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To equip country houses for temporary visits with a full-fledged water heating system is a waste of money. This option works only if the system, in the absence of the owners, operates in the “anti-freeze” mode, maintaining constantly + 5 ° C. In other cases, heating units are used that can quickly warm up the room. For example, you can put a long-burning fireplace stove for a summer residence. When installing a heater of this type, you can not only warm up the room, but also admire the flame.
What is long burning in heating furnaces
As is known, the intensity of the fuel combustion process depends on the amount of oxygen supplied. With a sufficient amount of it, the fuel burns intensively, releasing a large amount of heat, but the bookmark burns out quickly. With a limited supply of air, combustion can go into the stage of smoldering, in which even flames are not always observed.
In principle, any furnace can be switched to a long burning mode by manipulating the valves. Another thing is that not all of them are designed for such a regime. Ordinary ovens with closed valves can even be dangerous – in smoldering mode they can become a source of smoke or carbon monoxide. So it’s better to look for a fireplace stove for giving in the characteristics of which the line “long burning” is indicated and there is a maximum burning time for one bookmark. It can be 6-18 hours.
How to determine if the stove supports long burning or not
One of the characteristics by which it is possible to distinguish a long-burning fireplace stove for a summer residence from a conventional heating one is its hermetic design. After all, you need to make sure that the air comes in the right amount. No more and no less. The second sign is the presence of several adjustable dampers.
Tightness can only be checked during the furnace, but the presence of dampers is monitored visually and how tightly they block air access, you can also see how well they move. In some models, the air supply is adjusted through the ash drawer. In this case, you need to look at how well he “walks”, how tightly he blocks the air supply. Although the ash drawer cannot be airtight, it should not leave large holes either. You can also track the presence of a seal on the door, a gate on the pipe. All these are the criteria by which it is possible to determine whether a given fireplace stove supports long-term combustion.
With afterburning of gases
How else do long-burning stoves differ from conventional ones? The fact that they can be used to burn gases that are formed during the combustion of firewood. In conventional furnaces, these gases fly into the chimney, since their ignition requires a special regime – high temperature and limited air access. In long-burning furnaces, the fuel chamber can be divided into several parts. In one, firewood burns, in the others – gases that were formed during the decomposition of fuel. Such furnaces are also called gas generating, since it is in the smoldering mode that the largest amount of gases is formed. Tellingly, most of them have a calorific value higher than that of the fuel, during the decomposition of which they were formed. So when using conventional ovens, a significant part of the heat is lost. Therefore, it is believed that a long-burning fireplace stove for giving and at home is more profitable, since less fuel is required.
The downside is that a long-burning fireplace stove for a summer house or a house costs a lot of money. The price tag for models that support long-term burning starts at $ 400-450 if it is a Russian manufacturer and the case is made of structural steel. Domestic stainless steel costs twice as much, and cast iron costs twice as much. Imported fireplace stoves with a long burning function, with the same characteristics, are approximately 70-100% more expensive.
The difference between a classic open fireplace and a fireplace stove
A classic open-type fireplace is only an additional source of heat that cannot heat a room in cold weather. It gives heat in a small amount, it spreads only during the combustion of fuel, and directly in front of the furnace. This type of heater is good for a damp summer or autumn/spring day. In winter, it is not able to give enough heat for the entire room, since its operation requires good draft, which “pulls out” most of the heat.
The fireplace stove has other characteristics, a closed firebox. Such a unit can heat the room on its own (with the right power). And a long-burning fireplace stove for summer cottages and at home also does it economically, as it uses fuel energy to the maximum.
Types and varieties
A long-burning fireplace stove can only be of a closed type, because only if there is a door (also a sealed door) is it possible to regulate the oxygen supply, which is necessary to transfer the unit to long-term burning mode. Specially designed fireplace stoves differ from conventional heating ones in the geometry of the firebox: it is wider, the window usually has a horizontal orientation (although there are also vertical models). The stove door is usually made almost the entire width of the facade, which makes it possible to admire the flames.
By design, fireplace stoves are wall-mounted (linear) and corner. Wall-mounted have a flat back wall, installed at a distance of at least 2 meters from the corner. Corners are specially designed to fit into a corner. But during their installation, the walls to which the body adjoins must be fireproof.
There is also a special model of fireplace stoves – three-sided. In them, only the back wall is made of metal, the other three are made of glass. Such options are very decorative, the flame can be observed not only in front of the door, but also from almost anywhere in the premises. They can be installed against the wall, like ordinary linear ones (Neman, Volga, Angara), there are corner options (Amur and Louvre), but the most interesting are built-in models with three all-glass walls, under which even special partitions are made (German company Hark).
If we talk about the practical component, it is useful if the stove has a long-burning fireplace for a summer residence in the upper part of the burner on which you can heat / cook food. In a summer cottage, this is a very useful option. There are also metal fireplaces with an oven, but they are unlikely to support long-term burning.
There are models with a heat exchanger. This version of the stove-fireplace for a permanent home. Radiators are connected to the heat exchanger and a complete water heating system is built. Just instead of a traditional heating boiler, a metal stove with a heat exchanger is used. The option is suitable for small buildings, since very powerful fireplaces of this type cannot be found.
Which fireplace stove is better: choose the material
It will be about what materials a long-burning fireplace stove can be made from for giving and at home. In general, metal fireplaces, to protect the walls from very high temperatures, are lined with heat-resistant materials from the inside. Most often it is fireclay bricks, but it can also be heat-resistant ceramics (more expensive models). This also leads to the fact that many models outside do not heat up much – it is quite possible to hold your hand. The main heat is radiated through the door and this must be taken into account when choosing the location of the furnace – the distance from the opposite wall should be greater, otherwise it will become very hot.
In order for the walls of the heater to be safe, they are lined with heat-intensive materials such as natural stone, special ceramic tiles, etc. The second (cheaper) option is to install a metal casing that protects against touching the heated case.
Steel: black and structural
The most inexpensive fireplace stoves are made from ordinary black steel. The most budget option, but also the fastest burning. In order for the walls of the furnace to serve longer, they are made of considerable thickness – 5-8 mm is not the limit. To protect against corrosion, the furnace is coated with special paints.
More expensive fireplace stoves are made from structural steel. This material is highly resistant to high temperatures. Due to better heat tolerance, the wall thickness is smaller, but the cost of structural steel fireplace stoves is higher (due to the price of the material).
Stainless steel
Heat-resistant stainless steel is used, the wall thickness rarely exceeds 3-4 mm. The surface can be matte, polished or blackened, sometimes painted with heat-resistant powder paints.
Stainless steel fireplace stoves are expensive, and their durability largely depends on the quality of the seams. So that alloying metals (which give the metal stainless properties) do not burn out during welding, welding must be carried out in a protective environment. And this is complex expensive equipment. And the price of such models, other things being equal, is higher. But if the seams were welded under normal conditions, the destruction of the metal begins very quickly, since it has ceased to be “stainless” and heat-resistant due to high heating.
Cast iron
This material is one of the most durable. The walls of the furnaces are quite thick, massive. So the cast-iron stove warms up longer, but it also takes longer to cool down. And yet, it takes more than one decade for normal cast iron to “burn out”. But there is another risk of destruction: if water gets on a hot surface, cast iron may crack. So, if you are planning to buy a cast iron stove with a stove, you will have to be very careful with it. The good news is that most of the “cast iron” is assembled from fragments on bolted joints or on the tenon/groove principle. In case of failure, the furnace can be disassembled, order only the necessary part, and replace it. But this is only possible if the model is not discontinued.
There is one more thing: cast iron is a heavy thing. Therefore, when buying, pay attention to weight. Without a separate foundation, stoves weighing up to 200 kg can be installed (with fuel filling and chimney). And even in this case, if the floor is wooden, additional reinforcing beams may be needed.
Type of fuel
Most fireplace stoves are designed to use wood. The type of firewood does not really matter – coniferous or hardwood, not so important. It is important that the firewood is dry. To do this, many models have a shelf for storing firewood. After lighting the fireplace, a new portion is placed on the shelf, which dries at an accelerated pace, since the temperature is higher.
There are metal fireplaces that can be fired with coal. This type of fuel gives more heat with less consumption. But when burning coal, the temperature in the furnace is much higher than when burning wood. Therefore, a wood-burning stove-fireplace is not recommended to heat with coal. No, you can pour coal, and it will burn well. But after a short period of time, the fireplace insert will burn out. This will happen due to the fact that the combustion temperature was much higher than “planned”. If you plan to periodically use coal, you need to look for a long-burning stove for a summer house or a house, which has the ability to heat coal in its characteristics (there is also a difference between black or brown).
You can also heat a metal fireplace stove with fuel briquettes of various types, there are those that can work on fuel pellets (pellets). In general, when choosing, pay attention to the type of fuel used. It is important.
Power selection
In the description of a metal fireplace stove, it is necessary to indicate what area it is designed for heating. When choosing power, it is better to take with a margin of about 15-20%. This is in order not to overheat the body even on the coldest days. In this mode, it quickly burns out.
On the other hand, do not take too much stock. Solid fuel stoves-fireplaces are difficult to regulate in temperature. And, if the power of the heating equipment is many times greater than necessary, it will be too hot during the combustion in the room. Nothing can be done about it. If the power is too high, even in the smoldering mode, there may be too much heat.
So, when choosing the power of a long-burning fireplace stove for a summer residence or at home, we take it with a margin of 15-25%. For example, the heated area is 100 sq.m. A suitable metal fireplace should have the ability to heat 115-125 square meters.
Video review of the Kratki Koza K9 fireplace stove.
Assembly and installation
A metal stove for a long-burning fireplace for a summer residence or at home is a fire hazardous object. So the requirements for its installation are quite strict. No, installation permits are not required, but it is better to comply with fire safety requirements – for your own safety.
How and where to install
Each manufacturer completes its product with instructions for installation and operation. It specifies the exact requirements specifically for this model. After all, the distances to combustible structures (wooden walls, for example) depend on how much the body heats up during the furnace, and this depends on the design. And it is the manufacturer who knows the nuances of their product better, as they conduct testing in various modes. Therefore, when choosing an installation site, the distance from the walls to the case, it is better to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. On average, these distances are 15-25 cm. This can be useful when choosing sizes, but see the instructions for specific numbers.
When choosing a place, you also need to take into account that at least 1,5 meters should remain from the fireplace door to the opposite wall. Gas pipes should not pass nearby, electrical wiring should be at least 50 cm away.
A fireproof substrate must be laid on the floor under the stove for a long-burning fireplace for a summer residence or a house. It can be a metal sheet, ceramic tile, brick, stone. The dimensions of the fireproof area must be 20 cm larger on the sides and rear and 40 cm larger in front than the dimensions of the stove.
If the floor is wooden, the easiest way is to lay a sheet of metal of the desired size and a thickness of 1 mm or more. Under it, a sheet of basalt cardboard (thickness 0,8-1 cm) is laid on a wooden floor, which serves to insulate and protect wood from overheating. There is another option: lay a brick on a clay mortar (half a brick thick) or ceramic tiles on heat-resistant glue on a metal sheet. In the case of using tiles for metal, it is also desirable to put basalt cardboard, but of a smaller thickness.
Chimney
For metal fireplace stoves, a metal sandwich chimney is usually used. The minimum inner diameter is 200 mm, the thickness of thermal insulation (basalt wool) is at least 60 mm with a density of insulation of 15-30 kg / m³, the thickness of the inner wall of stainless steel is at least 1 mm. These parameters are the minimum requirements for the normal operation of the fireplace stove. A good chimney is one of the most important factors that affects the operation of a heater.
For good operation, a fast-burning fireplace stove for a summer house or a house must have a chimney at least 5 meters high, counting from the grate. In addition, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Ledges are made at an angle of not more than 30 °.
- The maximum length of all horizontal sections is 1 meter.
- The chimney cap is protected from precipitation and debris by means of a chimney/wind hood or any other type of cap.
- It is necessary to pass the pipe through combustible structures (wall of the house, ceiling, roof) in a special fireproof cut.
There is one more nuance. When burning, the fireplace stove burns out the oxygen that is in the room. To restore it, a ventilation system is needed. The second option is models with an external air supply to the furnace. For this, there is a special channel that is led out through the wall.