Buying a Vintage Cone Fireplace

Posted on by Jenny

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!)

Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70's source
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70's source
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource
Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70's source

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.

Vintage Fireplace Majestic Malm Preway Retro 60's 70'ssource

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!

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137 thoughts on “Buying a Vintage Cone Fireplace”

    1. Oh man, I don’t know! Ebay? I haven’t come across many manuals, but I’m guessing ebay would be your best bet. Anyone out there have a copy? I think a professional – especially one who has been in the business for years – should have experience with these and be able to safely install without a manual. Good luck!

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    1. No ideas on where to find a replacement but I have seen, and I forget where, someone fashion a makeshift screen out of chicken wire or some type of wire mesh. Or I wonder if you could rig up a mesh curtain screen to fit? You may want to check with Malm and see if they sell screens separately…their Zircon fireplace model looks like it has a compatible screen shape. Best of luck to you!

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      1. I have all original red majestic great condition. All pipes and flu…complete if you know anyone. $1950. 772-332-5739

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  4. Any info on the Martin brand? I just found one that looks just like these models, but I can’t find anything about them online.

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      1. Yes, it was in great condition and the price was definitely right. I’ve found almost nothing online about the Martin version, except that it was probably manufactured around 1968. I’d love to know if they are as rare as they seem to be. If anyone reading this has any info please let me know!

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  6. I have a periwinkle color blue come fireplace that had the name firehood on it any info would be helpful is this a rare color an it’s value looking to sell

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  8. Yay, so happy to hear that! Sounds like you scored! What kind/color? Since I can’t hoard them all, I like to know that they at least end up in good hands, haha! Have fun with your new treasure :)

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  11. hey there… great post. I am looking for one of these for the backyard. I found an old Orange preway that I can get for $200 but its missing the top pipe extender (has one pipe but missing the 2nd)… any idea where I could find one?

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    1. Thanks! My experience is parts are hard to find, especially in specific colors and for cheap. I’m not sure if you are willing to spend possibly more than the entire fireplace costs, but there is a So Cal dealer that sells tons of vintage Preways and shipping is available…@theretroburn and @radicalrelics on instagram. May be worth checking into to see if extra chimney parts are available?? If you aren’t interested in spending more, my opinion is to wait for a complete fireplace :) Good luck either way!

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  12. Im looking for one to go outdoors but having a hard time finding anything on CL and ebay is ridic in their prices. Has anyone seen any good deals?

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  13. I have one of those fireplaces and I’d like to get rid of it, but don’t know how. I live in Australia, though.

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  14. Hello Everyone! Such a great article!! Thank you for all of the info! I have a beautiful vintage Majestic cone fireplace for sale. It is in great original condition and includes the cast log tray that sits inside, the double hinged fire screen and 4 matching chimney pipe extensions! 3 are roughly 24″ long and the 4th is about 10″ in length. I have not seen another fireplace with this much matching chimney pipe!! The color of the fireplace is terra cotta that fades to dark brown at all of the chimney unions. I can text/email photos if you’re interested! Structurally it is identical to the light blue colored stove featured in this article.

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    1. Sorry for the delay Susan! Just got back into town! I just hit send on a reply to the email you sent me. Let me know if you have any questions!

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  16. I have one of these in white I just put on eBay. Cheap start. It was in my house when I moved in and has just never grown on me.

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  17. I have a red cone fireplace that is in excellent condition! I am looking for someone who would be interested in purchasing it from me!

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      1. I have a red majestic in Great condition. Complete with all pipes and flu…772-332-5739.. $1950

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  18. I just bought a house that has a red cone fireplace. I do not know the manufacturer (I just know it is not Malm) and I need to buy chimney mid section. If I send you a picture do you think you can tell me the manufacturer? Do you know where I can get parts?
    Thanks

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  19. I have loved Preway fireplaces since childhood when we had one in our house back in the 60’s and 70’s. Recently I had the opportunity to “rescue” 10 Preway fireplaces from a trip to the dump during a local apartment complex renovation. Now I have them for sale to fellow fans. All are in original black paint, in good used condition with original screens. Beginning to post photos on my WordPress page https://prewayfireplace.wordpress.com

    The challenge: we are located in Anchorage Alaska, and moving to Charleston SC in December 2017… we are at risk of having to leave them behind to be trashed. For a potential buyer, the combined purchase + shipping will still likely be less than most are paying, especially given eBay prices. Can arrange shipping for serious buyers. With the move to Charleston SC in December 2017, there is a possible option with your purchase commitment.
    thanks! Mike
    https://prewayfireplace.wordpress.com/

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  20. I’m selling my malm queen jester free standing fireplace. It is currently set up for gas however it can be easily converted to wood burning. I have to manual and it has a updated log set. I have it posted on several sites. I would hate to sell it for scrap but if I can’t find a buyer that’s my only option. Any ideas on how to go about selling it?

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  22. I have a yellow cone fireplace with an old electric plug in log decor. It is from 1970. It is in great condition. Only used a few times. Any interest in it? I have a photo I can email to anyone interested.

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  25. Hi! I am located in Montreal Canada and I am looking for a gas cone fire place. Would anyone have one for sale? Thanks :)

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  26. I have a Knights and Axes brass emblem on the front of my orange fireplace and found no name of manufacture. The base of mine is also different it has a round disk with an inverted cone shape base that the round fire base is on. Does anyone know if mine may be older or newer? The fireplace store where I got it had spray painted it black but when I saw an orange scratch on it I tested and was able to remove ALL the black paint. I too couldn’t find pipe the whole way orange but Orange engine spray paint worked great. Mine is used with gas logs vented up a chimney

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  27. I am selling Majestic fireplace (identical to the red one in the first photo, except mine is all black). Live in Colorado and prefer local pickup. $999 OBO. Email nkan02 at gmail dot com

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  28. Hello All,
    Looking for a cone shaped wood burning fireplace for our 1958 beach cottage renovation. Anyone have one for sale….prefer a white or yellow color if get that luck. Looking for a complete set up with pipe, log rack and screen if possible. My Email is kimmer136@gmail.com

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    1. Not sure if you are still looking but I have a red Majestic for sale with lots of pipe excellent condition 860-214-9595 thanks

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  29. Thank goodness for this posting. We were cleaning out a storage unit and found a cone shaped fire place. Not sure what it was at first. The information about is very helpful. We will post it on Craigslist. Thank you.

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  31. Anyone know where to get a turquoise aqua type color for fireplace. We bought a magestic cone fireplace on offer up for 120. All pieces but very rusted. We are going to have it outdoors and was hoping to have it painted a fun color. No luck in finding a heat safe paint in a desired color… Anyone here have any better luck???

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  32. i have an electric RED?ORANGE fireplace that is in excellent condition. It was in my grandmothers basement since the 70’s. She had a 220amp outlet to plug it in and she used it like a space heater. Would someone like to buy it? Email me and I can send you a photo of it.

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    1. I have a red orange cone fireplace. Excellent condition if you’re interested email me and I will send you a photo of it.

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      1. I still have it but am redoing my house and wondering if there is a place for it? I’m not sure yet if I’m keeping it or not.

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      2. Hi I have a majestic wood burning red cone fireplace for sale in Connecticut it’s in excellent condition 860-214-9595

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  33. I’m in NH and looking to purchase one of these, not too picky on color but looking for something in very good condition. Will travel throughout New England/NY/PA! Please leave me a post here if you have something and it will be forwarded to my email :)

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    2. Not sure if you are still looking but I have a red Majestic cone fireplace with lots of original piping in excellent condition 860-214-9595 I am in Connecticut on the Massachusetts Line North of the airport

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  34. hi Jenny! Love your site! I have an alv,green Preway cone freestanding wood stove with inside rack, chrome ring, fluke and pipe.No screen. New, has never been installed and is in excellent condition. Asking $2018. Located in central WA Possible trade for ATV 509-494-8396 Thanks

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  35. Hi! I have an Aztec ceramic freestanding fire place..no pipes tho. Anybody know if you can have the pipes made? Are there manuals available?
    Thank you!

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  36. Hey – just bought a metal cone fireplace – thought it was wood burning – but now not sure – it is made from metal – no super heavy duty – any experience with these – want to use it indoors – any thoughts appreciated.

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  37. If anyone is in the Louisville, KY (Indy, Cindy, Nashville, etc) area, I have an orange Preway for sale. I have all the pipe to the chimney cap (maybe 3 sections). Email me and I can send pictures. Thanks for the article! I’ve been going back and forth on selling it for several years and officially decided to let it go. sean.reky@yahoo.com

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  39. I have a red Majestic cone fireplace that is an excellent condition includes all the black pipe and lots of it it is located in Connecticut and I can send pictures through my cell phone 860-214-9595

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  42. Pingback: Happy New Year - What Does 2019 Hold for Color? | Slipcovers for Your Walls

  45. I’m trying to find out what kind of fireplace I have in my lounge room and how much it would be to buy another one, if I can still get one that is but I can’t work out what it is , the only badge it has on if says ‘ colonial fireplace Australia, if you could email me and I send you z photo I wonder if you would know what one it is, it would be very much appreciated, thankyou

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    1. Sorry for the delayed response! Unfortunately I don’t have any info on that brand and, as far as I know, the only company still in business making these fireplaces is Malm. Sorry :(

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  46. We have one outside in our breezeway in Palm Springs. I think the previous owner spray painted it and when someone put a log in it and lit it, it burned the paint. We had it repainted but now wondering if anyone has tried putting an electric log set in one that looks decent, maybe even gives off some heat. I think propane could work too but I’m not sure if it’s safe in a covered breezeway.
    It’s yellow and in photos for our vacation rental here: https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p4816674?adultsCount=5&arrival=2020-04-09&departure=2020-04-14&uni_id=5812564

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  49. I have a cone not sure of manufacturer but it’s painted black, I think enamel spray paint, I want to remove the paint as the original color is orange, will paint thinner hurt the original coating? Thank you.

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  50. I’m on the hunt for a cone fireplace, no preference in color or maker. We want it for outdoor wood burning. Let me know if anyone has one for sale in Northern California, or will ship if it isn’t outrageous. Nicole hsiehmoi@gmail.com

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