Answering a Few Common Questions About Wood Heaters
Posted on: 26 April 2018
Wood heaters, stoves, fireplaces and other such wood-burning items can create a very cosy atmosphere in the home, providing warmth and visual interest in a living room, family room or other such space. If you're thinking of getting a wood heater of some sort, note a few questions you might have about these items, and this will help you decide on the best choice for your home.
Can a wood stove or fireplace actually heat a home?
Depending on the size of the wood heater you choose and its placement in the home, this fixture can provide sufficient heat for a large room or even an entire floor of the home. However, you might prefer to have a glass door over the front of the heater so that burning embers don't fly out onto the home's flooring and so children and pets are kept away from the flames. This glass door can reduce the amount of heat that leaves the wood stove or fireplace. If you're choosing a wood heater for actual heat, consider a mesh screen instead of glass.
Can you actually cook on a wood stove?
While you can actually use a wood stove for cooking, don't assume that all wood stoves are alike or that you can use your standard pots and pans with such a stove. Some wood stoves are made with an insulated metal that is meant to keep the stove itself cooler to the touch for the sake of safety, and these may not be good for actual cooking. You also want to be careful of using oils over an open flame, as even a small spill can increase the risk of a fire growing out of control. If you do want to cook with your wood stove, choose one specifically meant for cooking, invest in cast iron cookware and never leave food unattended so you can quickly address spills or other hazards.
What does it mean to have a good draft?
A good draft refers to proper ventilation for your wood heater; this is needed so that the heater can draw oxygen in to create combustion. This ventilation will also pull smoke out of the heater and vent it outside the home. If you have a built-in fireplace that's very old or i fyou want to put the wood heater in a particular room that doesn't have access to an outside wall, your contractor may note that these don't have a good draft. In turn, you may need to replace that fireplace or relocate the heater for proper and safe ventilation.
Share