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M N J I
Citizen
Username: S_oranger
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 9:21 pm: | 
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My Victorian home came with a gas fireplace that we'd like to convert to wood. The fireplace is only 14 inches deep and three feet wide and doesn't seem large enough to safely accommodate a wood-burning fire. Can a fireplace of this type be converted to wood and does anyone know anyone who might do it? |
weekends
Citizen
Username: Weekends
Post Number: 42
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 - 8:37 am: |
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Could it originally have been built to burn coal? When wood is burned in fireplace designed for coal, smoke sometimes enters the house instead of rising up the chimney. It depends on the diameter of chimney, which may not be wide enough for a smokier wood fire. |
rssounds
Citizen
Username: Rssounds
Post Number: 328
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 - 8:44 am: |
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Those gas fireplaces were never intended to burn wood. The firebox is too shallow and, I believe, the flue is not lined properly. Your best bet would be to install a wood burning insert. You will probably need to line the flue as well. You should check out the new assortments of gas burning inserts that are available. Locally, there's a store in Summit on Summit Ave. There's also a place in Greenbrook on Rt 22 Eastbound. |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4164
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 - 5:18 pm: |
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I agree, that is a coal fire box and wood will never work in it.
Bummer, I know, I have a coal fireplace in the Master bedroom and all it is good for is a display of flowers. One day I may convert it to gas so we can get some use out of it. |
mogli
Citizen
Username: Mogli
Post Number: 21
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 6, 2005 - 4:06 pm: |
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I'm doing what you want to do via a wood burning insert. Benefits of an insert are 1)the hot stuff is kept nice and safe in a big iron box and 2) warm house air does not escape via the chimney flue. Also can provide a significant amount of heat - mine should be able to warm the whole first floor of an 1880's Q.A. Victorian. Expecting to the insert installed by early Feburary, will advise if anyone is interested.
Good place to start is http://hearth.com/
Early observations: As with the chimney sweep industry, the fireplace industry is loaded with characters who are very interested in taking your money by forcing you into their favorite solution but not so keen on helping you find the right thing for you and your house. I'm using a family-run shop over in Staten Island, though my neighbors used The Fireplace Place on Rt. 46 in November and were satisfied. (By the way, they are very happy with their new Lopi insert.) |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 480
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 7, 2005 - 9:43 pm: |
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I've always thought it strange that my house has a fireplace with a gas line coming up through the floor that is capped off, doesn't look like it's ever been used, and there is no chimney at all, it's just an open box in the wall. My neighbors house is exactly the same, and not just the fireplace is the same.
The last couple of years I've been debating about installing a stove (perhaps a pellet stove even), I would have to poke a hole int wall and install stove pipe to vent it I guess.
maybe this year I'll get around to contacting one of those companies you mentioned Mogli, thanks. |
mogli
Citizen
Username: Mogli
Post Number: 22
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, January 8, 2005 - 6:59 pm: |
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Your capped gas line is probably just waiting for a nice new set of gas logs or a gas fireplace or a gas burning insert.
One thing about pellet stoves - don't. The whole thing is an artifact of a west coast wood pulp oversupply that ended about ten years ago. The timber companies invented the pellets and stoves, sold them very cheaply, and created new demand. Then the economy picked up and started using the same feedstock building materials, etc., so the cheap pellets became not so cheap and those pellet burning stoves, which cannot be converted to burn anything else, are no longer looked upon quite so favorably. That being said, they are efficient and reliable, so I'm sure there are applications for them still to be found. |
tabby
Citizen
Username: Tabby
Post Number: 163
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, January 8, 2005 - 8:02 pm: |
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Monster, our house is the same as yours: brick fireplace, no chimney and a gas line. That was the only thing we disliked about the house was not having a real fireplace. I do miss it (sigh...)
We did get a decent set of ventless gas logs. Remember, thre is no chimney or flue. With ventless gas logs you have to keep a window cracked open, as there can be a build up of dangerous fumes.
It's not the same as a real fire, but it's better than nothing.
Tabby |
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