Solid-fuel experience built over generations
Help with Parkray and older solid-fuel heating
Bumfords installed thousands of solid-fuel appliances and heating systems across South Yorkshire’s mining communities. Today we help owners identify older equipment, source available spare parts or assess conversion to a modern heating system.
South Yorkshire solid-fuel heritage
We installed them then—and understand what replacing them involves now
Throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, solid fuel played a major role in homes across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and the surrounding coalfield. Bumfords became a major installer of room heaters, back boilers and complete solid-fuel central-heating systems, including work connected with the Coal Board in miners’ homes.
As heating needs changed, our team went on to replace or convert hundreds of those systems to mains gas and off-grid fuels such as LPG and oil. That long experience helps us look beyond the visible appliance to the chimney, pipework, radiators, hot-water cylinder, tanks, controls and the future use of the fireplace opening.
A genuine Bumfords conversion
From an older solid-fuel appliance to a modern electric fire
This video follows the Bumfords team removing an existing solid-fuel room heater and preparing the fireplace before fitting a modern electric fire and surround.
It illustrates why removal is not simply a matter of taking out the visible appliance. The surrounding fireplace, chimney opening and any connected heating or hot-water components must be understood before the appropriate replacement route is agreed.
Example project footage. The appropriate removal and replacement route depends on the appliance, chimney, connected system and property.
Two ways we may be able to help
Keep the appliance—or replace the heating system
Start with photographs and the basic details. We can then direct the enquiry towards parts identification, further investigation or a replacement-heating assessment.
Route 01
I need a spare part
For an older Parkray, Dunsley, Charnwood, Trianco, Baxi Burnall, Rayburn, Coalbrookdale or another solid-fuel appliance.
- Glass panels and door glass
- Firebars, grate bars and grate frames
- Firebricks, liners and baffle plates
- Ashpans, handles, catches and seals
- Other identifiable model-specific parts
Route 02
I want to replace the appliance or system
For local properties considering removal of a room heater, back boiler or solid-fuel central-heating appliance.
- Assess the existing heating and hot water
- Check whether mains gas is available
- Consider LPG, oil, electric or another suitable route
- Plan new boiler positioning and pipework
- Consider the chimney and fireplace afterward
Replacing solid-fuel heating
The appliance is only one part of the conversion
Replacing an older solid-fuel boiler is rarely a simple appliance swap. The original system may include gravity circulation, older radiators, open-vented pipework, tanks, a cylinder and a fireplace arrangement designed around the solid-fuel unit.
We assess the complete requirement before recommending a modern route. A combi boiler may be suitable in some homes; others may need a system boiler, retained cylinder or an off-grid fuel solution.
Solid-fuel appliance spares
Need glass, firebars or another replacement component?
Bumfords can investigate the availability of spare parts for many older appliances, including discontinued models. Enquiries are welcome from throughout the UK.
Important: Parts availability cannot be guaranteed. Identification from photographs remains provisional until the model, dimensions and manufacturer information have been checked. Safety-critical, flue-connected or water-connected work should be carried out by an appropriately competent person.
Brands encountered over the decades
Experience across a wide range of solid-fuel appliances
Our historic work included appliances from established British and European manufacturers. Individual models and parts availability vary.
From the Bumfords archive
Original advertising from our solid-fuel years
These surviving adverts document the place solid-fuel heating held in the company and in local homes.
The Bumfords showroom at Christmas—a glimpse of the business and appliance displays customers would have visited.
Bumfords solid-fuel advertising from the 1970s.
Period advertising for solid-fuel heating services.
A surviving Bumfords appliance advertisement.
Historic Bumfords heating promotion.
Period room-heater advertising.
Installation and repair services from the Bumfords archive.
A controlled first step
How we handle an older-appliance enquiry
Send the evidence
Provide appliance photographs, markings, model information and the reason for the enquiry.
Review the likely route
We assess whether this is a parts enquiry, a local survey or work outside our current scope.
Confirm the next step
We explain what can be identified, what further information is required and what cannot be guaranteed.
Supply or assess
Where suitable, we source the part or arrange a local replacement-heating assessment.
Common questions
Older solid-fuel appliances
Can you identify my Parkray or other solid-fuel appliance?
Often we can narrow down the manufacturer and model from the badge, controls, door pattern, data plate and full-appliance photographs. Identification from photographs is not guaranteed, so please send every marking you can find.
Can you obtain parts for discontinued models?
Some original, manufacturer-approved or suitable replacement components remain available for older models. Others are obsolete. We will check the information supplied, but availability and compatibility must be confirmed for each enquiry.
Do you still install new solid-fuel heating systems?
This page primarily supports owners of existing appliances, parts enquiries and replacement-heating assessments. Send the project details before assuming that a new solid-fuel installation falls within our current scope.
Can you replace a solid-fuel boiler with a gas boiler?
Where mains gas and the property arrangement are suitable, gas may be an option. We also assess LPG, oil, electric and other appropriate routes for off-grid homes. The existing heating, hot-water system, chimney and proposed boiler position must be considered first.
What happens to the fireplace after the appliance is removed?
That depends on the chimney, opening and intended finish. Some customers choose an electric fire, a decorative opening or separate specialist fireplace work. Tell us your intended result when requesting a survey.
Start with photographs and the appliance details
Ask Bumfords about your solid-fuel appliance
Whether you need an older part or want to replace the entire heating system, send the information once and we will direct it towards the most suitable next step.