Lawrence Cranberg, an Austin, Texas, physicist, went back to basic physics in designing a new style fireplace grate that forces the fire not only to burn better but to send more of its heat out into the room.

Called the Texas Fireframe, it looks like a standard fireplace grate with 2 taller uprights at the front corners fitted with adjustable metals arms that extend into the fireplace. To use it, Cranberg places a large log toward the rear of the grate, two smaller one towards the front, and a fourth log slightly smaller than the first, on the adjustable arms. He then lowers the arms until the top log just touches the surface of the large one at the rear. This creates a cavity that opens into the room -- a sort of wooden furnace that contains the fire and prevents much of its heat from immediately escaping up the chimney, Cranberg explains.

He notes that one product of this arrangements is a hot, even, slow burning fire. About 30% of the heat generated inside this cavity eventually streams out into the room, he points out. There is another bonus -- it's easy to light. Cranberg says he can light even damp wood with only a few sheets of newspaper placed directly in the cavity and have a hot fire in 15 min.

Model U-25-H measures 25 in. front width, 21 in. back width, 15 in. high,  and 15 in. deep.  Model U-1 7-H measures 17 in. front width, 14 in. back width, 13 in. high, and 13 in. deep.