Beauty Fires: Forge Fires: The Fireplace Range South Africans Have Been Waiting For

There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a fire in the middle of a South African winter. We’re a country that knows how to soak up the sun, but when the temperatures drop, we need heating that holds its own, looks good doing it and doesn’t cost the earth. That’s why I’ve been keeping my eye on the new Forge Fires range, stocked by Beauty Fires in Johannesburg, George and Cape Town. And now that it’s here, I can happily say: this is a collection worth sharing.

Locally made and built with durability in mind, Forge Fires is a tough, wood-burning range that fits the way we live. Whether you’re situated in a security complex in Pretoria East or a spacious home in Hermanus, there’s a model to suit your needs. The design is sleek and modern, yet it remains warm and inviting. These fireplaces create an atmosphere while delivering exceptional performance.

Homeowners often feel stuck with outdated open hearths that consume wood and barely take the edge off a cold room. Forge Fires offers a perfect alternative. The built-in range is ideal for renovations or replacing older units. With sizes ranging from the portrait-style i50 to the huge landscape i120, they fit into existing cavities with minimal fuss, while delivering proper, high-efficiency heat. The panoramic glass gives you a generous view of the flames, and an air curtain keeps that glass clearer for longer. No more smudgy build-up between weekend cleanings.

For freestanding options, I have a soft spot for the Forge TEN. It’s a proper fireplace designed for smaller living spaces. Its vertical orientation, compact footprint, and built-in wood storage make it an excellent choice for cottages, flats, or snug studies. It heats up to 108m² with ease.

The panoramic freestanding range, from the F70 to the F120, steps things up for larger areas. These models feature wider bodies and enhanced heating capacities, reaching up to 20kW on the F120, making them perfect for open-plan homes. They also include generous wood storage beneath the firebox, which is both practical and visually appealing. So, no need for extra baskets or clutter.

All models feature a dual combustion system that effectively burns off gases from the initial combustion, prolonging burn time and minimising wood usage. You’ll also find top and bottom air inlets to give you full control over the burn rate. As someone who’s cleaned out many fireplaces over the years, I can confirm that the removable ashtray is a blessing.

In these tough economic times, what I admire most about the Forge Fires range is its pricing, which comes in well below that of European models. Built tougher than many of the cheaper options flooding in from the East, Forge Fires gets the balance right: dependable, beautiful heat at a price that makes sense and saves Rands. In short, it’s a range that won’t torch your budget.