Are you currently considering a wood burning stove vs open fire and wondering which is better? Looking for a way to warm up your home on the coldest of evenings?
If so, you may be wondering which is best for your home. Obviously a major factor in the decision will be your own décor taste and general safety aspects but before you make your decision, it’s important to do your research. As always, it’s a case of understanding what’s best for you, the people you live with, and your home.
Whether you’re in an apartment, detached family home, converted loft, or country cabin, each will have its own needs and requirements.
Both a wood burning stove and an open fire can be a beautiful asset to your home. So, what is the difference and what’s best for you?
Table of Contents
Wood Burning Stove vs Open Fire
Wood Burning Stove
A wood burning stove is a heat-producing appliance that utilizes wood or wood-derived fuel. A stove will consist of a solid metal firebox that contains several air controls, and these air controls are usually pipes that allow smoke to escape. The firebox will normally have a door which can be opened, closed and locked (to allow you to refuel your fire), and may also have a glass window where you can enjoy watching the dancing flames.
Open Fire
Everybody (we hope…) knows what an open fire is, but for the purpose of this article an open fire is defined as a fire that sits within a grate above or below a chimney or flue. The more fuel you pile up, the more heat will be generated.
Open fires usually sit within what’s known as a fireplace, in American or European homes, and can generally be found within the main living quarters of the home. Most fireplaces will also sit within the first floor of a multi-story home, to allow the heat to rise throughout the house.
Safety
Wood burning stoves are considered safer than open fires simply because they have a sealed door in which the fire is kept behind. However, it is important to note that wood burning stoves are only safer if they are used correctly.
You should not overload them with fuel and oxygen because this can lead to damage to the stove over time. You should also use the right quality of firewood to ensure that your wood burning stove works as intended to burn firewood as cleanly and efficiently as possible.
One clear example of where a wood burning stove may be the safest option for you is if you have small children. As we know, children are curious and want to play with everything. Therefore, you may want to consider a wood burning stove instead of an open, accessible fire. There is a chance that they can burn themselves on both, but an open fire could cause a lot more damage.
If you would prefer an open fire, but are still concerned about safety, it’s common to put a protective gate around an open fire.
Environmentally Friendly
Helping promote cleaner air has been at the forefront of discussions in recent years and for many, it’s now a big consideration when renovating or adding to a home.
Although burning firewood to help warm a home can release smoke and other harmful particulates, using a wood burning stove rather than an open fireplace can significantly cut down on the number of emissions being released. This is partially due to the “heat efficiency” of both appliances, which will discuss below.
Heat Efficiency
Heat efficiency is the ratio of the heat produced by a machine or in a process, to the total energy expended or heat taken in. Basically, heat in versus heat out.
Wood burning stoves are very efficient at burning firewood to produce heat due to several efficiency-enhancing designs, such as baffle plates and controllable air vents. The average efficiency rating of a wood stove can be between 60% and 80% but can be higher or lower depending on the model of the stove.
Unfortunately, despite the appeal and aesthetic, open fires are generally an inefficient way of heating your home and can be as low as 10% efficient. This is largely because the airflow draws air from the rest of the house up the chimney, at the same time as taking away the heat from the fire.
In terms of heat efficiency, wood burning stoves are clear and obvious winners.
Aesthetics
This is something that comes down to the style of your home and personal preference. We can’t tell you which will look better your home, that will be a personal choice for the most part.
If you’re looking for something homely and romantic, an open fire might appeal to you more. An open fire will give your home a cozy atmosphere. However, if you’re looking for something a bit more modern, practical and less messy, a wood burning stove might be the best choice.
It’s clear to see that there are many more benefits to having a wood burning stove compared to an open fire. They are safer, more efficient, environmentally friendly, and can still look beautiful and cozy in your home but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get an open fire.
If you have looked at the pros and cons and still have your heart set on an open fire, then go for it!
Making an Open Fire More Efficient
If you do decide to use an open fire, set within a traditional fireplace, then here are some things you can do to make them safer and more efficient:
- Only burn dry wood
- Have your chimney swept periodically
- Ensure that the damper is fully open before each fire
- Prime the chimney to help the fire get going
- Build the fire correctly
- Get the fire going as quickly as possible
- Sustain and increase the fire by progressively using larger sized logs
- Don’t burn logs too tightly packed together
- Use hardwood logs for increased heat output and duration
- Maintain a hot and efficient fire to help minimize smoke
–
We hope this helps when you come to make a final decision about what’s best for you, your home and your family.
Both a wood burning stove or an open fire will give a homely look and feel to your home and while a wood burning stove may be the more practical choice, you may decide that an open fire is the best choice for you.
For everything else home heating, stick with CosyWarmer.com