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Original poster

Is there a nice alternative to a real fire? (When no chimney...)

26 replies

linspins · 30/10/2011 17:33

We used to have a (little) real fire at our last house, but sadly not here. The chimney breast has been taken out in the upstairs and loft, and we aren't thinking of re-instating it. I do miss the cosiness and comfort of a real fire though...are there any alternatives? Obviously we can't have a gas fire that needs a flue...can you get fires that don't need flues?
Or some kind of electric fire?

OP posts:
noddyholder · 30/10/2011 17:36

The best electric one I have seen is a dimplex opti myst. I went to look at these when they were launched and was quite impressed. They have built in smoke generator and everything and are in lots of styles.

timidviper · 30/10/2011 17:38

A flue doesn't have to be a chimney, it can go through an external wall if that is possible.

I think you can get some very good electric things now. I saw one that looked like a woodburner that looked really good

RightUpMyRue · 30/10/2011 17:39

Optiflame?

Might look naff in real life though.

You can get little pots of gel that burns, with a real flame and is perfectly safe for indoor use. You use it in a fire bowl type of thing. Don't suppose they give off much heat, more for the look than the effect.

Like these

BeaOnSea · 30/10/2011 17:39

It looks like you can get flueless gas fires.

here

noddyholder · 30/10/2011 17:44

OPti myst has a small water tank that creates 'smoke' within the stove It is very effective and I am super critical!

PigletJohn · 30/10/2011 22:13

Shock yes you can get flueless gas fires, but many gas installers refuse to fit them, due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

When they are new, and provided they have been properly fitted, adjusted and tested, thet are fairly safe, as long as you don't mind the condensation they cause, and having to breathe the fumes.

DaisySteiner · 30/10/2011 22:19

You can have a woodburner with a specially made flue which can either go out through an outside wall, or up through the house and then through the roof. It is expensive. Very. We're having it done this week. I'm hoping it's worth it!

cyb · 30/10/2011 22:33

linspins I would have an optimist if I had the spare cash, but would also have to reinstall a fake chimney breast

But i woudl LOVE a fire

I bought a fire DVD in Class Olsen for £4.99 so we can huddle round the TV until we get it installed!

nikos · 31/10/2011 07:53

Daisy-how much is it costing to put the flue to an external wall? We were thinking of doing this.

DaisySteiner · 31/10/2011 20:12

The flue itself and fitting is costing 1800 GBP. We've sourced the flue ourselves and have managed to find a fitter who will install it. Most prefer to supply the flue as well, but they clearly make a big profit by doing this as all the quotes we've had for doing this have been in excess of 3K. You need to add the price of the stove on top of this.

The stove was delivered today. It is beautiful. Just needs fitting now!! Hoping it's done by the weekend so we can have hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire when we get back from fireworks Smile

WhereDidAllThePuffinsGo · 31/10/2011 20:24

So is that 1800 to poke the flue though the wall by the stove or to put it all the way up through the roof?

DaisySteiner · 31/10/2011 20:56

Mine is going all the way through the roof. However, if it was going out through an external wall it would be the same because it needs to extend up above the roof. In fact it would probably be more expensive because it would need extra bends which are expensive. The other advantage of putting it in through the house itself is that it's more efficient and will help heat the upstairs room too.

DaisySteiner · 31/10/2011 20:57

I was floored when we started getting quotes - I'd very naively budgeted 1200 for the stove and installation.

Dillie · 31/10/2011 21:04

I was going to get one of those bio-ethanol fires with surround. Decided against it as I have 3 cats and a 6 yo. I am sure they are safe, but the cats dont always look where they are going! :o

noddyholder · 01/11/2011 12:26

Those ethanol fores are awful and smell like petrol. They are more for corporate events and displays

cyb · 01/11/2011 19:24

Daisy where are you situatying stove in your house? In existing fire place opening? Or against flat wall?

WhereDidAllThePuffinsGo · 01/11/2011 19:27

Ooh this is all very interesting. We're househunting at the moment and we really really want to have a wood-burning stove. This could increase our options a bit!

DaisySteiner · 01/11/2011 20:38

It's going against a flat wall - no existing fireplace as it's in a new part of the house.

soverylucky · 02/11/2011 14:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PigletJohn · 02/11/2011 16:40

the other downside to the flueless is that it issues moisture from the steam generated by the burning gas, and of course you are breathing the fumes after they have passed through the cat (assuming it is working properly and you are not breathing carbon monoxide)

Original poster
linspins · 02/11/2011 21:05

I like the look of the opti myst things, but need to see one in real life. Thanks all.
Pigletjohn, you have mentioned twice about the condensation and fumes...do you have one? I would worry about both those things (our house is damp enough!) but am surprised there is any real risk to newly designed fires? And as soverylucky said the fan will obviously make a whirring noise. Hmmm.

Envy at Daisysteiner for having a proper thing fitted. Price inhibits us, plus can't be doing with the disruption upstairs as have already decorated there. We don't have an external wall in a convenient place. Hope you enjoy your hot choc!

OP posts:
DaisySteiner · 02/11/2011 21:23

Wow! It's all been done today in one day's work! linspins, virtually no disruption or mess at all. I expected it to make a mess of the ceilings and floors but there's no redecorating needed at all, apart from painting the plasterboard in the bedroom where the flue runs. I'm really pleased with it, but have to wait for 24 hours before using it Sad This is definitely the most extravagant thing I have ever done, but it was well worth saving up for.

PigletJohn · 02/11/2011 21:49

flueless death

www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/comeap/pressrelease.pdf

www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/co.htm

you are supposed to have a hole in the wall (a vent) in the room to ventilate the POC out and bring fresh air in. Often these are blocked, sometimes accidentally but more often by people who complain they cause a draught.

annieapple7 · 03/11/2011 21:43

Hi Daisysteiner
Very interested in your new woodburner as your situation sounds the same as mine. How much did the flue cost, how much did installation cost and what burner did you get? [nosy emoticon]