Open fire or wood burner

CapricornLass

Well, I've had both an open fire and I've got a multifuel stove now, which we've always used to burn timber. Open fires are nice, but we found that the logs last much longer when they are being burnt in the stove - very important when its £200+ for a load!

However, the other reason we have a stove is that we have an alternative source of heat that isn't dependent on on using electricity to start, like our gas C.H does. We have lost power for hours at a time, and although my sons are now both strapping hairy a****d six-footers who are quite capable of being oblivious to the cold now, it was very important when they were toddlers that there was at least one room in the house that we could keep warm. Depending on how much room is above the stove, you can also heat water and things like tinned soup and beans on it when its lit. And even now, we leave the living room door open when we go to bed at night, just to let heat travel through the house. Its only a few degrees, granted, but a few degrees can make quite a difference.

Personally, I would get the chimney lined. The chimney should also have a cowl thingy put on top as well.

CapricornLass

Actually, not just for keeping toddlers warm. My parents had a woodburning stove installed for making sure they were able to keep one room in their house warm without being dependent on electricity - they are both in their eighties.

A._Badger

EssexExile wrote: »

Having been brought up in an age when an open fire was the only source of heat, I wouldn't have either. Oh the luxury of central heating! I've got gas fires if I need instant heat.

Which just shows how different we all are. I was also brought up in a world of coal fires and oil heaters - and I hate central heating with a passion.I don't think soulless gas fires are much better, either.

I'm not at all surprised to see so many people opening up their fireplaces, nor the number of pubs and restaurants that boast of real fires as an attraction.

Different strokes, I suppose.

ericonabike

I'm a total woodburning convert. My wife wanted one and I went along for a quiet life, thinking it would be little more than a home 'fashion accessory'. Memories of open fires in our early married life and at my parents' house, did little to dissuade me from that. But three years on, I would not be without it. Our Stovax 6kw throws so much heat into our open plan lounge, dining room and kitchen that we have to leave hall door ajar on all but coldest nights.

Very little hassle either - morning routine is to rub damp newspaper or the glass to clean it, lay it 'top down' - big bits at bottom, then smaller chunks, then paper then kindling - and it's good to relight when needed. Takes at most 5 minutes. When lit, gets to optimum temperature in around 15 minutes.

We have been able to get all our wood free, so the economics also make sense. If you're having to pay for wood or smokjeless fuel, then gas would win on economic grounds, but you'd lose the pleasure of watching a real fire. If we ever more, losing the stove would be the biggest wrench!

Cardew

A._Badger wrote: »

An open fire also has aesthetic advantages such as the smell, sound and 'presence' of flames in a grate, which you lose with a stove.

Totally agree!


Even on a Money Saving website there are some things that are simply an indulgence, and to hell with efficiency!


I remember vividly toasting some bread on the open fire to the utter astonishment of my 3 year old son, who was convinced it was produced by some sleight of hand on my part. - 'its a trick daddy isn't it?'

silverwhistle

Actually those of us who have stoves with nice big glass doors would argue they have presence too, a faint hissing sometimes and just enough wood smell from when the door is opened for refueling.

I had a stove installed this summer and, apart from during a visit by aged parent, have only had the central heating on once. I burn some briquettes but all my wood is sourced free so far, although that does involve a bit of physical labour. No need for a gym membership! The stove heats the lounge and then I open the doors so the rest of the house benefits. I've even cooked on the top and shoved a kettle on when I slightly over-fueled and it was burning a bit too hot.

The glass is cleaned with a kitchen towel just to remove the sort of vague haze like you get on car windscreens. Ash is only emptied, no reduced, about every two weeks: remember you actually want a bed of ash if you are burning wood.

I don't 'slumber' my stove over-night as that would cause inefficient burning and more pollution, but there is enough residual heat in the stove and chimney breast for the lounge to still be warmer in the morning.

Smiley_Dan

Cardew wrote: »

I remember vividly toasting some bread on the open fire...

You can do that on a stove. Works on the same principle as making toast on an Aga. Can be a bit tricky depending on the implement you use to hold the toast.

chickens11

I use to have woodburners but find they are quite messy and burn logs like I drink tea.....
Ive got my open fire now and love it , I do get my own free wood and never have to burn wet logs , I buy my large lump house coal by the local coal merchant at "summer prices" , I usually light ny fire around 4 pm time and start it with kindling and about 3 large lumps they burn hot and slow nicely and use about 3 or 4 logs , I have fire a light til about 9 , so its very cheap to have my fire alight , and yea the crackle of wood and those lovely flames is all you need........Ive got GCH which I use as and when needed during the day , but nothing beats my open fire of a evening ......

.Im only using the one room of a night so I dont need the central heating on to heat rooms im not in... I have my chimney swept every March...........I find it hard to believe that lots of people say that one woodburner will heat a whole house without rads , ive yet to see that unless they think that 10 degrees in all the other rooms "is heat ".............Yes and I do put my bread and crumpets on my toasting fork on the fire , ooh lovely with a bit of butter dripping everywhere....:D Definitely open fire for me .......

Cardew

chickens11 wrote: »

I buy my large lump house coal by the local coal merchant at "summer prices" , I usually light ny fire around 4 pm time and start it with kindling and about 3 large lumps they burn hot and slow nicely and use about 3 or 4 logs , ..

If you feel like indulging yourself, buy a Grenadier electric firelighter.


No need for paper or kindling just place wood or coal in grate and point nozzle at fire and bingo.


See video here:


http://www.grenadier.co.uk/electric_firelighter.php

chickens11

Cardew....Thanks for the info on the Grenadier electric fire lighter, I will check out the pries on flea bay tonight , I do have to pay for kindling wood , but it may well work out cheaper to buy the Grenadier in the long run , have you used one of those ?.....Thanks....:D