There was a time when almost every home had a roaring fireplace in the kitchen. Those fireplaces of days gone by were all about function than style. People used them to cook, heat their water and huddle around on a cold winter's night.
With the advent of the stove and the hot water heater, kitchen fireplaces all but disappeared. These days, perhaps because the kitchen really is becoming the heart of the home again for many busy families, the kitchen fireplace is making a big comeback.
In the 21st century kitchen the fireplace is often there for purely aesthetic purposes. Many people are finding that both the joy of fireplace cooking and the energy savings a real wood burning fireplace can bring appealing as well.
Adding a kitchen fireplace to your home does not mean that, if you prefer a modern and contemporary look, you suddenly have to try and embrace the country kitchen look. Many models available today are sleek and futuristic looking and will match your shiny stainless steel appliances beautifully. Then again, if traditional is the look you love, there are modern kitchen fireplace options that will blend in perfectly as well.
Adding a fireplace to your kitchen does raise a number of safety concerns though. For that reason the installation of any kitchen fireplace is definitely a job for the professionals. You should also make sure you do your homework before you even purchase one, to ensure that the kitchen fireplace you are considering is suitable for use in your house.