Tell me about… log burners
Discussion
A couple of years ago I put in a gas fire. I love it, it’s nothing like those fake 80s flashing light abominations you may think of, this thing looks perfectly real with proper flames and blasts out the heat, it even has a thermostat and a timer. Best thing is, it’s managed by remote control, so instant flames exactly like a real fire at the press of a button.
Now with the latest energy price scam and Vlad’s tanks I realise I am dependent on net zero idiots f
king up the power network, sacrificing good reliable coal and nuclear sourced power for unreliable eco lunacy like wind and solar, that will only become more unreliable as the wokies push further energy demands on a limited network such as EVs for example.
So I’m thinking of replacing my gas fire with a log burner, as there’s plenty of wood around here especially after the recent storms and that should mitigate some risk of an unreliable power network. How automated are they, I know real fires can be a lot more work than my current remote control.
Pollution is absolutely not a concern but convenience is, along with mitigating the risk of future energy price rises and power outages caused by net zero idiocy. I will also be looking into UPS’s and diesel generators separately for my electricity requirements. How do other PH directors manage ?
Now with the latest energy price scam and Vlad’s tanks I realise I am dependent on net zero idiots f
king up the power network, sacrificing good reliable coal and nuclear sourced power for unreliable eco lunacy like wind and solar, that will only become more unreliable as the wokies push further energy demands on a limited network such as EVs for example.So I’m thinking of replacing my gas fire with a log burner, as there’s plenty of wood around here especially after the recent storms and that should mitigate some risk of an unreliable power network. How automated are they, I know real fires can be a lot more work than my current remote control.
Pollution is absolutely not a concern but convenience is, along with mitigating the risk of future energy price rises and power outages caused by net zero idiocy. I will also be looking into UPS’s and diesel generators separately for my electricity requirements. How do other PH directors manage ?
Lexington59 said:
Now with the latest energy price scam and Vlad’s tanks I realise I am dependent on net zero idiots fking up the power network, sacrificing good reliable coal and nuclear sourced power for unreliable eco lunacy like wind and solar, that will only become more unreliable as the wokies push further energy demands on a limited network such as EVs for example.
An excellent summary!king up the power network, sacrificing good reliable coal and nuclear sourced power for unreliable eco lunacy like wind and solar, that will only become more unreliable as the wokies push further energy demands on a limited network such as EVs for example.Lexington59 said:
So I’m thinking of replacing my gas fire with a log burner, as there’s plenty of wood around here especially after the recent storms and that should mitigate some risk of an unreliable power network. How automated are they...
They're not. First you have to fill them with logs (not a button on a remote) and light them (not a button on a remote) then put more logs in as they burn down (not a button on a remote). So you'll have to get off your butt, or get the maid to do it... Lexington59 said:
How do other PH directors manage ?
Like all PHers I'm fabulously rich so can afford gas and electricity. The stove is just for fun and atmosphere in winter 
Simpo Two said:
Lexington59 said:
So I’m thinking of replacing my gas fire with a log burner, as there’s plenty of wood around here especially after the recent storms and that should mitigate some risk of an unreliable power network. How automated are they...
They're not. First you have to fill them with logs (not a button on a remote) and light them (not a button on a remote) then put more logs in as they burn down (not a button on a remote). So you'll have to get off your butt, or get the maid to do it... If you want something automated look up wood pellet stoves.
Otherwise, managing a wood burner (especially a smaller one) does take some effort/tinkering to get it burning right.
If you look at the cost of putting something in (stove, chimney lining & internal decoration & hearth etc) you are going to need some serious "man maths" to show a saving any time inside 2 decades!
Nice to have & will maybe make the house more saleable if you were planning to move any time in the next few years
Otherwise, managing a wood burner (especially a smaller one) does take some effort/tinkering to get it burning right.
If you look at the cost of putting something in (stove, chimney lining & internal decoration & hearth etc) you are going to need some serious "man maths" to show a saving any time inside 2 decades!
Nice to have & will maybe make the house more saleable if you were planning to move any time in the next few years
R56Cooper said:
My Mrs piped up the other day and suggested we get a log burner fitted to save money in view of the rising gas prices.
I'm all for it for the atmosphere but not sure paying £1.5-3k for the installation just to essentially heat one room makes any sense on a financial basis only.
I think you'd be surprised how much of a difference it makes. Our thermostat is downstairs and with the log burner burning for a few hours, the downstairs warms up enough that the heating then doesn't go on, which means it's cold upstairs when we go up to bed I'm all for it for the atmosphere but not sure paying £1.5-3k for the installation just to essentially heat one room makes any sense on a financial basis only.
AyBee said:
I think you'd be surprised how much of a difference it makes. Our thermostat is downstairs and with the log burner burning for a few hours, the downstairs warms up enough that the heating then doesn't go on, which means it's cold upstairs when we go up to bed
Right, you've sold it to me!
I know someone who had one installed. The first winter, it was amazing, every time I went round, it was glorious and warm. The next winter, he used it a handful of times. More recently, I don't think it's been on.
AyBee said:
I think you'd be surprised how much of a difference it makes. Our thermostat is downstairs and with the log burner burning for a few hours, the downstairs warms up enough that the heating then doesn't go on, which means it's cold upstairs when we go up to bed
I found that too, and got round it by having a second thermostat fitted upstairs, with a changeover switch.AyBee said:
I think you'd be surprised how much of a difference it makes. Our thermostat is downstairs and with the log burner burning for a few hours, the downstairs warms up enough that the heating then doesn't go on, which means it's cold upstairs when we go up to bed
How controllable should they be? Older couple, who seem perfectly capable people, just bought a refurbished house across the road from us, has a 20 x 15 ft living room, and they've taken the recently installed wood burner out as they said it made the room unbearable.We've had a logburner for over ten years.
Heat is generally great, however, dust is significant and bringing logs in from wherever they're stored is a continuous ball-ache.
Lighting the logs is straightforward provided you have decent kindling and firelighters which are yet another inconvenience.
The heat isn't very controllable, apart from adding logs or not...
If you just want something to add atmosphere and do the heavy lifting for living room heating then go for it, but don't delude yourself that it is in any way 'convenient' or clean!
Heat is generally great, however, dust is significant and bringing logs in from wherever they're stored is a continuous ball-ache.
Lighting the logs is straightforward provided you have decent kindling and firelighters which are yet another inconvenience.
The heat isn't very controllable, apart from adding logs or not...
If you just want something to add atmosphere and do the heavy lifting for living room heating then go for it, but don't delude yourself that it is in any way 'convenient' or clean!
Sheepshanks said:
How controllable should they be? Older couple, who seem perfectly capable people, just bought a refurbished house across the road from us, has a 20 x 15 ft living room, and they've taken the recently installed wood burner out as they said it made the room unbearable.
Sounds like they either went too big, using too much wood, have it turned up too high, or bought a crap log burner.Ours (Stovax) has a single control and on low with the right loading can tick out just enough heat for a very comfortable room without the CH on. Load it up and you can quite easily cook yourself if you wanted.
IMHO the crucial thing for the OP is how long he wants to heat the room for each day.
If it's only for a couple of hours in the evening, a log burner doesn't see worth the effort. Maybe it's just mine, but it seems to be a while before it really starts putting out heat. SO unless it's very cold, we don't bother in the evening in the week. In that case, instant gas heat would be much more sensible.
If you are running it all day then it makes more sense.
If it's only for a couple of hours in the evening, a log burner doesn't see worth the effort. Maybe it's just mine, but it seems to be a while before it really starts putting out heat. SO unless it's very cold, we don't bother in the evening in the week. In that case, instant gas heat would be much more sensible.
If you are running it all day then it makes more sense.
Get one of these (they also do a smaller version)
Provides back up for cooking as well as heating and is a great bit of kit
https://www.esse.com/the-ironheart-range/ironheart...
Provides back up for cooking as well as heating and is a great bit of kit
https://www.esse.com/the-ironheart-range/ironheart...
We have a log burner and its fantastic. We probably have it on twice a week in winter as we aren’t in for much of the evenings during the week – its only 5Kw but it is fantastic with smokeless fuel on it. Our room is only a 5m x 4m snug area but its more than adequate.
It is actually cheaper than burning seasoned logs unless you can provide your own fuel for free.
The heat the coal gives off is much higher than burning logs or timber off cuts. And as said by others, load it up and don’t touch the thing for 4-5 hours, you can even have the door open for the open fire effect as you won’t get ‘spitting’ like you do from logs.
It is actually cheaper than burning seasoned logs unless you can provide your own fuel for free.
The heat the coal gives off is much higher than burning logs or timber off cuts. And as said by others, load it up and don’t touch the thing for 4-5 hours, you can even have the door open for the open fire effect as you won’t get ‘spitting’ like you do from logs.
Lexington59 said:
there’s plenty of wood around here especially after the recent storms and that should mitigate some risk of an unreliable power network.
I think you underestimate how much wood you might get through, and how plentiful 'free' supplies are. You need dry/seasoned wood and you will end up having to buy logs/fuel from somewhere. Even if you are a powerfully built PH director with acres of woodland as your back garden, you need to have the means to collect, store, and cut up wood to be self sufficient.OP I trust you are aware that you can now only burn dried wood or solid fuel?
https://www.countrylife.co.uk/interiors/what-you-n...
Given that the aforementioned Government has decided to make the entire might of the motor industry bend over and accept a ban on new ICE cars from 2030, I really would question spending a lot on a long burner before their fuel gets banned in urban areas. If you have a stone cottage in the middle of nowhere, off grid etc, then I see that they make a reasonable option. If you live in a new-ish build at 22 Acacia Avenue, Suburbia, then not such a good idea.
My brother's wife insisted they have one in their house rebuild in Jersey. They've used it about six times in three years.
https://www.countrylife.co.uk/interiors/what-you-n...
Given that the aforementioned Government has decided to make the entire might of the motor industry bend over and accept a ban on new ICE cars from 2030, I really would question spending a lot on a long burner before their fuel gets banned in urban areas. If you have a stone cottage in the middle of nowhere, off grid etc, then I see that they make a reasonable option. If you live in a new-ish build at 22 Acacia Avenue, Suburbia, then not such a good idea.
My brother's wife insisted they have one in their house rebuild in Jersey. They've used it about six times in three years.
We have a 5kw in our snug which is where we spend evenings. We tend not to rely too much on the central heating as we quite like having the wood burner in the snug and the upstairs cool so we use our stove pretty much exclusively. It's been on every night since October.
We source our own wood which is a big but not unpleasant task. We tend to have a few log stores of wood in various stages of season now so we don't run out but before we could do that we bough large cubic meter bags of seasoned hardwood for £95 delivered and that'd last us about three months.
We source our own wood which is a big but not unpleasant task. We tend to have a few log stores of wood in various stages of season now so we don't run out but before we could do that we bough large cubic meter bags of seasoned hardwood for £95 delivered and that'd last us about three months.
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