What do I need for an open fire?

Apodemus

loveka wrote: »

We are getting all the work done to the chimney etc to ready it for a wood burning stove, so the chimney will be in perfect condition.

It's the installation and cost of the stove that we can't afford now, so even a cheap one would need installing.

I just don't know what I am meant to actually put in the opening to make it work. Is a cowl important for an open fire to work?

In most cases, the chimney work is the expensive bit. If you really have got all that done, the installation itself shouldn't cost that much.

If by "ready it for a wood burning stove" you are not including the installlation of a liner, some sort of cap to stop the rain coming down and register plate, then you have not actually readied it for a wood burning stove.

All that aside, if the chimney is sound, just light a fire and see what happens. We used to have a fireplace that didn't have a basket - it smoked a wee bit at first until the heat built up, then was fine. Works better with some form of basket, though.

-taff

Also, buy a chimney balloon to block the chimney when you haven't got a fire going otherwise all the heat in the room will be sucked out.

27cool

In view of all the stuff recently on the news about air pollution due to the increasing use of wood burning stoves. The idea of resurrecting a 1750 fireplace seems at best, to be a bit antisocial. Even if it is not illegal.

Grenage

27cool wrote: »

In view of all the stuff recently on the news about air pollution due to the increasing use of wood burning stoves. The idea of resurrecting a 1750 fireplace seems at best, to be a bit antisocial. Even if it is not illegal.

I could stop using my open fire, and everyone else could stop burning rubbish, driving, being wasteful. By choosing not to have children, I figure we've basically made the best choice for the environment, and can do as we please. Let he without sin, and all that.

OP: If the smoke goes up and out, doesn't enter your neighbours house (if you have one), doesn't blow back into your house, and doesn't come out a crack upstairs - you're probably ok.

loveka

27cool wrote: »

In view of all the stuff recently on the news about air pollution due to the increasing use of wood burning stoves. The idea of resurrecting a 1750 fireplace seems at best, to be a bit antisocial. Even if it is not illegal.

Oh my word you, a random stranger on the internet, has made me see the error of my ways! I am going to board up my inglenook fireplace.

FreeBear

loveka wrote: »

Oh my word you, a random stranger on the internet, has made me see the error of my ways!

Give me a few minutes to grab my chainsaw (big, noisy petrol jobbie) and I'll go and chop a few trees down.