Fireplace ovens: types, installation, maintenance. Furnace-fireplace for long-term burning

Heating equipment in modern designs is developed mainly with an emphasis on energy efficiency, reliability and functionality. Practicality and ease of use become the defining characteristics on which market success is based. And only a few units of this type are aesthetic value. It is this combination that places the fireplace stoves in a special category. This is the heating equipment, and the object of design design, and in some versions also the means of cooking.

Features of a fireplace oven

In the conventional view, the fireplace differs from the traditional oven by its external beauty, which is achieved through a flame open to visual observation. That is, the oven as such has a closed structure, and the fireplace openly demonstrates the combustion process. In hybrid versions, the bet is placed on the combination of aesthetic and heating function. The fact is that the fireplace type fireplace also belongs to the closed units. Its flame is covered with heat-resistant glasses, which preserve the "living picture" of the fire, but at the same time they provide the classical principle of the distribution of thermal radiation. In this case, the shape of such fireplaces remains broadened, not deepened, as in conventional furnaces.

Another development, which resulted from the combination of the two concepts, is a furnace. This is a practical solution, in which both aesthetic accents and heating function are organically combined. That is why many fans of classical heating systems have a question: what is better - a fireplace fireplace or a fireplace oven? The main difference between these designs is the principle of heat distribution and base power. Fireplace units are more technological and efficient, therefore they can act as a full-fledged source of heat by themselves. The furnace, in turn, can not compete with furnace modifications in the volumes of heat transfer. Nevertheless, there are two justified options for using such a solution. Firstly, it is the organization of a branched 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. It is a small decorative unit that can perfectly decorate with its decoration, and natural flames a dacha or a small living room in the house.

Classification of aggregates based on materials of manufacture

For a number of characteristics, stone, brick and concrete structures are distinguished. In particular, the brick is distinguished by its durability, ability to efficiently accumulate heat and providing a soundproofing effect. True, with heat emission problems can arise if insufficient air draft is organized. The stone in many respects corresponds to a brick, however some breeds nevertheless concede to it on ability of preservation of heat. The main disadvantage of such facilities is that they give the greatest load on the floor, so without a solid foundation foundation can not do. Alternatively, perhaps, is an artificial lightweight stone construction, which is also characterized by an aesthetic appearance. Hybrid fireplace stoves of this type in some modifications and do without decoration. But in terms of working properties of accumulation and heat distribution, this option loses both a brick and a natural stone.

An alternative to the entire group of stone-concrete structures are metal models. Such designs may be inferior to the same characteristics of thermal accumulation, but insignificantly. The key difference is the practicality of metal - in comparison with a stone it weighs less, takes up little space and requires a small installation cost. It remains only to choose between cast iron and stainless steel. The most solid cast iron fireplaces are considered. Types of steel structures, all without exception, lose to the carbon analog and in terms of heat conservation. However, a steel alloy unlike a cast iron can be restored if its structure was deformed during operation.

Classification by type of fuel

The leading positions in the market are still preserved by units operating on traditional fuel - firewood. This and the cheapest fireplaces, having a familiar design. To the merits of such equipment can be attributed relatively inexpensive fuel, and to the disadvantages - the burden of service. Also there are other options for stove fireplaces, including electric and biofuel. As for electric fireplaces, they benefit from reliability, safety and ease of maintenance. Also, they do not require regular fuel supply - the unit operates directly from the power grid. But this is the main drawback of electric models. They are also the most expensive for financial expenses. But there is another operational nuance. If a wood-burning stove demonstrates, even through a tempered heat-resistant glass, a real flame of fire, then the electrical modifications only mimic the visual picture of burning. This effect is achieved by means of fan heaters with artificial flame tongues or video screens with an infrared heater. In the latest models, LCD screens are used.

A rather promising area is the bio fireplace. This is a technological branch of heat-generator furnaces with integrated burners, which are supplied with pellets or a special fluid for bio-fireplace - 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 structures.

Features of models of long burning

The combustion process in the furnace can be regulated by the user. The intensity of combustion of fuel material depends on the volume of air intake. Accordingly, the less oxygen is sent to the chamber, the longer the same firewood will burn. It is this possibility of regulation that provides a stove-fireplace for giving long-lasting burning, which can be left for a long time without supervision. This principle of work 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 rapid 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 traction control function is optionally provided for in almost all factory configurations. The manual regulation is provided through a slide or an ashtray. Moreover, the same stove-fireplace for giving long-term burning in some versions is equipped with automatic control. This means that the monitoring system independently controls the volumes of oxygen supply, choosing the most optimal operating modes. Decisions to reduce or increase the amount of incoming air are taken on the basis of temperature sensors that monitor the parameters of the microclimate.

Installation of a fireplace oven

One of the advantages of fireplace stoves is the absence of strict requirements for the organization of a foundation base. The ready installation is placed in the most favorable place from the point of view of heat distribution, observing the fire safety standards. Nevertheless, manufacturers still supplement sets of stove fireplaces with special underlays made of non-flammable or heat-resistant materials. As a rule, such devices do not need additional fixation. It is important to observe and distance from flammable objects of interior decoration. Normally the manufacturer's recommended distance is 1-2 m. The main installation operations are for the organization of the chimney. Channels that are planned to be used in conjunction with solid fuel combustion chambers should include valves with holes 15x15 mm. Without fail, modern fireplace stoves are supplied with the aforementioned gates. This is a rotary gate element, which helps to manually adjust the channel capacity. The base of the chimney is formed from prefabricated parts made of the same stainless steel. A typical construction is made up of double-layered steel pipes, the insulation of which has heat-shielding properties. Of course, connoisseurs of traditional solutions do not disregard the brick chimney systems, but such decisions have long been recognized impractical and less secure.

Operation of the unit

For the melting it is necessary to prepare the combustion material in advance and lay it in the combustion chamber. At this stage, the gate should have a position of average oxygen admittance so that the material can flare up slowly without the risk of being extinguished by strong air currents. This applies to both wood and pellet models. The firewood should not be placed too tightly, otherwise there will not be enough room inside the furnace to allow air to pass through and the flame will be strangled. As for the ash pan, it must first be opened to ensure ventilation. In the future, the regulation of combustion will be carried out in accordance with specific requests. Long-term combustion mode will require closing the ash pan, as well as minimizing the free passage for air admission. Intensive firing is also done with a closed ash box, but with an open gate. Additional tabs should be made only with open flaps, and then return them to their original state. Again, high-tech fireplace ovens in modern versions relieve users of such manipulations. Both the damper and the ash pan are automatically adjusted in accordance with the parameters of the set operating mode.

Maintenance

The owner of the furnace must regularly take care of the state of the structure in operation. First of all, this concerns the basic operations of cleaning the ash pan and combustion chamber. Add to this the reliability check of the functional parts of the unit - from the reliability of the flap to the tightness of the heat-resistant glass. Also, to maintain the durability of the basic design, it is necessary to use special heat-resistant paints. For example, some manufacturers produce silicone enamels in cans or cans. These funds are designed for painting surfaces. Thus, in particular, maintenance of cast-iron stoves of a fireplace type is carried out - in the time specified by the operation instruction the composition is applied to the surface. Then it is necessary to wait until the applied coating dries. A full cycle of polymerization will provide a new level of strength and durability of the metal surface to various kinds of impacts and loads.

Manufacturers

Despite the specificity of the segment, there are many fireplaces of this type on the market. And among the producers there are a lot of domestic companies. For example, a fireplace stove "Meta" is presented in a large assortment. The developers offer both traditional furnace designs and models designed for contoured water heating. The stove fireplaces of this brand have many advantages, including a massive combustion chamber, a universal mechanism for connecting to the heating circuits and allowing the possibility of a wall installation.

From the point of view of decorative value, variants from Vyal and K are of interest. For example, facing is performed at a high artistic level by professional masters. The materials of decoration are also interesting. At will, the future owner can order the design of marble, multi-colored majolica or fireclay bricks.

The products of Thermofor are also widely represented on the market. Her family "Kalina" contains models with large translucent screens, original design and thoughtful heating infrastructure. In some modifications, for example, the fireplace furnaces "Termofor" are equipped with an unusual labyrinth gas duct, due to which high-speed and powerful heating is achieved.

How to choose the right fireplace stove?

The choice of any heating unit begins with the determination of the required power. This parameter depends on the area of the target, the number of rooms in the house and the number of people living, etc. Next, you need to decide on the form factor. That is, the design is determined, which will take the most advantageous place in the target location. On the market there are classic wall models, and island modifications, as well as angular versions. Also it will not be superfluous to determine in advance with the functionality. In some models, fireplace chalets allow cooking and cooking. Similar functions may have an optional filling principle, but this is rather a departure from the very idea of a hybrid fireplace.

Conclusion

Technologically, fireplace structures are the least developed representatives of the general segment of heating units. They are still oriented more on aesthetic value and are designed to complement the premises as an element of design design. True, this function does not do without the support of modern technologies. Suffice it to mention fireplace ovens with heat-resistant glass, which provides reliable protection against the spread of fire and at the same time allows them to admire. Another example of the introduction of innovations into this niche is the automated control system of the gate. However, here we are talking about the support of ergonomic and production qualities of equipment. On the other hand, the class of conservative fireplace stoves is quite stable in the market, the developers of which refuse fundamentally not only from new technological solutions but also reluctantly endow structures with practical properties, since they most often reject the product from the spirit of classical fireplaces.