CA1061208A - Andiron for supporting logs - Google Patents

Abstract

ANDIRON FOR SUPPORTING LOGS

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Andiron for supporting logs on a hearth in two primary fuel banks disposed in an inverted V-position to form triangular opening facing room to be heated. Andiron has horizontal baffle member supported above and between spaced positioning members by frame means. Baffle member and positioning members on each side of andiron are positioned so that primary fuel banks extend between edges of baffle member and positioning members so as to be inclined at par-ticular angles with banks almost touching at apex. Secondary fuel placed between lower ends of primary fuel banks when ignited cooperates with primary fuel to form a concentrated, triangular-sectioned combustion zone of essentially uniform temperature defined by burning faces of primary and secondary fuel. Primary fuel burns mostly on inner faces with neg-ligible burning of outer faces which reduces convection losses up the chimney. The inner faces of primary fuel banks and burning secondary fuel provides three radiating surfaces which tend to sustain combustion of oppositely facing radiant surfaces by absorption and re-radiation of radiant heat between the surfaces.

Description

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Bauder/4-CDA,USA.W

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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Field of the Invention :
The invention relates to an andiron for supporting ; 10 logs on a domestic fireplace hearth.

Prior Art It is well known that open domestic fireplaces using common basket type grates to support fuel are rela-tivel~ ineffective for heating a room. Common grates suspend the fuel a short distance above the hearth to increase air : .
flow through the fuel, but such grates remove heat by con-duction and set up convection currents which pass heat up the chimney. Sides of the grate also restrict radiation of heat into the room from high temperature portions of the ` fire.
, .: ' Some mechanical devices are available to improve heat transfer to the room, one example being a double walled fireplace that circulates air into the room from spaces between the double walls to improve heat transfer, but this type of device is expensive to construct and cannot be easily incorporated into an existing fireplace. Tubular -~: -grates to support fuel and to heat air passing through the tubes into the room can be fitted into an existing fireplace, but detract from the appearance of the fireplace and also ,.~ - . . . ..

cool the fire to the detriment of combustion. I-t is considered that a major factor contributing to the in-efficiency of common fireplaces is that most of the heat that is transfered to the room is transfered by radiation, but typically the portion transfered by radiation is only a small portion of the total heat from the fire. The remaining heat is removed from the fire by conduction and convection, most of which tends to escape up the chimney. Furthermore a portion of heat radiated from the fire is radiated to walls of the fireplace, which is then lost because convection currents cool the heated walls and pass up the chimney.
:.' It has already been recognized that if the pro-portion of radiant heat transfer is increased, the heat radiated to the room will increase, thus increasing effec-tiveness of the fire. Andirons or grates have been designed to hold fuel so that a greater portion of heat is trans-fered tc the room by radiation from the burning surfaces -thereof, but when using some of -these devices it has been found that sometimes it is difficult to maintain satis-factory combustion and effective radiation over extendedperiods of time , ,~ ~
SUMMARY OF THE INVE~TION
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The present invention provides an andiron with im-proved control of combustion of the fuel, which reduces heat 3 loss up the chimney by convection currents, and improves radiation of heat of combustion directly into the room to be heated. Furthermore a relatively large fire is not required ~ 3 ~

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12~)8 to produce a large radiant heat source, and commonly the fire is easy to light and requires little attention after initial lighting An andiron according to the invention supports on a hearth first and second primary fuel banks in an inverted V-position, and has a baffle member, posîtioning members and frame means. The baffle member is spaced at a ba~fle height above the hearth and has spaced, generally horizontally dis-posed first and second edges which define a baffle width of between about 25 percent and 50 percent of the baffle height.
First and second positioning members are positioned below the baffle member and are spaced laterally relative to each other `
and the baffle member. The frame means connect the ba~fle member to the positioning members so as to form a self-suppor~ing framework having at least one open end~ and in ~`-which the baffle member and first positioningmember on one ~ f.
8ide of the frame are positioned so that the first fuel bank extends between the first edge of the baffle member and the positioning member, and is inclined to the vertical at an an~le of incllnation of between 15 and 30 degree~q The second positioning member on the opposite side o~ the `~
fr~ne is positioned relative to the second edge of the baffle member so as to support the second fuel bank on the opposite side of the frame at a similar angle. When correctly supported on the andiron, the fuel banks form a generally inverted V.
In operation, secondary fuel is placed on the hearth between the inclined primary fuel banks so as to leave air passages between the primary and secondary fuel and the baffle member. The air passages and the space above the ;
baffle member between the inclined fuel banks form a trian-gular-sectioned combu~tion ~one. Combustion is established on , .' :

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361Z~3 opposite faces of the primary and secondary fuel and heat is radiated between the burning faces to maintain combustion and radiate heat to room. Most of burning takes place on inner faces of primary fuel with negligible burning on the outer faces, thus reducing convection lossesup the chimney.

A detailed disclosure following, related to draw-ings, describes a preferred embodiment of the invention i~
which is capable of expression in structure other thanthat particularl~ described and illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a fragmented perspective of an andiron according to the invention supporting four logs in a hearth to serve as primary fuel banks~
; Fig. 2 is a perspecti~Te of the andiron of Fig. 1, the logs being removed, Fig. 3 is a fragmented elevation of -the andiron of Fig. 1 showing logs supported thereon, .. .
Fig. 4 is a perspective of an alterna-tive andiron, .
Fig- 5 is a simplified top plan of an alternative baffle member.

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6~Z~8 DETAIL~D DISCLOSURE
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Fi~s. 1 throu~h 3 An andiron 10 according to the invention supports first and second pairs of logs 11 and 12 on opposite sides thereof. The andiron stands on a hearth 15 and is adjacent ',' a vertical fireplace rear w,all 16. Oppositely facing fire- '', ; 10 place side walls are not shown and these can be some dis~." .
tance from the andiron and logs. The andiron has a frame ~' - means 19 which includes a pair of similar open frame members ' 21 and 22, a baffle member 23 and first and second spaced ;~
positioning members 25 and 26. The frame member 21 is a ; 15 truncated, generally inverted V-shaped bar 2~ having an ~', upper portion 29, and similar leg portions 31 and 32 with "' lower ends 33 and 3~ respectively. The frame member 22 is similar and thus the two members 21 and 22 together form a frame means having a pair of similar open frame members which each include generally downwardly curved bars which ' -~
extend to the lower ends thereof. The lower ends of the two frame members are disposed within a horizontal plane and '~ ' are adapted to contact the hearth 15 for supporti~lg the an- , , diron thereon. ,' ~: 25 :
The baffle member 23 a generally horizontally disposed, rectangular plate which extends between upper por-tions of the frame members and has spaced first and second horizontal edges 37 and 3~ which support the log pairs '' thereon~ The first and second positioning members 25 and -` 26 extend between leg portions of the f'rame members and are `,3 positioned below the baffle member. The members 25 and 26 , . .
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are spaced laterally relative to each other and the ba~fle member so that the first posi-tioning member on one side of the frame is positioned so that the log pair 11 extends between and is supported on the first edge 37 of the baffle member and the positioning member and is inclined to the vertical at an angle of inclination 41, Fig. 3 only, which is between 15 and 30 degrees. The second positioning member 26 on the opposite side of the andiron is positioned rela-tive to the second edge 3~ of the baffle member so as to support the second log pair on the opposite side of the frame at a similar angle 42. Thus when the logs are correctly supported on the andiron the logs form a generally inverted V which, together with the hearth 15, defines a triangular shaped combustion zone 44 therebetween.
The positioning member 25 has upwardly and out-wardly turned end port.ions 47 and 4~ secured to the frame members so that the positioning memberextendsdownwardly and inwardly from the frame member. This forms a cradle in which the pair of logs 11 is supported and the end por-tions restrict lateral movement of the logs supported there-on. As best seen in Fig. 3, when supported on the respec-tive edge of the baffle member and the respective positioning member, the log pairs are inclined so as to be parallel to the adjacent leg por-tions which similarly res-trict lateral movement of the logs. The positioning member 26 has ` similar end portions and thus it can be seen that the end portions of the positioning members serve as means adjacent ends of the positioning members to restrict lateral move-ment of the logs supported on the positioning members.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, two pairs of logs 11 ,j ., .

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and 12 in an inverted V-position serve as first and second primary fuel banks. ~ig. 1, shows two log pairs of the same size and shape, such as common round, uniform artificial logs made from compressed wood waste. Other fuel can be substituted, for example several small logs of different sizes may be used to fill the spaces on each side of -the i andiron to form two primary fuel banks that touch or nearly touch at the apex and are inclined at the desired angle.
The material may also be newspapers rolled into "logs" of up to five inches in diameter. Whatever material forms the primary fuel banks, there should be no large gaps in either side so that inner faces 49 and 50 of the first and $
second fuel banks present essentially unbroken surfaces which when burning form radiant faces. Secondary fuel 51 is placed on the hearth 15 between the primary fuel so as to form air spaces 53, 54 and 55 within a lower portion of the combustion zone 44 below the baffle member. An air space ;
57 above the baffle member and between upper ends of the primary fuel banks is adjacent an apex 56 of the fuel banks, ie where upper inner corners of -the fuel banks touch or al- ~-most touch each other. ~ ~

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The volume and shape of the secondary fuel is chosen so that the air spaces 53 and 54 are left between .:
the primary and secondary fuel and the air space 55 is lef-t between the secondary fuel and the baffle memberO
These three spaces and the space 57 above the baffle plate between the primary fuel banks form the triangular shaped combustion zone 44. Varying the volume of secondary fuel varies the characteristics of combustion and provides a means of compensating for the type of fuel used, its moisture con- ;;~
tent and the fireplace draw. A little experimen-tation may :: :

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be necessary to ascertain the best volume of secondary fuel which, oncecorrectly selected, may require occasional re-plenishment during the combustion of the primary fuel. Figs.
1 and 3 show secondary fuel of short blocks of the logs made from compressed wood waste, but the secondary fuel can be logs that are approximately the length of the baffle plate - or even~lumps of coal.

OPERATION

In operation, when using logs made from compressed wood waste the two primary fuel banks are established by settin,g up preferrably two logs on each side of the andiron so that the logs are supported on the hearth 15, the first and second edges of the baffle member and the first and second positioning members. Secondary fuel is '-placed on the hearth under the baffle member and between 20 the primary fuel banks.- Kindling and paper are placed in ;~
the combustion zone and lit and~ usually after a few minutes, combustion of the primary and secondary fuel commences and the convection currents thus set up cause the combustion air to flow up the inner faces of the primary fuel banks

2~ to escape adjacent the apex. Because the inclination of the ~uel produces more than adequate draft the baffle member reduces the flow of air through the combustion zone and in-creases turbulence in the flow. This controls air flow and turbulence to an amount which causes almost all the o~ygen to be completely removed from the combustion gases and reduces the flow of gases up the chimney.

At the proper angle of inclination of the primary . ~ "

-` ~C16~208 fuel, burning occurs only on the inner faces 49 and 50 of ;~
the primary fuel banks adjacent the andironj and the outer faces of the primary fuel banks remain rela-tively cool so ;~
that radiation to the fireplace and convection currents flowing over the outer faces of the fuel banks are relati~e-ly insignificant. Much of the radiant heat generated on one burning inner face of one primary fuel bank is radiated to the opposite burning inner face of the primary fuel bank, the secondary fuel, the baffle member or the rear ;~
wall of the fireplace so that a high temperature, relatively stable and uniform fire is maintained throughout the combus~
- tion zone. Thus there is absorption of radiant heat from an opposite burning face, which heat is re-radiated back into the combustion zone so as to increase temperature within the combustion zone. Since only a little heat es-capes laterally through the primary fuel banks, the tem-perature of the burning surfaces must rise and heat escapes from the combustion zone only by radiation directly into the room through the opening at the front. It is a well known principle of physics that the radiant heat depends on the fourth power of the temperature, and if heat cannot otherwise escape, the temperature will rise until the heat is transferred into the room by radiation. Thus in effect the primary fuel banks serve also as thermal insulators to reduce heat losses by conduction and convection which in-evitably results in a higher transfer of heat by radiation. -~hen operating properly, from the room the fire within the combustion zone appears as a fairly uniform red triangular area defined partially by unburnt outer surf~ es of the primary fuel banks.
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Because the primary fuel burns from one side only9 .

-- 10 _ .;Z08 it tends to produce a long-lasting fire which burns uni-formly with little attention. As the fuel burns, the inner faces ~9 and 50 of the primary fuel banks are burned away gradually and weight of the remaining portions of the primary fuel tends to move the primary fuel banks in to-wards the andiron to maintain shape of the air spaces 53,5~9 55 and 57 as aforesaid. Ash falls from the inclined burning faces t~o expose fresh radiant heat sources, thus reducing a tendency of the ash to choke the fire by restric-ting air flow, similarly to what happened in time with someprior art gratesO It has been found that four logs made from compressed wood waste have burned for more than four hours without attention, and newspapers rolled into four ~ -imitation logs of about 5 inches in diameter can burn for about three hours~ and when burned are reduced to a fine white ash.

DIMENSIONAL GONSIDERATIONS

To achieve the effect outlined previously, there are limits to the angles of inclination of the primary fuel banks, and limits to baffle member height and length ^
in proportion to fuel length. These limits determine many of the dimensions of the andiron. The angle of inclination of the primary fuel banks is preferably between about 20 and 25 degrees to the vertical, but some fuels burn satis-factory when inclined to the vertical a-t angles of between 15 and 30 degrees. If the angle of inclination is in excess of about 30 degrees, ie less s-teeply inclined, the combus-tion gases tend to flow around edges of the primary fuel , . .

106~ 8 banks, or through gaps between logs in each fuel bank. This undesirable gas flow would set up convection currents on the outside of the primary fuel banks, radiating heat to the fireplace, removing heat from the combustion zone and decreasing the radiant heat output. If the angle of in-clination of the primary fuel is much less than about 15 degrees to the ~ertical, ie more steeply inclined, the logs may tip outwards, thus destroying the effectiveness of the fire, and also the space for secondary fuel is reduced and the secondary fuel may be consumed too quickly.

The baffle member is spaced above the hearth at a height 46 of between 60% and 70~0 of the fuel length9 but in some cases the andiron performs satisfactorily if the baffle 15 ~ member is positioned at a height of about 55% to 75~0 of the fuel length. If the baffle member is positioned too high above the hearth, draft restriction is reduced because strong convection currents can be created in the combustion zone below the baffle and excess air will flow into the com-20 bustion zone. If the baffle member is positioned too close ;y to the hearth~ the space for secondary fuel is reduced and the relatively uniform combustion of the primary fuel banks is not achieved.

The baffle member has a preferred length of be-tween 75% and ~0~0 of the fuel length~ but -this can be varied under conditions as particularized below. If the baffle member is too short in relation to the fuel length, the volume of the combustion zone is reduced in relation to the `

3 are.L of radiation and heat radiated to the room can be such that the combustion zone is maintained below the desired :
combustion ternperature. If this were the case~ the fire .
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. . ~ , . . : , -" lO~i~Z~8 would in effect cool itself by radiating excessively and thus would never attain the required temperature for good combustlon~ If the baffle member is too long in relation to the length of the fuel, heat from the rear of the combustion zone adjacent the fireplace wall cannot be radiated effec-tively into the room. In some fireplaces that are open on two opposite sides, eg, a fireplace positioned away from walls of a room, it may be desirable to have radiation from both ends of the andiron, and in this case -the length of the baffle member could be increased to greater than the fuel length and the desired interaction could be maintained~
Wllen the primary fuel length, angle of inclination of the primary fuel and the baffle member height and length are chosen, other dimensions of the andiron are determined. ~;
~5 The baffle member has a width 52 defined by the edges 37 and 38 and the positloning members are positioned so that ~-the desi~ed angle of inclination is achieved and the pri~
mary uel banks nearly touch at the apex of the triangle. i;~
For a fu~l length of 12 inches, typical dimensions could be: ~is angle o~ inclination of primary fuel banks to vertical - 23 degrees `
height of baffle member - ~ inches width of baffle member - 2.75 inches length of baffle member - 10 inches horizontal spacing between positioning members - 6 inches An alternative approach is to determine the angle of the primary fuel banks by referring to the baffle width 52 in rela~ion to baffLe height 46. Assuming upper ends of the logs on one side of the mber 23 touch or almost touch upper ends of logs on the opposite side) for a mean angle of in-clination 41, 42 of the logs of about 23 degrees, and a , mean baffle member height 52 of about 65 percent of the fuel length, the width 46 would be between abou~ 25 percent and 50 percent o~ the baf~le height 52. Thick-ness of the baf~le member is determined primarily by fire resistance requirements rather than strength re-quirements and is usually less than 25 percent of the width 52. , .~:
ALTERNATIVES AND EQUIVALENTS

If the rear wall 16 of the fireplace is curved3 , ' or is unsatisfactory for other reasons as a radiating sur~
15 face to close the far end of the andiron, a rear,plabe ~' 59 extending between leg portions and upper portions of the `', frame rnember 22 can be fitted. The plate 59 is shown in ; ;
broken outline in Fig. 2 and closes the far end of the andiron and provides a surface to radiate heat into the room. ' ,~
In any event, at least one end of the frame means 19 should be open to radiate heat into the room. ~' ,......

The andiron 10 as previously described is simple -to make and uses only one pair of positioning members ~,1;~,"~, , extending between leg portions of the frame members. If desired1 two or more pairs of positioning members can be ",~
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fitted but this has not been found necessary. Alternative ,~.
means of supporting logs at the desired angle and locating the logs laterally are envisaged as in Figs. ~ and 5.

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An alternative andiron 60 is shown and this differs from the andiron 10 of Fig. 1-3 by substituting alternatively shaped frame means and positioning members. The andiron `
60 has a frame means 61 including a pair of similar frame members 62 and 63~disposed within spaced parallel vertical planes. The frame member 62 is a generally inverted u-shaped bar 6~ having spaced leg portions 65 and 66, an upper portion 67 and corner portions 6~ and 69. First and second positioning members 71 and 72 are straight rods and extend be1,ween the leg portions of the frame member$9 and a baffle member 7~ extends between the upper portions of the frame members. The baffle member has generally ``
lS horizontally disposed first and second edges 75 and 76 which, in combination with the positioning members, support the logs at similarly inclined angles as shown for the andiroh ` 10 in Fig. 1.
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The corner portion 69 and an opposite corner portion 77 of the member 63 extend upwardly and outwardly from a plane 7~, shown in broken outline7 which connects the adjacent edge 76 of the baffle member and the adjacent positioning member 72. Logs supported on the members 72 and 7~ lie generally parallel to the plane 7~ and thus are positioned between the opposed corner portions 69 and 77 ` which restrict lateral movement of the logs supported on and extending between the particular edge of the baffle member and positioning member. The corner portions on the opposite side of -the andiron similarly cooperate with logs positioned therebetween. Thus the corner portions are equi-valent to the turned up ends of the positioning members 25 and ` 26 of Fig. 1 and serve as means adjacent ends of the position--ing members to restrict lateral movement of the lgs ported on the positioning members.
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6~2~8 Other frame means can be devised to cooperate with the baffle member and positioning members to provi~e the particular relative positions necessary to :.
. support the primary fuel banks at the required angle, and to form a self-supporting framework, having at least one open end.

Fi~. 5 The baffle members 23 and 74 of Figs~ l and 4 are shown as rectangular plates with straight parallel edges and the frame support memberis restrict lateral movement .
of the logs. For most ~uels, spaces between the logs and edges of the baffle members are sufficient to re-strict air flow through the andirron and pas~ the ba~1e member without completely eliminating this air flow. I the fuel has flat faces resting against the - straigh~ edges of the baffle member~ air flow restric- .
j tion past the baffle member would be increased and thus additional clearance openings in the baffle member or `
along edges of the baffle member would likely be re-quired. If the andiron were to be used only for the burning of logs made from compressed wood waste or rolled newspaper logs, where the nurnber, size and shape of the logs is fairly closely controlled, it might be an advantage to scallop or otherwise change the edges of the baffle member to be generally complementary to the fuel to be used. This could improve draft restriction and one example - .
is to be described.
.'1 - An alternative baffle member ~O is for use with two similar spaced frame means and positioning members in accor-dance with Figs. l or 4 or equi~alents thereof. The member ..
O has a pair of spaced similar scalloped edges ~2 and ~3 -.
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~ ~)6~ZO!8 having cut-outs ~4 which are complementary to cylindrical logs to be retained therein. This structure provides lateral restriction of upper ends o~ the logs and improves draft control~

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Claims (10)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An andiron for supporting on a hearth first and second primary fuel banks in an inverted V-position, the andiron having:

(a) a baffle member spaced at a baffle height above the hearth and having spaced generally horizon tally disposed first and second edges which define a baffle width of between about 25% and 50% of the baffle height, (b) spaced first and second positioning members positioned below the baffle member and spaced laterally relative to each other and the baffle member, (c) frame means connecting the baffle member to the positioning members so as to form a self-supporting framework having at least one open end, and in which the baffle member and the first positioning member on one side of the frame are positioned so that the first fuel bank extends between the first edge of the baffle member and the positioning member and is in-clined to the vertical at an angle of inclina-tion, and the second positioning member on the opposite side of the frame is positioned rela-tive to the second edge of the baffle member so as to support the second fuel bank on the oppo-site side of the frame at a similar angle of inclination, so that when correctly supported on the andiron, the fuel banks form a generally inverted V inclined at the angle of inclination.

2. An andiron as claimed in Claim 1 further including:

(a) means adjacent ends of the positioning members to restrict lateral movement of fuel supported on the positioning members.

3. An andiron as claimed in Claim 1 in which:

(a) the frame means has a pair of spaced open frame members, each frame member having leg portions and an upper portion, (b) the positioning members extend between the leg portions of the frame members, (c) the baffle member extends between the upper portions of the frame members, (d) the angle of inclination of the fuel banks is between 15 and 30 degrees.

4. An andiron as claimed in Claim 1 in which:

(a) the positioning members and the baffle member are disposed generally horizontally, (b) the angle of inclination of the fuel banks is between 15 and 30 degrees.

5. An andiron as claimed in Claim 1 in which:

(a) the frame means has a pair of similar open frame members which include generally down-wardly curved bars which extend to lower ends thereof disposed within a horizontal plane and adapted to contact the hearth for supporting the andiron thereon, (b) the angle of inclination of the fuel banks is between 15 and 30 degrees.

6. An andiron as claimed in Claim 5 in which:

(a) each frame member is a truncated, generally in-verted V-shaped bar, the frame members being dis-posed within spaced parallel vertical planes, (b) the positioning members have upwardly turned end portions to restrict lateral movement of fuel supported on the positioning members, the end portions being secured to the leg portions of the frame members so that the positioning members extend downwardly and inwardly from the frame members.

7. An andiron as claimed in Claim 5 in which:

(a) each frame member is generally inverted U-shaped bar having opposed corner portions adjacent upper portions thereof, the corner portions extending upwardly and outwardly from a plane connecting an adjacent edge of the baffle member and the adjacent positioning member, the frame members being disposed within spaced parallel vertical planes, (b) the positioning members are straight rods extending between the leg portions of the frame members, so as to restrict lateral movement of logs supported on and extending between the particular edge and positioning member.

8. An andiron as claimed in Claim 1 in which:

(a) the angle of inclination of the fuel supported by the andiron is between 20 and 25 degrees to the vertical.

9. An andiron as claimed in Claim 1 in which:

(a) the baffle member is positioned above the hearth at a height of between 55 and 75 percent of maximum length of logs supported on the andiron.

10. An andiron as claimed in Claim 7 in which the andiron can support two pairs of equally inclined logs thereon and in which:

(a) the logs are supported at an angle of inclination of between 20 and 25 degrees to the vertical, (b) the baffle member is positioned about 8 inches above the hearth and has a length of about 10 inches and a width of about 2.75 inches, so that upper ends of the logs on opposite sides of the andiron are adjacent each other so as to form the inverted V.