Ophelia wrote:
>
>
> "cshenk" wrote in message
> ...
>
> rosie wrote:
>
> > On Monday, November 26, 2018 at 8:59:57 AM UTC-6, cshenk wrote:
> >> Working out how to share a photo. Nothing fancy here, just my
> >> backyard and some of the wood pile
> > >
> > >
>
https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/...EcXJfBAiPMs5HM
> >
> > Some years here it is never cool enough for a fire. This year
> > however, we have had more than a few all ready, we bought a nice
> > truckload of seasoned oak and it is cut and stacked and right now a
> > nice fire is blazing away. Rosie
>
> We've had 2 already. We'd have had one today but too many plans
> involving getting pets to vet appointments and such. Tommorrow Don
> plans to light it off by 8am (maybe earlier) as it will be 22F
> (windchill) tonight. We are still running over 45F or so in the highs
> during the day.
>
> Would you or any others like the tips I have learned on how to
> effectively use a fireplace? I am sure others can add to it (thereby
> enhancing my knowledge too!).
>
> ==
>
> I would enjoy reading that, so please do?
Ok! No particular order here and some is opinion
I'm talking fireplaces only, there is a large diiference with wood
stoves not considered here.
Placement/Design- It won't work too well if the house isn't a fairly
'open design'. My friend Susan for example has one in her dining room.
The dining room is open to the kitchen but that's it. Since that isn't
a central living space for them, they would have safety issues with a
fireplace in a room only occupied sporadically as she cooks and the
heat can't effectively reach the primary spaces. Basically 'no gain'.
If the house isnt designed right to take advantage of it, then skip it.
- My livingroom is where the fireplace is and that is the primary
living space. It's open to the kitchen and a direct shot to the hall
where the bedrooms are (they will be chilly if only using fireplace the
few times we have needed to do that but not too horrible).
Real heat factor- It's really the hot bricks radiating that add true
heat. The brickwork should extend quite a bit about the sides and top.
(Reminder to self, snap a picture of mine). It takes several hours to
have the bricks truely warm so that is why you saw me mention lighting
one off at 8am. The temp was just barely 32F then and the high of 42
was nice for that 1 hour (grin). That takes a few hours to develop but
also takes several to radiate out competely so when you let it die out
to go to bed, you will have residual heat of varying levels for as much
as 7 hours (not much for the last 3 but gives you a start on reheating
in the morning)
- Backsplash - Classic is often Cast Iron which is placed at the back
and can often be angled a bit to maximize heat relection. I actually
use a cheap one off Amazon that is a 3 sided shiny metal and it makes a
huge difference
- Forced air pumps (electric) into the room. I do not like them. When
we got the house we had to repair a section of missing brick where one
was and all it did in the end was cause a spark safety issue from our
stance. Effective looking though are the simple tubular log holders
that use no power but gently blow hot air back into the room (I do not
have one).
Laying the fire- First you need to experiment with your own draw up the
flu. In my case I need to set a fire in the grate fairly towards the
back wall or we get a lot of smoke in the room. We also know what
damper setting is just right for us based on flu draw. We have 5
settings on our damper (other than completely closed). 3 is just right
for us here. This skill set will vary with the winds and such of your
own design but until you get it right, you will find getting a fire to
start and then maintain with little bother, to be tricky.
- Start with smaller 1/4 cut pieces and so there is a little air space
between them with the top ones 'angled across a bit' so you don't block
that airflow off.
- Underneath on the brick, we use a small bit of firestarter and any
remaining coals from the previous fire. (here, some will still be
cherry red next morning). Add kindling at the bottom on top of those
coal bits and below the grate.
- Once well established and ready to add more logs, add 2 medium ones
then when the next set comes in, a banking log (as we call it) is in
order. Thats a larger 1/2 moon cut. From then on, you will somewhat
alternate between the bigger and smaller cuts you have.
Safety first- Have a good fire screen. Mine is on feet and flush to
the wall. The 'feet' are solid metal flat to the brick infront of the
fireplace so it can't fall over. It's fine holed enough to let heat
through but not sparks. We also have a fire resistant matt on the
floor before it that is 1 foot past each side of the actual fireplace
opening and 2feet deep.
- When shoveling out the 'ash' *never* assume all is 'dead'. We use a
bucket partly filed with water incase we catch a 'live cherry coal' in
there and didn't realize it. (obviously if a week later with no fire,
not an issue).
Anyways, that's all I am thinking of right now.