Heat. Cast iron absorbs heat from the fire and gives it back slowly into the room.
- Durability. Looked after, it lasts for decades. Carron gives its cast iron fireplaces a 3 year guarantee, with 1 year on the ashpan and firebrick.
- Authenticity. It is what most period houses had originally.
Insert or combination?
| Combination fireplace | Cast iron insert | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Surround and insert in one casting | Fire chamber and front only |
| Needs a surround? | No | Yes, bought separately |
| Sizes in our range | 710mm to 1260mm wide, 140mm to 260mm deep | 1020mm square, 220mm to 280mm deep |
| Typical room | Bedrooms, snugs, smaller living rooms | Living and dining rooms |
| Carron models | Crocus, Victorian Small, Tulip, Tweed, Valentine, Bella, Victorian Large, Verona | London Plate, Prince, Scotia, Royal |
For a side by side size table, read our guide to choosing a cast iron period fireplace.
Our picks
For a bedroom, the Crocus or Victorian Small. For a living room in one piece, the Tweed. For a full size fireplace with a surround, the London Plate insert in black or full polish.
Measuring for a cast iron fireplace
- Chimney breast width. Allow a margin either side of the fireplace or surround.
- Builder's opening. Measure width, height and depth behind any existing fireplace. Inserts are 220mm to 280mm deep, so they need room behind the surround.
- Surround aperture. For an insert, the surround's opening must suit the 1020mm square insert. Our solid oak and pine Carron surrounds mostly have a 910mm square opening.
- Height. Check against windows, sockets and picture rails. Combinations run from 940mm to 1270mm high.
- Weight. From 39kg to 94.5kg. Plan how to carry it in and fix it.
Black or full polish?
Most Carron cast iron fireplaces are offered in two finishes. Black is the traditional finish: a dark, slightly soft sheen that lets tiles and the fire itself take the attention, and suits almost any room. Full polish is bare cast iron polished by hand to a bright, silvery finish that picks up the light of the fire and shows off every detail of the casting. It suits a grander room or a design with fine relief work. A few models, including the Prince, Scotia and Verona, are listed in black only.
Working or decorative?
A cast iron fireplace can be a working open fire or a purely decorative feature. If you will light it, everything in the installation section below applies: a sound chimney, a proper hearth, ventilation and a CO alarm. If it is for show, fix it securely, cap and ventilate the chimney to keep out damp and draughts, and fill the grate with candles or a log display. Many people choose decorative combination fireplaces for bedrooms and a working fireplace downstairs.
Looking after cast iron
Cast iron needs little care. Brush off dust and soot when the fireplace is cold. Black finishes can be refreshed with a grate polish or blacking made for cast iron; full polish finishes can be kept bright with a suitable metal polish and a soft cloth. Keep the fireplace dry: if the chimney is not in use, cap it and leave ventilation so damp does not cause rust. Replace a cracked fireback or worn ash pan as needed; Carron ash pans are made for specific models.
Installation and fuel
Carron's cast iron fireplaces are designed for solid fuel. They need a working chimney, a constructional hearth at least 125mm thick (projecting 500mm in front of the recess and 150mm each side), permanent ventilation of at least half the throat area and a carbon monoxide alarm in the room. A HETAS registered installer can fit and certify the installation. In a smoke control area, an open fire can only burn authorised smokeless fuel. Some designs have a matching Carron gas fire, fitted by a Gas Safe engineer. Finish the floor with a granite hearth.
Common questions
What is the difference between a cast iron insert and a combination fireplace?
An insert is the fire chamber and front, fitted inside a separate surround. A combination fireplace has surround and insert cast in one piece.
How big are Carron's cast iron inserts?
1020mm square, and 220mm to 280mm deep depending on the model.
Do cast iron fireplaces need a hearth?
Yes. An open fire needs a constructional hearth at least 125mm thick, projecting 500mm in front of the recess and 150mm beyond each side.
Can I burn wood in a cast iron fireplace?
Outside smoke control areas, yes, using dry wood. In a smoke control area an open fire can only burn authorised smokeless fuel.
How do I clean a cast iron fireplace?
Brush it when cold and use a grate polish or metal polish made for cast iron. Keep the chimney ventilated to avoid damp and rust.
What guarantee does Carron give?
Carron gives its cast iron fireplaces a 3 year guarantee, with 1 year on the ashpan and firebrick.
Can I fit a gas fire in a cast iron fireplace?
Some designs have a matching Carron gas fire, fitted by a Gas Safe engineer to a suitable flue.
Which finish should I choose?
Black for a traditional look; full polish for a bright metal finish. Some models are black only.
Can a cast iron fireplace be purely decorative?
Yes. Fix it securely and cap and ventilate the chimney if it will not be used.
Cast iron, made to last
Compare sizes, depths and openings on each Carron listing.