Let me guess…you can’t get those sweet 70’s fireplaces out of your mind since my last mention? Me neither. I’m pretty much ALWAYS thinking about them because very few things in life are better than strange old fireplaces that look like they are going to eat you up. So, what’s left to do but covet more for every room? (You’ll find my unsolicited buying tips at the end and you can check out my Preway here and my Malm here!)
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I have a vintage Preway and Malm, two of the most common brands, but Majestic is another brand to look for. Malm fireplaces are actually still in production, so if you are filthy rich and/or want to buy a Malm new you can! Shop like it’s 1975 at the original Malm, like it’s 2015 at Design Within Reach, or the future with a bio fuel version on Amazon (sooo expensive but NO installation required to fire!).
Otherwise, your options are eBay or Craigslist (or the comment section on this post is turning into a mini fireplace classifieds!). I suggest Craigslist all the way on this one. They sell on eBay in the $500-$1,000 range. Skip that. If you have the patience to comb through every “fireplace” and “fire place” listing your local Craigslists you will be rewarded. If you don’t have that kind of patience, keep an eye out for common listing titles like freestanding fireplace, wood stove or even a chiminea (and various misspellings of the word). Other often used terms are cone, retro, 60’s, 70’s, groovy, and even ugly. Don’t be offended: The brand is usually not listed because sellers have no idea what they have and are just looking to clear these things out of their space for their generic remodel. Personally, I would never pay more than $400 and would only pay that for the exact model and color I wanted in perfect condition. I found my perfect condition with all parts Preway for $75 and my Malm for free.
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Preways, as far as I know, only come in one shape. The orange and green fireplaces in the photo above are Preways. Their screens have a handle on each side and they should have a metal band around the flue that sometimes says Preway. There are several different leg/base configurations. Vintage Malms come in all kinds of shapes, as do the new ones, including the Preway shape and the smaller, taller cones. Majestics, less common in my experience than the others, are usually identifiable by their gold knobbed screens with a “Majestic” nameplate. They also make the taller cones and some other interesting shapes. I believe they are the only maker of the square shape, like that tapered legged beauty in the first picture.
We use our indoor Preway as a nonfunctioning focal point. We have another fireplace that hosts fires and I didn’t want to mess with the cost or hassle/worry of install so I put a pile of string lights inside and called it a day. I LOVE it and think it is 100% worth the space it takes up, but I’m crazy and know this isn’t practical for most homes. I’ve heard that you can burn cans of clean fuel inside (it seems like these new Malms are basically doing that) without chimney or ventilation, but I haven’t researched that option enough or tried it to recommend.
If you are thinking of installing the fireplace in your house, I would place a priority on finding one with all parts intact. Replacement parts can be hard to find, if not impossible, and expensive. And I would certainly pay a professional to install. Burning down your house down or carbon monoxide poisoning is never worth the cost savings of a DIY fireplace install!
If you are just looking for a place to burn logs in your backyard, you don’t need to be so picky. Though, you may want to lean towards the junkier ones out of vintage-stuff-moral-obligation…DWR recommends buying their stainless version for outdoor use because the enameled ones will rust. I imagine this is the same with older models. I was planning to put my Preway outside originally but it cleaned up so nicely that I felt guilty destroying its finish with weather. I see lots of rusted specimens on Craigslist in the $50 and less range.
I know it’s almost summer and all. But winter is coming, so better get on it! Thanks for reading!
SUBURBAN POP * 
I am seeking a bright colored outdoor cone fire place too! With COVID-19 distancing and having all the kids home I need more cool space outside! I am near DC. If you have one and its reasonable priced, please reach out! Thank you, Nancy Gardener2020a@gmail.com
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Hi, I have a Preway fb26 (google it please) with no doors and a short flue. The fan works and it is in nice shape. I;m in the bay area/northern California. I also have a conical, orange no name fireplace that I’m pretty attached to but everything’s got a price as they say. Feel free to reach out if interested. I can be reached at: my first name then ‘peake’ (without the quotes) at googles email (hope I didn’t confuse you)
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I have a red cone fireplace for sale. Excellent condition. I am in RI.
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Hi Nancy – do you still have the red cone fireplace for sale? I live in KS but maybe we could work something out? My email address starts with an ‘m’ (no quotes) and ends with ‘cmillinandrew’ (also no quotes) at yahoo dot com. We have an outdoor space that we would like to warm up with one of these beauties this winter. If not, no worries! Just thought I’d try. If others out there have one for sale, please feel free to reach out. Thank you!
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Have you sold this yet??
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I am looking for a wall-mounted electric fireplace with, preferably, a functional heater.
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Hi I’m looking for a complete and functioning indoor wood burning fireplace. I need at least a 6 ft flue. Not really picky on brand or color, just not red. Obvs, want a cone. I’m located in Nashville but can drive 6 hours or so to pick up. Email me if you have one lin.zgraham@gmail.com
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I have a real nice malm wood burning stove i would like to sell. Iam close to St. louis.
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Have you sold this yet?? I’m looking for a wood burning one I think it would fit great in my retro home!! A pin up classic photo for sure!!!!
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Hello, I’m in St. Louis, Mo. Would be interested in your stove. Please let me know if still available. Thank you.
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If anyone is INTERESTED, I am selling my Free Standing mid-century yellow cone wood burning fireplace. this thing is in great original condition at 60 + yrs old this is an amazing addition to any retro or mid century post modern home.
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Hi Christopher, could you email me some info at tbwatson4282@gmail.com — thanks!! :)
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Hi, Iam looking for the cone shaped replacement legs for my “Groovy” Retro Orange Enamel Fire Place , any ideas where to search ? Thank you, cheryl
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Have you sold this yet?? I’m looking for a wood burning one I think it would fit great in my retro home!! A pin up classic photo for sure!!!!
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Hi, I have several available in Wisconsin. Willing to accept offers. See: unearthedhome.com
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couldn’t find anything like this at your site. ???
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Does anyone know how much it would cost to install a preway wood burning one in a home (and cut out for ventilation, etc.)? Is a permit required for something like that?
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I have an orange one that needs rust repair from being used outside. I’m in central Florida.
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I am looking to purchase a used conical metal wood-burning version of one of these fireplaces for outside use (Chicago/ Northwest Indiana area). My present one has been outside for 18 years and is pretty shot at this point. I don’t need a pristine version, some rust acceptable, and can’t spend a fortune on this. Does anyone have any advice, one to sell? Thanks.
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Philip, are you still looking? I have a Black Martin one with a Knight emblem on the front. I’m in Eastern Nebraska. Ours has been outside but always stored in the winter. A little rust on ours somewhere propbably but it’s in good shape for it’s age and still has the flue and a good length of pipe shooting up!
3o 8 293 seventy 4 eighty 7 is my number! Elle
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I am in Georgia and have a black one. No pipe other than the short piece attached to cone. Some rust, but heavy duty & all parts intact. Never gonna convince my partner to love it, so for sale. $100
Renita.hulsey@me.com
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Where does one order parts for a vintage Preway? Mine needs a new screen? Thank you!
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Preway is no longer in business so finding original vintage parts is hit or miss. We ordered a replica screen from Red Eye Vintage (on IG and Etsy, I believe) and were very pleased with the fit and the quality. Not cheap, but comparable in price to a screen from Malm.
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Hello all- I have a vintage yellow cone stove
That’s for immediate sale- I’m located in Erie Pa.
If anyone is interested or you know of someone please let
Me know. No rust. I can send pictures and directions upon request. It’s in great condition!
Regards
Ck Magee
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Hi there, I am interested in seeing photos! Could you let me know how to contact you? Thanks!
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I’m looking for preway in dallas, tx area?
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Red Eye Vintage on instagram — couldn’t find anything nearby so we ordered from them! we live in DFW!
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Is this still available? If it is can you send me details, i.e. width, wood burning and condition.
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Hello everyone, I have “that tapered legged beauty in the first picture” up for sale. It’s not in the pristine condition as that one but a solid contender that would get you the complements that you’re looking for.
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Forgot to add, I’m located in southwest Pa about an hour east of Pittsburg. Any interest in this item, you will need to make arrangements to pick it up. I’m not up to the challenge for building a box to ship it.
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