Couperman Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Mr Sweepy dude is coming on Thursday. I think we will go for a firebasket arrangement to see if we like the fire as it will be relatively cheap to rip the unused gas fire out and whack the grate in. To fit a stove would require knocking the chimney breast back out to make the opening bigger etc. And we are not allowed to burn wood anyhow. I think we would use as a supplement to the heating rather than an alternative. I will take advise from Mr Sweepy dude before we buy anything. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 In our last house, we had a woodburner which we put in when we ripped out an old LPG fire with a back-boiler. The chimney came out the back of the stove, through the wall, and into the chimney itself, if you see how I mean. It sounds odd because I'm not explaining it well, but actually lots of stoves are fitted that way. If you look at pictures of gas-fire stoves then they're invariably set up like that. I'm just adding that to show that you might not need to rip the fireplace apart to install a stove, if it makes a difference to you. Am sure your chimney-man will know all the details! It's a great idea, am sure you'll be really glad of whatever you install. Although you may find yourself wasting evenings staring aimlessly at the fire with your mouth hanging open.....that could juse be me, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Multi fuel burner fan here.......... having lived for 25 years with only gas central heating and no potential, without huge outlay for open fire or woodburner, . we moved here, no central heating, no gas, 1 dilapidated multiburner. WE love it rarely use CH we have 27ft lounge and it heats that and the dining hall and sends heat up the stairs (although it does depend on the wind direction to be honest) we wouldn't be without it. we are spending quite a bit on wood & coal at the moment, but we have a load of quality wood seasoning. From next winter it should work out cheaper, I think forward planning and bulk buying are the keys to keeping costs down. I am wary of burning all & sundry,concern about vopours and chimney fires, I am probably being over cautious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I think trying an open fire first is a really good idea. btw, we're in a smokeless zone - but because our stove has a multifuel thingy we can burn wood. Not all stoves are multifuel, so if you do decide to investigate, it's worth asking about, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surferdog Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 This is fun. 3D room designer lets you replicate your room and see what your chosen stove/fireplace would look like in it. http://www.charnwood.com/stove-selector.asp# Thanks for raising this topic Couperman. We're looking into replacing our open flame gas fire with an open fire so are following this thread with interest. Had reached stalemate with OH wanting a woodburning stove which I didn't think would go with the room. I'm now reconsidering having seen some of the funky scandinavian designs. (Just need to work out how to bring it up without letting OH think he's won an argument ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickweed Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 All through the year we collect twigs and branches from our garden to use on the open fires in winter. The twigs make great kindling. Our neighbours give us stuff to burn too. It saves them a drive to the tip, time and fuel. Everyone's a winner! The downside is that our garage is a complete mess for most of the year, even though most of the wood is stored in open cardboard boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Sorry, no tips on woodburners but I wish we had one. (I thought this was going to be a follow-up to the fully armed cat story hope you're feeling better, Kev) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Hi Kev. Multifuel burner convert here. We had ours installed on Dec 19th and LOVE it. We are a smokeless zone too so had to go for a Defra-approved one/ That makes them more expensive as Defra testing costs lots. Ourard barely old fire even when burning hard barely heated the room as the draw on the chimney was so good. Now however it is amazing!!!. Using a mix of smokeless and wood - great fun and I am married to the epitome of pyromaniacy(?) - a fireman!! He gets lots of fire tending to do with it too. Ours is a Stanford Harmony 23. We still have other opne fires. We thought that the way gas prices were going, plus I don't trust Putin. ......so plunged Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 From the title, this post was not as I expected... (*Puts away paintball gun*) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 have a look at a Jetmaster open fire too. Some of the poshest hotels have the larger models so must be good. I think the factory is in Birmingham but we got ours here in Abingdon - we found a price on the 'net and the company matched it. We have one and it's very controllable as it has a chimney damper plus vents for pushing the hot air back into the room. We got the multi-fuel one and tend to use a mixture of logs and smokeless coal. Over Christmas and the New Year it never went out. I just adjusted the damper so it was nearly closed, then opened it the next morning and put a few bits of kindling on the red coals to get it going again. We had a 2 hour power cut at Christmas too and it was great to sit there with the candles and know we could stay warm with the fire! Now we are back at work, I tend just to use it at weekends but it's nice to have back up if we need it. When you aren't using it, you close the damper and so not warm air escapes up the chimney. Since we got ours, 3 neighbours have also got the same model so like chickens, real fires are infectious! Go for it - you won't regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 If you are looking at occasional use only, I would just carry on doing what you already are and have an open fire, just to see how you get on with it. It is the cheaper option if you are not sure. You can burn wood in a smokeless area, as long as it is in a cleanburn woodburner or multifuel stove. There was an interesting website uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk which doesn't appear to be working any more, or try http://www.smokecontrolareas.co.uk for info (and a link to the non working website ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 oops -Jetmaster is based in Southampton not Birmingham - email is jetmaster.co.uk or google Jetmaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I forgot to add that my Villager stove is multifuel and a clean burn too, with all sorts of vents to regulate the burn intensity; couldn't be happier with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 I was lucky enough to move into a house with a fully functioning fireplace. I had it swept (and tested for smoke leakage I think?) and I was away. I love my fire. I'm not too fussy about cleaning it out, when I'm using it a lot I just use a dust pan and brush to remove the old debris before lighting it again. I give it a proper clean out when I've stopped using it for the summer. I'd get a woodburner if I had a bit of spare cash, but it's a little way down my list at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 You won't regret a stove of either type. Mine was fitted last week (although I can't light it til tomorrow when the chimney goes through thte roof) and it's GORGEOUS. It'll heat upstairs too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 I have an open fire in the living room and a 50 year old rayburn oven in the kitchen - I am a complete fan. I burn mostly wood and smokeless fuel on the open fire and taybrite on the rayburn. If they are both lit I genuinely don't need the heating on at all. The Rayburn heats more efficiently and heats up the whole of the kitchen and the room above - it literally does heat the house (although I have only just overcome my fear of setting the house on fire!). I use them most when I am at home at the week end or school holidays - it means the gas bill doesn't have any surprises and the coal is paid for up fronbt - I stored enough logs and sticks over the summer and have not needed to buy any (yet) this winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 You won't regret a stove of either type. Don't encourage me! My motto this year is "Learning to live within my means" and I'm not very good at it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted January 15, 2009 Author Share Posted January 15, 2009 Yay, Sweepy dude has just left after having swept the chimney. He said the chimney is fine so we are ready to rock! Just need to have a firebasket made at the local Iron mongers and we are in business. I am really tempted to spark up the barbie to test it Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 (edited) we bought a shed the other day from Atlas Sheds. I asked if they had any leftover wood they didn't want (for our raised beds) but they mulch it and turn it into blocks for firewood. It might be worth checking out your local shed place to see if they do anything similar. Not sure how much the blocks were but they might be cheap, you never know ETA- this is the stuff http://www.atlassheds.co.uk/SpecialsDetail.asp?ProductID=101&CategoryID=48&ShedStyle=Apex Edited January 15, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Brilliant news Kev We'll all be round to toast marshmallows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Fantastic! You just need to hope for some really grim weather now.....!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Fantastic!You just need to hope for some really grim weather now.....!! I dont think that will be a problem, do you? we have a big enough livingroom, so if you bring your own toasting fork, you are more than welcome ooh, ive just thought, this gives me a great reason to make HFW's marshmallow cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Sweepy Dude???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Sweepy Dude???? i think his technical job description is Chimney sweep, but sweepy dude sounds much more exciting cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
