The device of a small hearth with a living flame is a prerequisite in creating an atmosphere of comfort in the country. For such needs, units of the appropriate size should be selected with a reliable design and a functional combustion chamber. At the same time, it should be a visually attractive object that fits into the overall style of the room. Such requirements are met by a wood-burning stove for long-term burning, which brings an aesthetic effect and fills the house with warmth. Compared to classic designs, this option has several differences that should be considered when buying. In most cases, such units fully justify use in a summer residence, but there are also unpleasant exceptions.
Features of long burning furnaces
Models of this kind do not have a classic ash-blower, since there are practically no combustion products left during operation. But a hole is provided through which the wood-burning stove for long-term burning is supplied with air. This is a kind of supply pipe, supplemented by a regulator. Another similar element is installed in the afterburning zone and serves as an air intake. In technological terms, the main design feature of units with long burning is the need to ensure an adequate supply of air to maintain a stable combustion process.
Due to the lack of a blower passing from the ash pan, manufacturers have the opportunity to develop small designs. In a typical version, a wood-burning stove for long-term burning can not exceed the size of a washing machine, although there are also non-standard modifications.
Principle of operation
The peculiarity of the concept of prolonged combustion involves the intensification of gas formation processes. In this case, stoves are considered, the firebox of which is fueled with firewood, but models operating on coal, pellets and other types of fuel are also common. The main thing remains - the support of slow decay, during which the decay of fuel cells occurs. As a result, large volumes of gas are formed and, most importantly, heat is stably released. In the process of operation, wood-burning fireplaces emit fireproof ash and gaseous mixtures. And here another feature of such models should be emphasized - this is the implementation of secondary afterburning. All components released during combustion rise into the upper chamber and undergo repeated combustion. Just for stimulation of the secondary afterburning, the active supply of oxygen to the chamber through the nozzles is provided. In comparison with traditional furnaces, the design of which is focused on intensive work, models with long burning emit more gases and heat.
Varieties of the unit
The main methods for separating this design by type include taking into account such features as the material of manufacture and the shape of the case. Most manufacturers use metal in the creation of this type of fireplace stove, but there are also alternative solutions. The most popular cast iron and stainless steel structures. Less common are ceramic models. It would seem that such materials do not have the necessary margin of resistance to fire, but the developers provide for the lining, which increases the heat resistance of surfaces. As for the shape, on the market you can find not only the usual round and rectangular, but also corner stoves for wood-burning cottages with different sizes. This form factor allows you to save space in the room, which is especially beneficial when installing the unit in a modest summer space.
Design options
There are two types of furnace designs that implement the principle of long-term combustion. The first group includes ready-to-use factory models, the installation of which is limited only to the chimney and the organization of a flat surface. The second group is more massive furnace structures, which can be made of stone, brick or tile materials. For comparison, if wood - burning cast-iron stoves-fireplaces are capable of providing heat transfer with a power of 4-10 kW, then in the case of furnace fireplace designs this value reaches 15 kW. With individual orders of the unit, this level can also increase, allowing you to heat houses with an area of up to 250 m 2 . Another question is whether it is advisable to use large furnaces in the country? But it depends on the parameters of the structure. By the way, one of the key features of brick fire chambers is their integration into the wall, so not every cottage will be able to allow such a installation.
Water circuit models
If emphasis is placed on the heating function of the fireplace stove, it makes sense to turn to models with a water circuit. These are units that are equipped with a heat exchanger, pipes and storage tank. Depending on the heating requirements, the user selects the configuration and scheme according to which the system will be installed. In this case, a wood - burning fireplace stove with a water circuit can be performed in different versions relative to the internal device. The difference between the models lies in the way the layout of those very contours. In the standard version, they are placed longitudinally to the combustion chamber and strictly in the center. Also, there are modifications in which the principle of "water shirt" is implemented. This means that the walls have, in a sense, a double structure in which water contours lie. They circulate the coolant, which can be adjusted to specific heating requirements.
Price issue
The price range for units with long burning is quite wide. In this segment, both models for 15-20 thousand rubles and versions for 50 thousand and more are presented. But it is important to consider that a fireplace stove, the price of which does not exceed 30 thousand, is unlikely to be able to provide power of more than 10 kW. Usually these are compact cast-iron units that may look attractive, but their heating function leaves much to be desired.
Water-contour models can be found in the product lines of Hark, Schmid and Supra. There is also a distinction between classes, but in the middle segment price tags dominate for 30-40 thousand. However, you can find more affordable, but high-quality wood-burning stoves. Inexpensive options for 20 thousand, in particular, are offered by domestic manufacturers Ecokamin and Yermak.
Positive stove reviews
Devices of this type demonstrate an example when optimizing the principle of operation of the furnace brings a noticeable effect during operation. According to users of such furnaces, with small volumes of solid-fuel supply, it is possible to achieve high productivity of equipment even against the background of traditional analogues. For example, once loading the fireplace, you can count on 10-hour support for a certain temperature in the room. With these results, a wood-burning stove for long-term burning allows you to save money and at the same time receive sufficient amounts of thermal energy. This is noted by the owners of small summer cottages with small stoves, and the owners of households that use powerful models of 15-20 kW.
Negative reviews
Nevertheless, ensuring high performance results with fuel economy is at the expense of other characteristics. For example, it takes a lot of time to go into the same long burning mode. But many owners of cottages just for the purpose of rapid heating and purchase a fireplace stove. Reviews note that for such needs it is worthwhile to prefer models with intense combustion, as they enter the phase of gaining the optimum temperature faster. There is also criticism of the design of units with furnaces for long burning. The fact is that the output of the secondary combustion products occurs at low temperatures, which contributes to the excessive formation of condensate. Therefore, the manufacturers themselves recommend thinking through the location of the chimneys so that a minimum number of transition sections is formed.
Conclusion
The use of long-term smoldering provides many advantages, which are expressed in the form of efficient heating and fuel economy. Especially for large buildings, it makes sense to purchase just such a fireplace stove. The price of 25-30 thousand per unit, which has average power characteristics, of course, does not add appeal to this solution, but with long use, the economical consumption of firewood will pay for itself. On the other hand, if you consider the purchase of a furnace precisely as a heating system, then you can turn to full-fledged boilers, which will cost even more in terms of energy efficiency. Still, the fireplace stove wins due to a combination of heating function, decorative qualities and ease of use. The principle of long burning does not contradict the first two conditions, but from the point of view of ergonomics such units even in their segment are not the best option.