Heating equipment in modern versions is developed mainly with a focus on energy efficiency, reliability and functionality. Practicality and ease of use become the defining characteristics on which market success is based. And only a few units of this type are of aesthetic value. It is this combination that puts fireplace stoves in a special category. This is heating equipment, and an object of design design, and in some versions also a cooking facility.
Features of the fireplace stove
In the usual view, the fireplace differs from the traditional stove in its external beauty, which is achieved thanks to the flame open for visual observation. That is, the stove as such has a closed structure, and the fireplace openly demonstrates the combustion process. In hybrid versions, the emphasis is on combining aesthetic and heating functions. The fact is that the fireplace type furnace is also structurally related to closed units. Its flame is covered by heat-resistant glass that preserves the "live picture" of the fire, but at the same time provides the classical principle of the distribution of thermal radiation. At the same time, the shape of such fireplaces remains expanded, not deepened, as in conventional stoves.
Another development resulting from the combination of two concepts is a firebox. This is a practical solution in which aesthetic accents and heating function are organically combined. Therefore, many fans of classic heating systems have a question: what is better - a fireplace insert or a fireplace stove? The main difference between these designs is the principle of heat distribution and base power. Fireplace units are more technological and productive, so they themselves can act as a complete source of heat. The furnace fireplace, in turn, cannot compete with stove modifications in heat transfer volumes. However, there are two justifiable uses for such a solution. Firstly, it is the organization of an extensive system of heating circuits, the temperature of which will be maintained by the furnace. Secondly, the initial use of this design without special heating requirements. This is a small decorative unit, which may well decorate with its decoration, and with a natural flame, a cottage or a small living room in the house.
Classification of aggregates by production materials
For a number of characteristics, stone, brick and concrete structures stand out. In particular, the brick is characterized by durability, the ability to efficiently accumulate heat and provide a soundproofing effect. True, problems with heat dissipation can occur if insufficient air draft is organized. The stone in many respects corresponds to a brick, however, some rocks are still inferior to it in its ability to retain heat. The main drawback of such structures is that they give the greatest load on the floor, so there is no way to do without a solid foundation. An alternative may be a structure made of artificial lightweight stone, which is also characterized by an aesthetic appearance. Hybrid fireplace stoves of this type in some versions do without finishing. But in terms of the working properties of the accumulation and heat distribution, this option loses to both brick and natural stone.
An alternative to the entire group of stone-concrete structures are metal models. Such designs may be inferior in terms of the same characteristics of thermal accumulation, but only slightly. The key difference is the practicality of the metal - compared to stone, it weighs less, takes up little space and requires low installation costs. It remains only to choose between cast iron and stainless steel. The most durable are cast iron fireplace stoves. The types of steel structures without exception lose to the carbon counterpart in terms of heat conservation. However, a steel alloy, unlike cast iron, can be restored if its structure was deformed during operation.
Fuel Type Classification
The leading positions in the market are still maintained by units operating on traditional fuel - firewood. These are the cheapest fireplaces with a familiar design. The advantages of such equipment include relatively inexpensive fuel, and the disadvantages are the troublesome maintenance. There are also other options for stove fireplaces, among which electric and biofuel. As for electric fireplaces, they benefit from the reliability, safety and ease of maintenance. Also, they do not require regular fuel cell replenishment - the unit operates directly from the mains. But this is the main drawback of electrical models. They are also the most expensive financial expenses. But there is another operational nuance. If a wood-burning stove shows even a real flame of fire even through tempered heat-resistant glass, electrical modifications only imitate the visual picture of burning. This effect is achieved due to fan heaters with artificial flames or video screens with an infrared heater. The latest models use LCD screens.
A rather promising area is a biofireplace. This is a technological branch of heat-generating furnaces with integrated burners, which are supplied with pellets or a special liquid for a biofireplace - for example, bioethanol. From the point of view of energy efficiency, this is the most profitable solution, but the decorative advantages of such units are still inferior to traditional wood structures.
Features of long burning models
The combustion process in the furnace may be subject to regulation by the user. The combustion rate of the fuel material depends on the volume of air intake. Accordingly, the less oxygen is directed into the chamber, the longer the same firewood will burn. It is this possibility of regulation that the fireplace stove provides for long burning, which can be left unattended for a long time. This principle of work can justify itself in an ordinary residential building. For example, if you want to leave the unit working all night. Of course, the volume of heat will be much less than with rapid intensive combustion, but it will be possible to stretch the process for a certain time interval.
Such furnaces should not be considered as a separate line of modifications. The air draft regulation function is optionally provided in almost all factory designs. Manual regulation is provided through a gate or a blower. Moreover, the same fireplace stove for long burning in some versions is equipped with automatic control. This means that the control system independently controls the volume of oxygen supply, choosing the most optimal operating modes. Decisions to reduce or increase the volume of incoming air are made on the basis of temperature sensors that monitor the microclimate.
Fireplace stove installation
One of the advantages of fireplace stoves is the lack of strict requirements for the organization of the foundation. The finished installation is placed in the most favorable place in terms of heat distribution, observing fire safety standards. Nevertheless, manufacturers still complement the sets of stove fireplaces with special mats made of non-combustible or heat-resistant materials. As a rule, such devices do not need additional fixation. It is important to observe the distances from flammable objects of interior decoration. Usually, the distance recommended by manufacturers is 1-2 m. The main installation operations are in the organization of the chimney. The channels that are planned to be used in conjunction with solid fuel combustion chambers should include valves with openings of 15x15 mm. Without a doubt, modern fireplace stoves are equipped with the aforementioned gates. This is a rotary damper element, which just helps to manually adjust the channel capacity. The base of the chimney is formed from prefabricated parts made of the same stainless steel. A typical design is made up of two-layer steel pipes, the insulation of which has heat-shielding properties. Of course, connoisseurs of traditional solutions do not disregard brick chimney systems, but such solutions have long been recognized as impractical and less safe.
Unit Operation
For melting, it is necessary to prepare the combustion material in advance and lay it in the combustion chamber. At this stage, the gate should have the position of the average oxygen tolerance volume so that the material can slowly flare up without the risk of being extinguished by strong air currents. This applies to both wood and pellet models. Firewood should not be placed too tightly, otherwise there will not be enough space inside the firebox for air to pass through and the flame will be strangled. As for the ash pan, it must be open at the beginning of ignition to ensure ventilation. In the future, combustion control will be carried out in accordance with specific requests. A long burning regime will require closing the ash pan, as well as minimizing the free channel for air admission. Intensive kindling is also done with a closed ash pan drawer, but with an open gate. Additional bookmarks should be made only with open shutters, and then return them to their original state. Again, the high-tech fireplace stoves in modern versions save users from such manipulations. Both the gate and the ash pan are automatically regulated in accordance with the parameters of the set operating mode.
Maintenance
The owner of the furnace must regularly take care of the condition of the structure in operation. First of all, this concerns the basic operations of cleaning the ash pan and the combustion chamber. To this is also worth checking the reliability of the functional parts of the unit - from the reliability of the shutter to the tightness of heat-resistant glass. It is also necessary to use special heat-resistant paints to maintain the durability of the main structure . For example, some manufacturers produce silicone enamels in cans or cans. These products are intended for painting surfaces. Thus, in particular, the maintenance of cast-iron stove-type stoves is performed - at the time indicated by the operating instructions, the composition is applied to the surface. Next, wait until the coating has dried. A complete polymerization cycle will provide a new level of strength and resistance of the metal surface to various influences and loads.
Manufacturers
Despite the specificity of the segment, there are many fireplaces of this type on the market. Moreover, among manufacturers there are many domestic companies. For example, the Meta fireplace stove is presented in a large assortment. Developers offer both traditional furnace designs, and models designed for contour water heating. The stove fireplaces of this brand have many of their advantages, including a massive combustion chamber, a universal mechanism for connecting to heating circuits and the possibility of wall mounting.
From the point of view of decorative value, options from the company "Vyal and K" are interesting. For example, facing is performed at a high artistic level by professional craftsmen. The materials themselves are also interesting. At the request of the future owner can order the decoration of marble, multicolor majolica or fireclay bricks.
The products of the Thermofor company are also widely represented on the market. Her family “Kalina” contains models with large translucent screens, an original design and a well-thought-out heating infrastructure. In some modifications, for example, Thermofor fireplace stoves are equipped with an unusual labyrinth gas duct, due to which high-speed and powerful heating is achieved.
How to choose a suitable fireplace stove?
The choice of any heating unit begins with determining the required power. This parameter depends on the area of the target, the number of rooms at home and the number of residents, etc. Next, you need to determine the form factor. That is, the design is determined that will most advantageously take the target place. The classic wall models, island modifications, as well as angular versions are presented on the market. It will also not be amiss to pre-determine the functionality. In some models, country fireplace stoves allow the possibility of cooking. Similar functions may have an optional filling principle, but this is rather a departure from the very idea of a hybrid fireplace.
Conclusion
Technologically, fireplace designs are the least developed representatives of the general segment of heating units. They are nevertheless focused more on aesthetic value and are designed to complement the premises as an element of design design. True, this function is not complete without the support of modern technologies. It is enough to mention fireplace stoves with heat-resistant glass, which provides reliable protection against the spread of fire and at the same time allows them to admire. Another example of innovation entering this niche is an automated gate control system. However, here we are talking about supporting the ergonomic and production qualities of equipment. On the other hand, the class of conservative fireplace stoves is quite stable on the market, the developers of which fundamentally refuse not only new technological solutions, but are also reluctant to endow designs with practical properties, since they most often deviate the product from the spirit of classical fireplaces.