Superior WRE4542 42" Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace

Superior WRE4542 42" Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace

The Superior WRE4542 is the 42" model in Superior's WRE4500 Custom Series of outdoor wood-burning fireplaces, built for large outdoor spaces: a 30" tall opening lined with white refractory panels that run to the front edge, a stainless steel face and body, and a fully insulated firebox for colder climates. Choose white stacked (WRE4542WS) or white herringbone (WRE4542WH) panels in the options above. A large smoke dome with no visible smoke shelf sits over a heavy-duty stainless grate, and stainless mesh screens, a damper control on the front face and a hidden ash cleanout come standard.

It vents through Superior's 12" double-wall chimney, ordered separately: 12DM standard pipe, or 12HT hi-temp pipe, which Superior recommends for outdoor and coastal sites and requires in Canada. The chimney has to reach at least 9.5 feet from the base of the fireplace to the outlet of the cap, and outside air kits can connect on either side.

It also accepts vented gas logs or a vent-free gas log heater, with gas line access on both sides. The WRE4500 comes in 36" and 50" sizes too (WRE4536, WRE4550).

Key Features

• 42" wide, 30" tall opening; inside, 42" wide at the front, 25-1/8" at the back and 23-1/2" deep
• Open wood-burning fireplace for outdoor installation
• White refractory panels in a stacked or herringbone pattern, running to the front edge, with an integrated ash lip
• Large smoke dome with no visible smoke shelf
• Fully insulated firebox for colder climates
• Heavy-duty stainless steel log grate and stainless steel mesh fire screens
• Damper control on the front face and a hidden ash cleanout
• Outside air kits connect on the left or right side
• Uses Superior's 12" double-wall chimney: 12DM standard or 12HT hi-temp
• Approved for vented or vent-free gas logs, with gas line access on both sides
• Stainless steel construction and face for outdoor use
• 20 year limited warranty on the fireplace body and firebox

What's Included

• Fireplace with white stacked or white herringbone refractory panels, as ordered (the floor panel comes in place; the rear and side panels go in on site)
• Two stainless steel mesh screens and screen rods
• Heavy-duty stainless steel grate and grate retainers
• Damper with front control
• Ember protector for the front edge
• Installation and operation manual and homeowner's guide

What to Order With It

Required – Chimney pipe, ordered separately:

• 12" Double Wall Chimney Pipe, 12" to 48" sections (12DM)
• 12" Hi-Temp Double Wall Chimney Pipe, 12" to 48" sections (12HT), recommended for outdoor and coastal sites and required in Canada

Required – Chimney cap (pick one; square tops are for chases only):

• Round top, louvered screen: RLT-12D, or RLT-12HT for hi-temp pipe
• Square chase top with slip section: STL-12D, or STL-12DMP pre-painted black

As your chimney run needs:

• 30 degree offset and return with 6" adapter: 30E-12DM-B, or 30E-12HT-B for hi-temp pipe
• 2" Clearance Firestop Spacer (FS-10), at every floor or ceiling the chimney passes through, or the 30 Degree Firestop Spacer (30FS-10) on an angled run
• Roof Flashing, 0 to 6/12 pitch (V6F-10DM) or Roof Flashing, 6/12 to 12/12 pitch (V12F-10DM)
• Storm Collar (SC2-1)
• Firestop Thimble (FST10), required where the chimney goes up into an attic
• Chimney support: 12S-12DM, or 12S-12HT for hi-temp pipe
• Cold Air Collar Kit (CAK-12), recommended in cooler regions

Optional:

• 42" Bi-Fold Glass Door, Black (BDG42)
• Outside Air Kit for a sidewall (AK4) or Outside Air Kit for floor venting (AK4F)

Specifications

There is no Btu rating for an open wood fire; the heat depends on the wood and the size of the fire. Superior intends it for supplemental heat, not as a replacement for a furnace.

Dimensions and Framing

Fireplace dimensions

Inside the firebox

Framing

Slide the fireplace back into the framed opening until the nailing flanges touch the side framing, shim it level and square with sheet metal, and fasten it through the side flanges with screws or nails. Keep 1-1/2" between the framing and the back and sides (not needed at the nailing flanges); framing can touch the top spacers.

Installation Requirements

• Outdoor enclosure: the enclosure around the fireplace must drain and let fresh air in. Superior recommends a sealed, corrosion-resistant catch pan with a drain under the fireplace.
• Chimney parts: use only Superior's (IHP) 12DM or 12HT chimney parts. Other brands void the warranty and the listing. In Canada, 12HT hi-temp pipe and a Cold Air Climate Kit are required; the kit is recommended in cooler parts of the US.
• Chimney height: at least 9.5 feet from the base of the fireplace to the flue outlet of the cap, with at least 4 feet of that in chimney pipe sections; at least 22 feet with two offsets, and 50 feet at most. No more than 6 feet of angled pipe between supports, and no more than two angled runs. When pipe goes between an offset and its return, the 6" adapter that comes with the offset set goes in before the return. A chimney over 20 feet tall needs its own support.
• Through the roof: the cap must be at least 3 feet above where the chimney leaves the roof and 2 feet higher than any part of the roof within 10 feet. Keep 2" between the pipe and anything combustible, put a firestop spacer at every floor or ceiling the chimney passes through, add a thimble where it goes up into an attic, and never fill a chimney enclosure with blown insulation.
• Chase tops: a square chase top needs a chase at least 30" tall on its shortest side and 19" across inside, with the last pipe section no more than 6" below the top of the chase. Chase tops sharing a chase need 24" between centers and 18" of height difference.
• Clearances: 1-1/2" at the back and sides (not needed at the nailing flanges), 0" at the top spacers and floor, 42" to the ceiling, 48" in front, and a perpendicular side wall at least 18" from the opening. Don't pack the air spaces with insulation.
• Hearth extension: over a combustible floor, a non-combustible hearth extension must reach at least 20" in front of the opening and 12" past each side (66" x 20"), with a thermal conductivity (k) of 0.84 or less per inch of thickness; it can be finished with tile, brick, stone, slate or concrete. Slide the supplied ember protector under the front edge of the fireplace and seal the gap with non-combustible material. On a raised platform, make a Z-shaped ember protector from 28-gauge or heavier galvanized steel that reaches 1-1/2" under the fireplace.
• Floor: on carpet, tile or any combustible floor other than wood, set the fireplace on a metal or wood panel covering its full width and depth.
• Mantel and facing: no combustible trim or mantel within 18" of the opening, and anything combustible that sticks out more than 1-1/2" must be at least 21" above the top of the opening. Drywall and other combustible board can butt against the sides and top of the face but must never overlap it. Brick, tile and other non-combustible materials can overlap the face, set with non-combustible mortar or adhesive, as long as they don't block any openings.
• Refractory panels: the floor panel comes installed; set the rear and side panels after the fireplace is in its final place, lining up the grout joints. They are heavy, so lift them with help.
• Outside air: an AK4 kit draws air through a sidewall and an AK4F through a vented crawl space. Fit it during rough framing; the inlet can't end in an attic or sit higher than 3 feet below the flue outlet of the cap.
• Gas logs: vented gas logs must be listed to ANSI Z21.60 or Z21.84, with the damper removed or locked fully open and any glass doors fully open. A vent-free gas log heater must be listed to ANSI Z21.11.2; never run one with the chimney removed, and don't modify the firebox canopy or swap it for one that comes with the logs. If wood has been burned, have a chimney sweep clean the firebox and chimney first. Gas runs in 1/2" black iron pipe through the access on either side, hooked up by a qualified service person and leak-tested with soapy water, never a flame. A certified gas log lighter can also be fitted.
• Glass doors: use only doors certified for this fireplace, and run them fully open or fully closed, never partly open.
• Inserts: don't put a fireplace insert in it unless the insert's maker says it was tested with this fireplace.
• Installation: check local codes and permits before you start, and have a qualified installer follow the installation manual.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chimney does it need?
Superior's 12" double-wall chimney (12-3/8" inside, 15" outside): 12DM standard or 12HT hi-temp pipe, plus a round top or chase top cap, all listed above. Outdoors it must reach at least 9.5 feet from the base of the fireplace to the flue outlet of the cap, with at least 4 feet of pipe; the fireplace itself counts for 66-1/2" of that. Under a roof, the cap must also clear the roof by 3 feet and any part of the roof within 10 feet by 2 feet.

Can I burn gas logs in it?
Yes. It is approved for vented gas logs listed to ANSI Z21.60 or Z21.84 (with the damper locked open and any glass doors open) and for vent-free gas log heaters listed to ANSI Z21.11.2. Check that the log set fits the firebox (42" wide at the front, 25-1/8" at the back and 23-1/2" deep). There is gas line access on both sides, and a certified gas log lighter can be installed for wood fires.

What should I burn?
Dry, seasoned hardwood, ideally seasoned for about a year, and about three logs on the grate at a time; overloading it only adds smoke. Manufactured firelogs are fine if they are made for fireplaces, but don't poke them while they burn. Never burn treated lumber, plywood, driftwood, charcoal, coal, trash or Christmas tree branches, and never start a fire with gasoline, lighter fluid or kerosene.

Stacked or herringbone?
Both are white refractory panels. The WRE4542WS has a stacked brick pattern and the WRE4542WH a herringbone pattern; the size and fit are the same.

Does it need glass doors?
No. The stainless mesh screens come with it. The BDG42 bi-fold glass doors are an option; run them fully open or fully closed, and close the screen before closing the doors.

How close can a mantel be?
Keep combustible trim and mantels at least 18" from the opening, and anything combustible that sticks out more than 1-1/2" at least 21" above the top of the opening. Brick, stone or tile can overlap the face itself.

Anything to know about the first fires?
Let the refractory panels cure for 24 hours, then keep the first three or four fires small. Hairline cracks up to 1/64" wide in the panels are normal. Lock the damper fully open before lighting, and don't close it until the embers are completely out.

How often does the chimney need cleaning?
Have it inspected at least twice a year while you are using the fireplace, and cleaned once creosote builds up to 1/8". Don't use the fireplace to cook or warm food.

Warranty

Superior's 20 Year Limited Warranty covers the WRE4542 against defects in materials and workmanship:

• Fireplace body and firebox: 20 years
• Refractory panels and fire screens: 2 years, repair or replacement (hairline cracks excluded)
• Grate: 90 days, defects only (Superior treats grates as a wear item)
• Optional glass doors: 90 days
• Parts not listed: 90 days
• Labor: paid at IHP rates for the covered part's warranty period, up to five years

Vent components, trim, paint and applied stains are not covered, and neither is damage from overfiring. Using chimney parts that aren't Superior's (IHP) voids the warranty. The warranty is for the original owner of a fireplace installed in the US or Canada. Full terms are in the warranty certificate.

Documents and Downloads

• Installation and Operation Manual
• Homeowner's Guide
• Specification Sheet
• Smart Sheet
• Brochure
• Warranty Certificate