open fire in living room

[mk2phil]

We've moved into a house where the previous occupiers used to have an open fire in the living room. They had a modern stone fire surround fitted and had the chimney swept regularly, and from memory they used oval coal as the fuel.

We would now like to do the same and will shortly buy one of the cast iron type stoves from B&Q or alike - think they're about £40. The question is, can we simply buy the stove, put it inside the fireplace and start burning wood/coal?

Do we need to do anything else, or is it as easy as it sounds/looks - just stick it in the fireplace, light the wood/coal and away you go?

Worried about fumes entering the living room.

After a bit of hunting around, whats the difference between a log fire and stove?

All I'm looking for is a grate type thing where we can burn wood and get a bit of warmth.

The old fireplace used to house a back boiler but this has since been removed and a modern boiler is now fitted in the kitchen. SO, I assume there would have been a gas flue/liner fitted inside the chimney. For the previous owner to have been using a log fire in there would that flue have to been removed?

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lynda, moderator

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[Belle427]

it may be better to get in touch with a sweep so he can advise and come and do his checks such as checking the draw on the chimney,if they were burning logs i would have expected an appropriate liner to be fitted but you never know,may be some info on here http://server.iad.liveperson.net/hc...ce/kb-8151059324347319458/front_page!PAGETYPE

 

[RigidRaider]

You definitely need the advice of a chimney sweep, who will also educate you on stoves vs. fires.

Trouble is, they're all booked up until late January at the moment.

 

[serge33]

the chimney may not be lined, they were only lined if the internal fabric of the chimney was damaged or in bad repair, you will know when it is swept and aslong as no loose material comes down it should be fine,

Check you are not in a clear skis section of the UK, would mean you can only burn smoke free stuff.