Why a Steel Firebox makes all the difference

When choosing an outdoor fireplace, the materials used in the firebox can significantly affect how your fireplace performs and lasts. While some brands use firebricks, Trendz fireplaces are built around a high-performance 6mm steel firebox, and that’s a deliberate, important choice. 

So, what’s the difference? 

Steel Fireboxes radiate heat efficiently 

Steel heats up quickly and radiates warmth out the front of the outdoor fireplace more effectively than firebricks. This means more usable heat reaches your seating area, instead of being absorbed into the thick concrete walls. For cooler nights or larger outdoor spaces, that extra warmth makes all the difference.

Trendz steel fireboxes feature an angled double-skinned backplate. This is designed to direct ambient heat back through the opening rather than up through the flue.

Built to withstand high heat 

Steel fireboxes are designed to handle intense heat repeatedly, with resistance to cracking, spalling, or degrading over time. Being 6mm thick, the steel firebox on a Trendz outdoor fireplace can withstand many years of use without requiring replacement. The beauty of a steel firebox is that it can be kept in good condition with minor maintenance every 6-12 months. This helps keep any surface rust in check and keeps it looking tidy and in good order.

Replaceable and Maintainable 

A Trendz steel firebox is engineered to be replaceable. Unlike poured or masonry concrete fireboxes (which are fixed into the structure) a steel firebox can be swapped out if it ever wears down after many years of use. No rebuilding. No starting over. Just a quick, efficient upgrade. Regular maintenance can help negate the need of this and also with the option of a mesh or stainless steel door, this can further help keep your firebox in good working order.

But What About Firebricks? 

Firebricks do have their place. They’re: 

• Highly durable, when properly installed firebricks can last years in high-heat environments without degrading.
• Completely rust-proof, which can be reassuring in very wet or coastal environments 
• Often more cost-effective in very basic or DIY setups 

Firebricks also come with limitations: 

• They’re usually built into the fireplace structure, meaning they can’t be replaced later 
• Heat takes longer to build up, and more of it is absorbed into the firebox walls, reducing radiant warmth (which is why they’re better suited for cooking than heating).
• Due to the construction method, it is difficult to create any sort of sloping back or top baffles with firebricks to help radiate the heat meaning a lot of heat goes directly up the chimney.
• Firebricks can still crack under extreme heat or if not cured properly, especially with frequent use.
• Unable to be maintained, there is no way to maintain firebricks. After use, they will need to be fully replaced which can be a difficult task.

Why Trendz Fireplaces use a steel firebox

For us, the goal is to create fireplaces that are functional, efficient, and built to last, with a firebox that performs just as beautifully on day one as it does years later. 

That’s why we use steel: 

• It radiates more heat making it great for heating and also cooking
• It allows for future replacement but can be easily maintained
• It works well in a prefabricated design that can be installed in one piece

A Trendz fireplace is still an option if you are in a marine environment, we recommend adding our solid stainless-steel door to your fireplace. This will protect the firebox and keep it looking like new for many years if you give it a quick paint touch-up once a year.

Combined with our reinforced precast concrete surrounds, you get the best of both materials: the strength and styling of concrete, with the heat performance and flexibility of steel.