There's nothing quite like an open fire......

[Woolly]

A recent chimney fire and burnt through liner (fortunately nothing worse) has forced a rethink on our open fireplace. Replacing the old pipe liner, which should be at least 9" for an open fire, will not be straightforward in a stone farmhouse - much easier to fit a 6" flexible liner.

Everyone says a woodburner is far more efficient, but parents would not be happy as there's nothing like an open fire in an inglenook ......

Has anyone tried a woodburner/ fireplace which you can operate with doors open for a fireplace effect, or closed as an efficient woodburner?

TIA

 

[SilliamWhale]

Your losing lots of heat from a fireplace

 

[Robigus]

Having grown up in a lovely thatched cottage with a big inglenook, where the only limit to log size was what you could carry, I was not a fan of wood burners. But when we did this house up the dearly beloved was insistent.
Having seen other peoples' woodburners, with fussy little metal lattice doors and tiny windows that were smoked black, my only input was that we had to have one with a large single glass pane in the door.
The heat out put compared to a jet master open fire that it replaced is staggeringly higher, and the wood consumption is dramatically reduced.
It really is a win-win, I wouldn't go back.

 

[Notquiteretired]

We were brought up with coal fires and remember the magnetic attraction on cold days to warm the ar$e and a sneaky chance to pull the front of some's jeans who got to the fire before you to get them to move faster.

 

[Lincsman]

They are far more efficient, because of the massive lump of metal radiating heat rather than the draft rushing the heat up the chimney.

 

[JP1]

Big vote for Westfire here

 

[JohnGalway]

We got in a stove lately, burn turf and peat briquettes in it so far. Plan to source timber for next year. Previously we had an open fire, burning much the same along with coal etc. Most of the downstairs is open plan, so the utility, the kitchen, the sitting room, the stairs and large upstairs landing are one room you could say. Last Winter with the open fire I had to live in my fleece, herself would have bedclothes on the couch.

Now, I'm mostly in a tshirt with the stove. Herself still has the blanket but that's women for you.

I wouldn't go back to an open fire, ever, ever, ever.

 

[Loftyrules]

These guys are ex farmers http://www.woodwarmstoves.co.uk/aboutus.ashx I am very impressed with the stove I had installed a few weeks ago

 

[Robigus]

Our's is a 'Glaisdale' from http://www.townandcountryfires.co.uk/
British built. Good company with a poorly photographed brochure.

 

[Woolly]

Anyone got a Jetmaster fireplace?
It has a warm air chamber behind it that lets cold air in at the bottom then convects warm air out of the top into the room. Fire is said to be about 50% efficient - which good for an open fire.

 

[tomlad]

We finally re lined the flue for the main range stove.
We use isocorne. ? Pumice liner . Solid lengths. Very dear . I believe a do it once and forget. Or at least said the sales man ..!

Me and a builder mate fitted it all .
I think better than a flexible.

I'm told the stove to buy is a 'clear view ' UK built welded not cast
My mum's fitted a stove last year. It's far to small only holds a tiny amount of wood . some thing to think about.
The shop that sold the liner in Poulton le fylde sells a stove I'm really impressed with he says he designed it. ?
Very nice stove . I'll have details some were

I'd never fit a open fire. I think only for looking at. .....
Regards tom

 

[Woolly]

Thanks to All. Keep 'em coming!

Anyone got a Dovre with opening doors?

 

[carbonfibre farmer]

Woodburner every time. The difference from an open fire doesn't compare.
Put one in 2yrs ago to replace a smallish open fire with back boiler.
opened fireplace right up, sorted a few problems and fitted good size Woodburner. 22kw
Heats the room toasty and 7 rads and bloody great imersion tank.
Should have done it years ago.
Uses a fair bit more wood but a fair upsize in output so expected.
Open fire still other end of house, i have plans...................

 

[Woolly]

...22kw
Heats the room toasty and 7 rads and bloody great imersion tank.
...
Uses a fair bit more wood but a fair upsize in output so expected.

That's some output

How much wood does it burn in a winter? I take it you don't run it in the summer...

 

[carbonfibre farmer]

That's some output

How much wood does it burn in a winter? I take it you don't run it in the summer...

I do seem to spend a fair bit of time with the major and ancient sawbench during the winter. Only really starting using it this week properly.
I have a dog food bag system........(don't ask!)
If burning allday and into the evening (5-6am start) then 2 bags is enough to be toasty all the time. If only start first thing then get going mid afternoon, just over 1 bag enough.

Tank has electric element so hot water summer time when woodburner off.

Similar to Robigus, single door with no fancy lattice work.

It is quite a cheap and cheerful one though. Place up the road from us. Branch in Scotland too IIRC.

Don't need rads singing hot, if ticking along keeps the house lovely. Mind i do like it colder than OH! All those yrs of ice on inside of bedroom windows hardened me off............

No problem with ice now

 

[Woolly]

...
If burning allday and into the evening (5-6am start) then 2 bags is enough to be toasty all the time. If only start first thing then get going mid afternoon, just over 1 bag enough.
...

So how big is a dog bag..?!
How many dog bags in a cube (1m3)?
Sounds lovely!

 

[Oldmacdonald]

I do seem to spend a fair bit of time with the major and ancient sawbench during the winter. Only really starting using it this week properly.
I have a dog food bag system........(don't ask!)
If burning allday and into the evening (5-6am start) then 2 bags is enough to be toasty all the time. If only start first thing then get going mid afternoon, just over 1 bag enough.

Tank has electric element so hot water summer time when woodburner off.

Similar to Robigus, single door with no fancy lattice work.

It is quite a cheap and cheerful one though. Place up the road from us. Branch in Scotland too IIRC.

Don't need rads singing hot, if ticking along keeps the house lovely. Mind i do like it colder than OH! All those yrs of ice on inside of bedroom windows hardened me off............

No problem with ice now

Where did you buy yours?

 

[carbonfibre farmer]

So how big is a dog bag..?!
How many dog bags in a cube (1m3)?
Sounds lovely!

Dog bag is plastic 20kg plastic bag. Like to reuse things......
How many in a cube??

No idea, stones and hundred weights here.

This is deepest darkest narrfolk.

 

[carbonfibre farmer]

Where did you buy yours?

http://www.naturalheating.co.uk/Mobile/MBSCCatalog.asp

 

[tomlad]

We use sacks
some dog biscuit 
a spud box lasts about 2 to 3 week
I think the small stove of my mum's is 5 kw
I think
any bigger needed a air brick?
I'd buy bigger.