Fuel for the Fireplace?
November 18, 2014 5:57 PM Subscribe
Last year I burned "fake" logs made out of coffee grounds to great effect. This year - the company has "new and improved" logs which don't seem to throw as much heat. Any suggestions on what else I can burn in the fireplace?
I can't burn firewood because my wife doesn't like the smell/odor it gives off, but was perfectly content with the coffee-based version.
Any suggestions on how to simply get more heat out of the fireplace? Not too interested in an insert/stove/expensive upgrade at this stage.
I can't burn firewood because my wife doesn't like the smell/odor it gives off, but was perfectly content with the coffee-based version.
Any suggestions on how to simply get more heat out of the fireplace? Not too interested in an insert/stove/expensive upgrade at this stage.
I spent a long evening around a campfire talking with a heating engineer, I've pretty much not used a fireplace since that night 30 years ago.
As jon1270 stated, a fireplace doesn't heat your house, it does a great job of making it generally colder. Yes, there's some radiant heat you can feel as the fire creates a draft that pulls warm air up your chimney, sucking in cold air from whatever airleak it can. It's a net loss of heat..
As to what to burn, the priorities should be:
1. Whatever doesn't cause a buildup of creosote in your chimney
2. Whatever is easiest to use to light/build fires
3. Whatever is most attractive.
Going for "Whatever burns hottest" is a lost cause...
If you own this house and plan to stay in it, a fireplace insert will pay for its self pretty quickly. If you actually use it to heat the house, it could be paid for in a couple of years. If you just use it to block that flow of hot air that's leaving your house 24/7, it still is a net gain in the long run.
posted by HuronBob at 3:51 AM on November 19, 2014
As jon1270 stated, a fireplace doesn't heat your house, it does a great job of making it generally colder. Yes, there's some radiant heat you can feel as the fire creates a draft that pulls warm air up your chimney, sucking in cold air from whatever airleak it can. It's a net loss of heat..
As to what to burn, the priorities should be:
1. Whatever doesn't cause a buildup of creosote in your chimney
2. Whatever is easiest to use to light/build fires
3. Whatever is most attractive.
Going for "Whatever burns hottest" is a lost cause...
If you own this house and plan to stay in it, a fireplace insert will pay for its self pretty quickly. If you actually use it to heat the house, it could be paid for in a couple of years. If you just use it to block that flow of hot air that's leaving your house 24/7, it still is a net gain in the long run.
posted by HuronBob at 3:51 AM on November 19, 2014
Irish Peat bricks.
The bricks are made from the dirt of the Irish Bog, which is so rich in organic materials that the bricks burn really well and have a wonderful aroma.
Anyone who has been to Ireland will know this smell immediately. These bricks burn hot and steady for hours each. If you have never sat by a peat brick fire, you are missing something nice.
posted by Flood at 4:02 AM on November 19, 2014 [4 favorites]
The bricks are made from the dirt of the Irish Bog, which is so rich in organic materials that the bricks burn really well and have a wonderful aroma.
Anyone who has been to Ireland will know this smell immediately. These bricks burn hot and steady for hours each. If you have never sat by a peat brick fire, you are missing something nice.
posted by Flood at 4:02 AM on November 19, 2014 [4 favorites]
If you have a bit more to spend, here is a link to buy real hand-cut Irish peat bricks (rather than processed bricks)
posted by Flood at 4:09 AM on November 19, 2014
posted by Flood at 4:09 AM on November 19, 2014
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posted by jon1270 at 6:21 PM on November 18, 2014 [2 favorites]