Using an original 1930s fireplace for an open fire

[Palomb]

We have in the process of buying an 1930s house with all original features intact - including the tiled fireplaces. Ideally we were hoping to be able to have a log burner but to do that we'd have to rip out one of the fireplaces which I don't think I could bring myself to do.

What would we need to do it use the fireplace? I know we'd need to have the chimney swept but what do we burn? Wood Or coal? What happens when you want to go to be but the fire is still smouldering? Do you just leave it and trip off to bed or douse it with water? Are there any insurance implications?

I've only ever lived in new house. Can you tell? !

My parents burn logs in theirs. I don't think they did anything to it but best get someone to check it's safe/unblocked first!

You can burn whatever you choose, really. And the fire can be left to burn itself out, don't go near it with water . Just stick a fire guard in front.

The fire goes out of its own accord, it's very gentle. No need to get the hose out last thing at night.

Is there no difference between wood and coal at all?

Was that a stupid question [cringe]

You need to check the flue is sound and get it swept. Call a sweep and get it checked over then it should be swept every Autumn if you're using it, nobody wants a chimney fire.
We burn a mix of wood and anthracite on ours, coal is cheap but makes an un believable amount of dust.
It will go out overnight unless you bank it up, then ours can usually be perked up in the morning. Over Christmas it didn't go out between Christmas Eve and New Years Day.
Enjoy - I would much rather have our fire than a log burner!

Wood may be cheaper, not sure.

It costs a lot more to burn anthracite than logs as well. And the logs look pretty.

I was in your situation and fitted a small 4kw stove that fits within the tiled surround. It's still easier and more efficient than my previous open fire and I don't have to worry about sparks setting the carpet alight.

Logs do look pretty and I love the smell of woodsmoke! Gonnagle I feel quite festive thinking about your fire alight all over Christmas 🎄 I'm pleased to hear you can leave them safely

irene do you have a link to the one you fitted? Our potential crossing fingers, prays and hopes!! houses fireplaces are very small. I don't think I've seen a LB that would fit so I'd love to see if you've found one!

hesterton I bet it did! Not bad if you only need to do it every 3 years though 😄

A Salamander Hobbit stove might fit? It's dinky but effective, apparently. I love our wood burning stove and it's loads more practical than an open fire.

Thank you I'll have a Google.

You need to check what you are permitted to burn in the area. In some areas it is smokeless fuels only. The council website will tell you.

Ah so it is smokeless apparently but some "burners and stoves" are exempted.

Will have to investigate further.

Yes, mine is a Hobbit. It's v cute.

... And Defra approved so you can burn wood in it as well as smokeless fuel (I use a mix).

You just need to get a stove that's 'DEFRA approved' and you can burn wood in it if you want.

Logs have the advantage of bringing an interesting variety of wildlife into your living room. The smallest is woodworm, but I expect the big spiders eat some of them.

I've got two cats. Spiders don't last long in my house

On another note - is it a nice 30s fireplace - not all original features are worth keeping imo! There is a reason a lot of the 30s stuff was ripped out, whilst it may be original, some of it was gastly and this is from someone who lives in a 30s house!

If you want a stove you will need one suitable for smokeless areas - so Defra approved- most stove web sites have this as a check box. I recomnend a multi fuel one as you can burn wood or smokeless coal (which can be left unattended for hours)..
Once you get the house best best is to get a fitter round for a quote - it will be free and you can see what your options are or take a photo of the fireplace into a large fireplace store and get their advice.

Lots of small stoves that have a pipe at the back rather than above. We had a Trolla years ago and it was a fabulous little stove. Friends had a Much Wenlock. We had a Coalbrookedale Severn in this house which we had to replace after 25 years of service. Now we have a Charnwood Country. It is more efficient than the Severn. I can recommend the Charnwood stoves.

Chimney sweep- ring your local fire station and see if any of them sweep. That's who sweeps our and you get advice too.
Builder- check if your chimney is safe and if it is lined. If it isn't, it is worth doing. DH didn't want to pay for ours to be lined and we regretted it. Or you could put a SS flue down it,we did with previous house.
Fuel- yes, check area first. We burn wood and two types of coal. Semi Anthracite for lighting quickly and Phurnicite or Welsh Eggs which means I can keep it on all night and all day when I'm at work because it runs seven radiators for our central heating and our hot water. A stove is a bit cleaner than an open fire. We ripped out our fireplace and found an inglenook. Our house is Victorian and the old fireplace was ugly brown tiles 40's I think. I love original features we kept as many as we could. Unfortunately the original Oak door was too far gone at the bottom. We kept the old hand forged bolts though and the key which looks like something out of a story book! Good luck.