Recall Info - DIMPLEX electric fireplace remote controls

DIMPLEX North America issued a voluntary recall yesterday of approximately 700,000 remote control kits used on their electric fireplace models manufactured between January, 1998 and December, 2008. This recall includes remotes replaced under warranty and are used with models manufactured under various brand names including Dimplex, Symphony, Electraflame, Optiflame, Electralog and Charmglow and includes electric fireplaces, inserts and freestanding stoves.

The recall includes both the hand-held remote control and the wall unit that plugs into the electrical outlet that communicates with the remote.

Incidents/Injuries: Dimplex has received about 5,000 reports of the plug-in wall units overheating including 19 reports of damage beyond the remote control and one report of a house fire in Columbus, Ohio that resulted in considerable property damage.

Consumers should immediately stop using these devices; unplug the wall unit receiver, unplug the power cord from the receiver and plug the appliance's power cord directly into the outlet and operate the unit manually until they receive a replacement.

For questions regarding the recall, contact Dimplex toll-free at 1-800-638-2772. You may also visit their website for instructions on obtaining a free replacement remote control kit:
http://www.recall.dimplex.com/

Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Trade Show

We've just returned from our annual fireplace products trade show, having seen the newest products unveiled by the manufacturers who attended.

Both exhibitors and attendance was down again this year due to continuing struggles in this economy. Although our business does not concentrate on new construction, a vast majority of fireplace manufacturers do, so weakness in new home starts continues to weaken our industry in general. Sluggish sales mean there were fewer exhibitors and fewer new products unveiled than we've been accustomed to seeing at our trade show.

We noticed that gas fireplace styles are evolving into contemporary European designs that incorporate stones, glass beds and even simple ribbon styles with no media in the fireplace. Americans who've craved this look now for several years will soon have many more choices within this design category.

We were glad to see some new products within the categories of products on which we focus, including electric and gas fireplace models. We've found a manufacturer of very tiny electric stoves and inserts, our most exciting discovery at the show. We're also considering some very specialized outdoor cooking appliances including a very small gas grill, a small electric grill and an infrared turkey fryer that cooks without all that dangerous oil. As many of our customers live in early 20th century row homes with small yards and small porches, we feel these products - which are very competitively priced - will uniquely suit our customers' needs.

Be sure and check our website in the upcoming weeks for some great new hearth and barbecue items that we think you're really going to love.

Antique Fireplace Items

We started offering antique fireplace items late last summer and have built up quite a selection, particularly vintage mantels and some fine wrought iron and brass antique andirons dating from the early 1800's to early 20th century.

This double mantel and cast iron surround with summer cover came from a house here in Richmond that's being converted to commercial use - both are in great condition.

It's pretty heartwarming to be able to save these great old fireplace parts, and to help them find a new home to spend the next hundred years.

Hey, did you know COFFEE & FIREPLACES are usually served hot?

18 February 2010

An Oakland judge has granted 2 California homeowners to represent over 500,000 consumers in a class action suit against fireplace manufacturer Lennox International Inc.

The couple alleges that "Lennox should have warned homeowners about the dangers of its products" because the glass window on the fireplace can reach a temperature exceeding 475 degrees "a temperature that can cause third degree burns to the skin. "

"It's in the range of twice as hot as an iron on its hottest setting" said Jerome Tapley, lawyer for the couple.

Here at Victorian Fireplace Shop, the coffee is usually lukewarm though if you're here early enough then you might sneak up on a hot cup. But if there's a fireplace operating in the store, the glass IS hot enough to burn your skin. DON'T TOUCH THE GLASS.

We dare say that any gas fireplace with a glass window will be hot enough to burn you during or immediately after the fire burning so in the interest of public service, we strongly discourage you from touching the glass window on a gas, wood, coal or pellet burning hearth appliance.

Tour VICTORIAN FIREPLACE SHOP video

At long last, here are some photos of our fireplaces and accessories on display.