HARROGATE, NORTH YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

By Bill Sendelback

The 17th annual Hearth & Home Exhibition, June 9-11 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, saw the usual assortment of gas fires, electric fires and a growing number of wood stoves. A few of those products possibly could do well in the North American hearth market. 

The star of the show was Dimplex's new Opti-V electric fire that is head and shoulders above any electric fire on either side of the pond. Available now in the UK in small and large linear wall- mount models and a stove model, the Opti-V combines real fire footage displayed on an HD LCD screen with a patent-pending "clever illusory technique" similar to that used in Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion ride, according to Dimplex.  

Added to the strikingly realistic flames are simulated smoke from Dimplex's Optimyst models, variable ember bed lighting, sparks and a very realistic crackling fire sound. The company plans to introduce the following models in North America at the March, 2014, HPBExpo: the small wall-model that retails in the UK for $2,250; the large wall-mount at $4,000, and the stove model for $2,700; the latter is the only model that includes a heater. The Opti-V electric fire was awarded Electric Fire of the Year and Product of the Year at the UK Exhibition. 

i41 by Contura.

Sweden's largest stove company, Contura, introduced its line of prefabricated fireplaces that resemble popular European solid soapstone models. However, the i31 flat front and i41 corner front versions include a modular masonry firebox surrounded by an aluminum frame on which white cast-stone or walnut brown sandstone slabs are mounted floor to ceiling for a solid stone appearance.  

Including a "lift out of sight" glass door, Contura models offer an optional black granite mantel and an attached bench with wood storage area. UK retail prices range from $4,500 to $7,500. These Contura models won Wood or Multi-Fuel Appliance of the Year and were close runners-up for Product of the Year.

Chimney Stack Flashing by Poujoulat UK.

Venting products often are "ho hum," but Poujoulat UK, part of huge European chimney manufacturer Cheminees Poujoulat, introduced its prefabricated chimney chase kits that hide a metal chimney and simulate a masonry chimney. Available for eight roof angles, the standard Chimney Stack Flashing comes in black or terracotta with a variety of chimney caps.  

Custom versions are available in eight painted finishes, three stucco finishes and eight brick styles. Made of galvanized steel, these lightweight chases are available in square and rectangular styles for one or two flues. Poujoulat says installation requires only one hour. 

The Twisty - sliding the metal plate. Inset: Ruby Fires ethanol fire.

Ethanol burners are slowly growing in popularity in the UK, and, so far, safety doesn't appear to be an issue as it is in the U.S. Most models are simply the "pour and burn" style with questionable safety features, except one; it features unique, simple and effective safety features. The Ruby Fires ethanol fires have a ceramic core in the fuel container that absorbs the ethanol fuel to keep it from spilling while allowing the escaping vapors to burn.  

A metal plate under the burner plate slides to open the fuel tank port while at the same time covering the burner and automatically extinguishing the flame during refueling. After the refueling, the metal plate is slid back to cover the fuel port opening while uncovering the burner that can now be re-lit.

Soot Eater Pro by Gardus.

A California company, Gardus showed the Brits its Soot Eater Pro rotary chimney cleaning kit that allows the consumer to use an electric drill motor to turn the included brush that cleans the flue. Retailing in the UK for $325, the kit includes 39 feet of "snap lock" cleaning rods, an 18-in. brush and a fireplace opening dust shield, all contained in a well-designed, compact display package.

Gardus offers another kit with a smaller brush and one rod segment, with a "J" end similar to a shepherd's staff, to clean rain gutters while standing on the ground.

More than 2,600 people attended this year's Hearth & Home Exhibition, a 14 percent increase over the 2012 show. There were 100 exhibitors, almost all displaying only hearth products. Napoleon Fireplaces, now in its fourth year in the UK, displayed its line of grills that are warehoused, distributed and sold in the UK by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Napoleon.

Central Boiler also showed its outside wood boilers for the second year through UK distributor Bentley Fire Shop, and Kamado Joe displayed its smokers and grills distributed through Grakka. 

Next year's Hearth & Home Exhibition once again will be held in Harrogate, June 8-10, 2014.   

Visit the Dimplex Opti-V website.

Visit the Contura website.

Visit the Poujoulat UK website.

Visit the Ruby Fires website.

Visit the Gardus website.