Open fire n00b questions

P-J-D_2

Moved recently to a place with open fire.. got numerous quetions probably but for starters... Bought some decent coal (I think).. unfortunately it also spits fragments out onto the new carpet occasionally.. is it really the case that you use a fire guard whenever loading or even all the time?? I haven't been into many houses with open fires lately, but don't remember that being de facto standard.. plus there is noticeable heat loss from fire guard (certainly the one I'm using, which has four segments that fold out).. So.. is it just a fact that your going to get much more carpet wear and tear.. or do you always keep the fireguard in place.. any other comments ??

Itismehonest

It's sensible to use a fireguard all the time if a room is carpeted or has wooden floors but people often choose not to be sensible
You really shouldn't leave an open fire unattended without a guard.
A thick old hearth rug over the carpet will help stop the odd singe but will just be more kindle if a large lump jumps out & you aren't there to pounce on it.

BTW Did you have the chimney checked or swept before lighting the fire?
I've known people new to properties who have lit fires to find out there is paper stuffed in cracks up the chimney (enter Fire Brigade) or that the chimney was blocked (exit houseowner) :rotfl:

smcqis

Use the fire guard at the start when you put it cos it will usually spark at start and and when it warms up it should slow down and stop

suisidevw

The fireguard on an open fire will SEVERELY restrict the warmth coming out into a room. We will put ours on if leaving the room etc, but if we are there adn wood and fuel are burning fine, will remove it and we have a wooden floor.

P-J-D_2

Itismehonest wrote: »

BTW Did you have the chimney checked or swept before lighting the fire?

Yes the estates maintenance man confirmed in email that it was done before I moved, however I dontt know how trustworthy he is.

suisidevw wrote: »

The fireguard on an open fire will SEVERELY restrict the warmth coming out into a room. We will put ours on if leaving the room etc, but if we are there adn wood and fuel are burning fine, will remove it and we have a wooden floor.

Exactly.. i put my hand on the outside of guard it feels 50% colder than on inside... just a waste of heat..

I think smcqis you are right, just didnt realise it was this way never seen people this before.. also coal burns down in as little as 30mins.. so top up.. guard for 10 mins.. top up again 20 mins.. and repeat

[I think the fire should have a way of controlling airflow, but it's not got a tray or anything underneath]

partan

that sounds like hard work...... i set mine with coal, let it heat up and burn down, then load up with peat, and alternate between the 2. occasionally use wood, but only if im goin to be sat in front of it in case of sparks. theres no tray under ours either, i was going to make one but just been using a bucket and small shovel is no problem.

jonewer

P-J-D wrote: »

Bought some decent coal (I think)..

Yeah... I dont think you have such decent coal if you're having trouble with spitting.

I have just been running my fire for two hours or so and not a single itsy tiny bit of spat on my carpet!

If you're like me, your coal merchant will be supplying the black stuff in pre-packed plastic bags of 20KG or 25KG weights. My advice is to compare the different brands from different coal suppliers and see what burns best, then weigh this against the price.

I buy 20Kg bags of coal branded "Pagan Marketing" which it turns out is dearer than another brand in blue plastic - about the same price for a 25Kg sack - but the coal is of widely variable sizes, some chunks are huge, and it spits like a chav.

Shop around a bit and see whats best.

By the way, theres no air control on most open fires. You control the temperature by how much fuel you put on.

Enjoy your lovely open fire!

smallblueplanet

P-J-D wrote: »

...
[I think the fire should have a way of controlling airflow, but it's not got a tray or anything underneath]

:think: Do you have an open fire with a grate but no ashpan?

Russ123_2

What i usually do is have the spark guard infront of the fire for the first 10 mins after that i don't bother, you will only block heating coming into the room.

With regards to coal, my experience is that only poor qulity coal and/or very cold coal splinters like that when added to a hot fire. I'm not entirely sure as i am no expert and have only come across it on the odd occassion.

I would shop arond at the various coal merchants and look for the best quality house coal you can get

partan

smallblueplanet wrote: »

:think: Do you have an open fire with a grate but no ashpan?

thats what i have, the new ones dont come with ashpans apparently, you can buy them for £30 ish tho.

Am burning premium coal at 14.50 per 50kg sack. good hot stuff.

A._Badger

If your coal is spitting it certainly isn't premium grade. Much of the pre-packed coal bought at garages and the like is of inferior quality and is smaller in size than coal bought loose from a coal merchant. If you want decent fuel, a coal merchant is the place to go, but even then shop around as they can vary in price by quite a bit.