Heating equipment in modern versions is developed mainly with a focus on energy efficiency, reliability and functionality. Practicality and ease of use become the defining characteristics on which market success is also based. And only a few units of this type are of aesthetic value. It is this combination that puts fireplace stoves in a special category. This is both heating equipment and a design object, and in some modifications also a cooking tool.
Features of the fireplace stove
In the usual view, the fireplace differs from the traditional stove in external beauty, which is achieved thanks to the flame open for visual observation. That is, the stove as such has a closed design, and the fireplace openly demonstrates the combustion process. In hybrid versions, the focus is on combining aesthetic and heating functions. The fact is that a fireplace-type stove structurally also refers to closed units. Its flame is covered with heat-resistant glasses, which preserve the "living picture" of fire, but at the same time provide the classical principle of heat distribution.radiation. At the same time, the shape of such fireplaces remains extended, and not deepened, as in conventional stoves.
Another development resulting from the combination of two concepts is the firebox. This is a practical solution that organically combines both aesthetic accents and the heating function. Therefore, many fans of classical heating systems have a question: what is better - a fireplace insert or a fireplace stove? The main difference between these designs lies in the principle of heat distribution and base power. Fireplace units are more technologically advanced and productive, so they themselves can act as a full-fledged source of heat. The furnace fireplace, in turn, cannot compete with furnace modifications in terms of heat transfer. However, there are two justified use cases for such a solution. Firstly, this is the organization of an extensive system of heating circuits, the temperature of which will be maintained by the furnace. Secondly, the initial use of this design without special heating requirements. This is a small decorative unit that can well decorate a summer house or a small living room in the house with its decoration and natural flame.
Classification of aggregates by materials of manufacture
Structures made of stone, brick and concrete stand out for a number of characteristics. In particular, the brick is distinguished by its durability, the ability to efficiently accumulate heat and provide a soundproofing effect. True, there may be problems with heat dissipation,if insufficient air draft is organized. The stone in many ways corresponds to the brick, but some rocks are still inferior to it in terms of the ability to retain heat. The main disadvantage of such structures is that they give the greatest load on the floor, so you can’t do without a solid foundation. An alternative can only be a structure made of artificial lightweight stone, which is also characterized by an aesthetic appearance. Hybrid fireplace stoves of this type in some modifications do without finishing at all. But in terms of working properties of heat accumulation and distribution, this option loses to both brick and natural stone.
Metal models are an alternative to the whole group of stone-concrete structures. Such designs may be inferior in terms of the same characteristics of thermal accumulation, but only slightly. The key difference lies in the practicality of metal - compared to stone, it weighs less, takes up little space and requires little installation costs. It remains only to choose between cast iron and stainless steel. Cast iron fireplace stoves are considered the most durable. All types of steel structures, without exception, lose to their carbon counterpart in terms of heat retention. However, a steel alloy, unlike cast iron, can be restored if its structure has been deformed during operation.
Classification by type of fuel
Leading positions in the market are still maintained by units operating on traditional fuel - wood. These are the cheapest fireplaces with a familiar design. The advantages of such equipmentrelatively inexpensive fuel can be attributed, and the disadvantages are troublesome maintenance. Other options for stove fireplaces are also emerging, including electric and biofuel. As for electric fireplaces, they benefit from reliability, safety and ease of maintenance. Also, they do not require regular feeding with fuel cells - the unit operates directly from the mains. But this is the main drawback of electric models. They are also the most costly in terms of financial costs. But there is another operational nuance. If a wood-burning stove-fireplace demonstrates, even through tempered heat-resistant glass, a real flame of fire, then electrical modifications only imitate the visual picture of combustion. This effect is achieved by fan heaters with artificial flames or video screens with an infrared heater. The latest models use LCD screens.
Quite a promising direction is a biofireplace. This is a technological offshoot of heat generator stoves with integrated burners, which are supplied with pellets or a special liquid for a biofireplace - for example, bioethanol. From the point of view of energy efficiency, this is the most profitable solution, but the decorative advantages of such units are still inferior to traditional wood-burning designs.
Features of long burning models
The combustion process in the furnace can be controlled by the user. The intensity of combustion of the fuel material depends on the volumesair intake. Accordingly, the less oxygen is sent to the chamber, the longer the same firewood will burn. It is precisely this possibility of regulation that provides a fireplace stove for giving a long burning, which can be left unattended for a long time. This principle of operation can justify itself in an ordinary residential building. For example, if you want to leave the unit running all night. Of course, the volumes of heat release will be much less than with fast intensive combustion, but it will be possible to stretch the process for a certain time interval.
Such furnaces should not be considered as a separate line of modifications. The air draft control function is optionally provided in almost all factory designs. The manual method of regulation is provided through the gate or blower. Moreover, the same fireplace stove for giving long burning in some versions is equipped with automatic control. This means that the control system independently controls the volume of oxygen supply, choosing the most optimal operating modes. Decisions to reduce or increase the volume of incoming air are made on the basis of temperature sensors that monitor microclimate parameters.
Fireplace stove installation
One of the advantages of fireplace stoves is the absence of strict requirements for the organization of the foundation base. The finished installation is placed in the most favorable place in terms of heat distribution, observing fire safety standards. However, manufacturers still supplementsets of stove fireplaces with special bedding made of non-combustible or heat-resistant materials. As a rule, such devices do not need additional fixation. It is also important to observe distances from flammable interior decoration objects. Usually, the distance recommended by manufacturers is 1-2 m. The main installation operations fall on the organization of the chimney. Channels that are planned to be used in conjunction with solid fuel combustion chambers should include valves with 15x15 mm holes. Without fail, modern fireplace stoves are also supplied with the aforementioned dampers. This is a rotary damper element, which just helps to manually adjust the throughput of the channel. The base of the chimney is formed from prefabricated parts made of the same stainless steel. A typical design is made up of two-layer steel pipes, the insulation of which has heat-shielding properties. Of course, connoisseurs of traditional solutions do not disregard brick chimney systems, but such solutions have long been recognized as impractical and less safe.
Use the unit
For melting, it is necessary to prepare the combustion material in advance and put it into the combustion chamber. At this stage, the gate should be in the position of a medium volume of oxygen tolerance so that the material can be slowly ignited without the risk of being extinguished by strong air currents. This applies to both wood and pellet models. At the same time, firewood should not be placed too tightly, otherwise there will not be enough firewood inside the firebox.places for air to pass and the flames will be smothered. As for the ash pan, it must be opened at the beginning of ignition to ensure ventilation. In the future, the regulation of combustion will be carried out in accordance with specific requests. A long burning regime will require closing the ash pan, as well as minimizing the free channel for air admission. Intensive kindling is also carried out with a closed ash drawer, but with an open gate. Additional bookmarks should be made only with the dampers open, and then return them to their original state. Again, high-tech fireplace stoves in modern versions save users from such manipulations. Both the damper and the ash pan are adjusted automatically in accordance with the parameters of the set operating mode.
Maintenance
The owner of the furnace must regularly take care of the condition of the structure in use. First of all, it concerns the basic operations of cleaning the ash pan and the combustion chamber. To this, it is worth adding a check of the reliability of the functional parts of the unit - from the reliability of the damper to the tightness of heat-resistant glass. Also, to maintain the durability of the main structure, it is necessary to use special heat-resistant paints. For example, some manufacturers produce organosilicon enamels in cans or cans. These products are intended for painting surfaces. Thus, in particular, maintenance of cast iron fireplace stoves is carried out - at the time indicated by the operating instructions, the composition is applied to the surface. Next, you needwait until the applied coating dries. A full polymerization cycle will provide a new level of strength and resistance of the metal surface to various kinds of influences and loads.
Producers
Despite the specificity of the segment, there are many fireplaces of this type on the market. Moreover, among the manufacturers there are many domestic companies. For example, the Meta fireplace stove is presented in a large assortment. The developers offer both traditional furnace designs and models designed for contour water heating. Stove fireplaces of this brand have many advantages, including a massive combustion chamber, a universal mechanism for connecting to heating circuits and the possibility of wall installation.
From the point of view of decorative value, the options from the company "Vyal and K" are interesting. For example, facing is performed at a high artistic level by professional craftsmen. The finishing materials themselves are also interesting. Upon request, the future owner can order decoration from marble, multi-colored majolica or fireclay bricks.
The products of Termofor are also widely represented on the market. Its Kalina family contains models with large translucent screens, original design and thoughtful heating infrastructure. In some modifications, for example, Termofor fireplace stoves are equipped with an unusual labyrinth flue, due to which high-speed and powerful heating is achieved.
How to choose the right fireplace stove?
Choose anyheating unit begins with the determination of the required power. This parameter depends on the area of the target object, the number of rooms in the house and the number of residents, etc. Next, you need to decide on the form factor. That is, a design is determined that will occupy the target place in the most advantageous way. There are both classic wall models and island modifications, as well as corner versions on the market. It will also not be superfluous to determine the functionality in advance. In some models, country fireplace stoves allow the possibility of cooking. Similar functions may have an optional filling principle, but this is rather a departure from the very idea of \u200b\u200ba hybrid fireplace.
Conclusion
Technologically, fireplace designs are the least developed representatives of the general segment of heating units. They are still focused more on aesthetic value and are designed to complement the premises as an element of design. True, this function is not complete without the support of modern technologies. Suffice it to mention fireplace stoves with heat-resistant glass, which provides reliable protection against the spread of fire and at the same time allows you to admire them. Another example of innovation entering this niche is the automated gate control system. However, here we are already talking about supporting the ergonomic and production qualities of the equipment. On the other hand, the class of conservative fireplace stoves is quite stable on the market, the developers of whichfundamentally refuse not only new technological solutions, but are also reluctant to endow designs with practical properties, since they most often deviate the product from the spirit of classic fireplaces.
