Going back to open fires

CKhalvashi

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Big drawback with open fires is they are so inefficient, so much heat escapes up the chimney (to be replaced by cold draughts coming into the house)

There are means and ways around that, such as part of the top of the chimney effectively blocked, only leaving room for the smoke and minimal heat to come out.

We are able to get our hands on large amounts of free wood, though, so it doesn't affect me as much as others, perhaps.

CK

A._Badger

In my experience the theoretical disadvantages of open fires are often exaggerated.

In one of my previous houses (a 1920s semi) the tiny fireplace could produce so much heat that it made the room uncomfortable. An open door would be necessary and the surplus heat made a tangible difference to the rest of the house. It was in a fairly cold location, too, at the top of a very steep hill.

The big advantage of an open fire is the amount of radiant heat it gives out (the sound and flame pattern are nice, too) and it delivers heat quite quickly - far quicker than a cast iron stove, for example.

I use stoves and I like them a lot, but a good open fire takes a lot of beating.

geoff2

A._Badger wrote: »

... but a good open fire takes a lot of beating.

Couldn't agree more! Who cares whether it heats the whole house? A crackling log fire, cat/dog stretched out roasting in front of it, glass of port, newspaper, gently ticking grandfather clock, TV off, rest of the world shut out - utter bliss!