Chimney Pots / Chimney Pot Articles

Chimney Pot Articles

Count Rumford’s Essay IV, on Chimney Fireplaces 


Of this description are all those chimney pots with flat horizontal plates or roofs placed upon supporters just above the opening of the pot; and most of the caps which turn with the wind are not much better. – One of the most simple contrivances that can be made use of, and which in most cases will be found to answer the purpose intended as well or better than more complicated machinery, is to cover the top of the chimney with a hollow truncated pyramid or cone, the diameter of which above, or opening for the passage of the smoke, is about 10 or l 1 inches. This pyramid, or cone (for either will answer), should be of earthenware or of cast-iron; its perpendicular height may be equal to the diameter of its opening above, and the diameter of its opening below equal to three times its height. It should be placed upon the top of the chimney, and it may be contrived so as to make a handsome finish to the brickwork. Where several flues come out near each other, or in the same stack of chimneys, the form of a pyramid will be better than that of a cone for these covers.


Count Rumford, 1796

AJ Downing’s Essay on Chimney Pots

“The chimney-tops, in all countries where fires are used, are decidedly expressive of purpose, as they are associated with all our ideas of warmth, the cheerful fireside, and the social winter circle.

As chimney-tops are thus so essential a part of dwelling-houses, we should endeavor to render them pleasing objects, and increase their importance by making, them ornamental. The clumsy mass of bricks should be enlivened and rendered elegant by varying its form, ornamenting its sides and summit, or separating the whole into distinct flues, forming a cluster, in modes of which there are a multitude of suitable examples in the various styles of architecture.

The chimney-tops generally occupy the highest portions of the roof, breaking against the sky boldly, and if enriched, will not only increase the expression of purpose, but add also to the picturesque beauty of the composition.”

A.J. Downing, Victorian Cottage Residences, 1861