The construction of most of the grates of the present day tends very
much to a great consumption of fuel without a proportionate increase
in the heat of the room. The "Parson's" grate was suggested by the
late Mr. Mechi, of Tiptree Hall, Kelvedon, Essex, in order to obtain
increased heat from less fuel. Speaking of this grate, Mr. Mechi
says:
"The tested gain by the use of this grate is an increase of 15
degrees of temperature, with a saving of one-third in fuel. I
believe that there are several millions of grates on the wrong
principle, hurrying the heat up the chimney instead of into the
room, and thus causing an in-draught of cold air. This is especially
the case with strong drawing registers. No part of a grate should be
of iron, except the thin front bars; for iron is a conductor away of
heat, but fire-bricks are not so."
The principle of the grate is thus explained by a writer in 'The
Field', who says:
"If any of your readers are troubled with smoky fires and cold
rooms, allow me to recommend them to follow Mr. Mechi's plan, as I
have done. Remove the front and bottom bars from any ordinary grate;
then lay on the hearth, under where the bars were, a large fire
tile, three inches thick, cut to fit properly, and projecting about
an inch further out than the old upright bars. Then get made by the
blacksmith a straight hurdle, twelve inches deep, having ten bars,
to fit into the slots which held the old bars, and allow it to take
its bearing upon the projecting fire-brick. The bars should be
round, of five-eighth inch rod, excepting the top and bottom, which
are better flat, about 1-1/4 in. broad. My dining-room grate was
thus altered at a total cost of eighteen shillings two years ago,
the result being that a smoky chimney is cured, and that the room is
always at a really comfortable temperature, with a smaller
consumption of coal than before. The whole of the radiation is into
the room, with perfect slow combustion."