Wakefords Fireplaces and Stoves

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Will I Need Fireplace Tools?

If you are considering getting a fireplace or have recently made a purchase, you may need to get yourself some tools and accessories to use it. Fireplace tools are there to be used to handle the fire in a way that makes it safer, more manageable, and generally more enjoyable. They can also serve a decorative purpose; fireplace accessories can be antiques and enhance the beauty of your fireplace. So what tools and accessories are there? And which will you need to operate and improve your own fireplace? Here are some of our recommend fireplace tools for you to use.

Fireplace Tongs

In order to move your burning logs around to control the fire, you will need fireplace tongs. Using fireplace tongs you can breathe more air into the fire and enables the fire to burn better as a result. The size of the logs and the size of the fire will dictate the length and style of the fire tongs you need. There are tongs with styles from different countries for those who have a preference for style. If you have existing equipment, it may be best to match the style of those pieces and the style of your fireplace. Fire tongs are often seen immediately next to the fire for ease of use and decoration.

Fire Poker

Next to the tongs, fire poker is the most common fireplace tool you will see. It allows you to stoke the fire and move the burning logs around. Similarly to the fireplace tongs, you can use a fire poker to give the fire more oxygen and create a better burn with less ash and smoke being produced. An easy to use tool, kept by the fireplace, the fire poker can come in a wide range of styles and designs – perfect to match any fireplace design or existing tools you have for your fireplace and are often seen with tongs in a set by the fire.

Fireplace Shovel

Once you have a nice fire going and you have the tools to manage it while it burns, you’ll need to find a tool to help handle the amount of ash that sits in the fireplace. If there is too much ash in the fireplace, the oxygen in the fireplace won’t be able to reach the fire properly and prevents it from burning nicely. However, you don’t want to remove all of the ash, it keeps a nice insulating layer between the cold of the floor and the fire. This means that when it comes time to light the fire, it can be done so quickly and easily. A functional tool to be used on a regular basis and a common sight next to the fireplace.

Fireplace Brush

Not seen as often as the tools listed above, the fireplace brush is used to sweep ashes back into the fireplace. The ashes are scooped up by a fireplace shovel and controlled with the brush; the best way to manage the level of ash in the fireplace. Similarly to the fireplace tongs, the size and style of the right fireplace brush will depend on the type of fireplace you have.

Get In Touch

The items listed here aren’t all of the tools available but they are the most recommended and needed for any wood-burning fireplace. For more information on your fireplace, get in touch with the Wakeford team on 01483 223900 or get in touch today to book a visit to our showroom.

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Cleaning Your Fireplace and Keeping It Tidy

To ensure maximum performance and enjoyment from your fireplace, you will need to keep it clean and functioning at its best. A fireplace is an excellent addition to your living room (or anywhere else they fit!) and can match both modern and traditional styles of room. However, a fireplace can create a mess if not properly cleaned and maintained. If you have an open fire and not an electric or gas fireplace, you may find that it can develop into quite a mess, especially during the winter months and it’s used more frequently. So here are a few things you can do to keep your fireplace clean and tidy.

Do I Need To Clean My Fireplace?

You won’t need to do a deep clean for your fireplace every week, so don’t panic. There isn’t a set ruling on how often you need to clean your fireplace, it depends on how often it is used and a number of other factors. That being said, regular cleaning of your fireplace will ensure it maintains its quality and levels of safety. The risk of a chimney fire is increased when the fireplace isn’t cleaned out, creosote can condense inside the fireplace and get stuck on the inside. This happens with a smokey fire that doesn’t have enough oxygen emits a lot of unburned tar vapours.

When Do I Need To Clean My Fireplace?

Some of the more heavily used fireplaces will produce a large quantity of soot, these will require a more regular cleaning than most. Alongside the build-up of soot and creosote there are a few more occasions that will require cleaning of your fireplace; when a dead bird or animal becomes lodged in the chimney, and excess smoke is a more serious sign that the fireplace and chimney need to be cleaned. If your fireplace is producing excess smoke, your chimney is no longer working effectively and it could be producing a health risk.

Get in Touch

If you have a question about your fireplace or want to learn about the best options for fireplaces, get in touch with the Wakeford team today on 01483 223900 or email us at info@wakefordfireplaces.com. Alternatively, you can book an appointment to visit our showroom today.

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Traditional Vs Modern Fireplaces

If you’re in the market for a new fireplace or you want to replace your existing fireplace, you will be met with the decision between purchasing a traditional fireplace or a more modern option. Now, there are going to be benefits to both options, but you’ll need to make an informed decision about which is best for you and your home. Some of the traditional fireplaces may not be suited for how your home is built, and some modern fireplaces may have features or operate in a way that doesn’t match your style. Here is some advice on what you can look for between traditional and modern fireplaces.

Modern and Traditional Fireplace Controls

Typically modern appliances and devices come with a new level of convenience and usability; fireplaces are no exception. Having a simple control systems or even operated by a remote or mobile app, a modern fireplace brings a level of convenience that a more traditional fireplace simply won’t be able to have. You’ll be able to control the intensity of the fire, brightness and even set it to a timer. With the advancement of technology and the integration of smart apps and home automation, a modern fireplace is more future-proof and a better option for anyone interested in gadgets.

Unlike their modern counter-parts, a traditional fireplace will have to be controlled manually, the user simply placing the wood into the fireplace to burn. It’s not as flashing as the modern fireplace but if you want straight-forward and easy to use, then the traditional fireplace is the choice for you. There is something to be said for the satisfaction of having your own logs stacked and lighting the fireplace, as good as the modern fireplaces are, a traditional fireplace is simple yet effective.

gas fire

Space and Safety of Fireplaces

Other than how they practically operate, the space taken up by the fireplaces and how safe they are will be the defining qualities for anyone looking to make a purchase. Traditional fireplaces aren’t very efficient when it comes to space and some types of properties won’t be able to have them at all. They need a lot of space and additional space needs to accommodate logs and pieces of wood. Additionally, because of the nature of a traditional fireplace, they aren’t considered as safe as modern fireplaces. However, the output you get from a traditional fireplace and the aesthetics of them is alluring to many and given the right situation, a great addition to a home.

Modern fireplaces are generally considered more efficient, customisable and compact compared to traditional options. They can be very compact and built into most rooms you’d want a fireplace in. Because of this they are an option growing in popularity. They’re typically considered safer too; no need for large fire guards or running the risk of catching fire to anything around the room – being powered by gas or electricity.

Get In Touch

Ultimately the choice falls down more into a personal preference of the person making the purchase; given that your home is suited for a traditional fireplace, many people like to go for this option as it creates a fantastic atmosphere and the genuine heat produced by an actual fire is hard to replace. The Modern fireplaces come with more options for those looking to implement some style into their choice. They’re able to fit into smaller rooms and run at a cheaper cost, don’t require additional space for logs and burning material and have considerably lower risks of danger and damage. If you want to know more about both traditional and modern fireplaces, get in touch with our team today.

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Do Electric Fireplaces Really Heat A Room?

How Do Electric Fireplaces Work?

There are a huge range of fireplaces available on the market these days and depending on your household, some options will be better suited than others. A modern option is an electric fireplace; a good option for a stylish change for the traditional fireplaces that provides more flexibility. How electrical fireplaces works is; a heating element that mimics the look of the traditional wood-burning fireplace, but your home doesn’t need any vent, chimney or professional installation for the fireplace. The electric fireplace draws in cool air from the room, heats it around a coil and then pushes the warm air back into the room via a fan. But how well do electric fireplaces work? Do they heat a room to the same effectiveness as traditional wood-burning fireplaces?

Can An Electric Fireplace Heat A Room?

If you have the option to get either a wood-burner, electric or gas fireplace, the biggest question your likely ask is the running cost and how effective each of them are. Obviously, there are a few variables to consider such as; the size of the room being heating, size of the fireplace and airflow and ventilation of the room. Typically, an electric fireplace is more efficient to run and will heat a room, it doesn’t do so as fast as the more traditional fireplaces. So, if you’re spending your day in the room, perhaps staying in an office while you work, then the electric fireplace is a good option. However, if you’re looking to warm up fast by the fire after coming home in winter, a traditional fireplace such as a wood-burning fireplace or gas fireplace, because it will heat the room faster despite not being as cost-efficient as the electric fireplace option.

Additional Factors

When deciding on this purchase, there are a few more factors to consider that the electric fireplace has that work in its favour over the traditional counterparts. When using the electric fireplace, it won’t produce the same CO2 particles that gas fireplaces will and it doesn’t create the smoke that wood-burning fireplaces do. It is also considered the most renewable option available, depending on how the electricity is produced. It is a fireplace without a chimney and therefore can be used in different parts of the house. Most newer electric fireplaces also come with an automatic shut-off feature that prevents the unit from overheating and preventing an electrical fire, the same control isn’t available for the wood-burning fireplace.

Do electric fireplaces really heat a room? The answer is yes – not as quickly as the traditional options but it does so in a safer and more efficient manner. With a number of benefits that make it an improvement on both gas and wood-burning fireplaces. A modern solution that we will see develop to be improved even further as technology advances. Take a look at our electric fireplaces today and get in touch if you have any questions.

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The Best Wood Burning Stoves By The Telegraph

The Telegraph has written an article on the best wood burning stoves and covers some of the latest developments in the world of wood burning stoves. Having a wood burning stove is one of the biggest trends for any middle-class homes, with new installations booming in recent years. However, Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, introduced a new ban on some of the most polluting wood burners. So, what does this mean for those looking to invest in a new wood burning stove and those who already have one that may not comply with the new ban? Firstly, don’t panic, the new ban doesn’t immediately take effect! It comes into action in 2022, giving you ample time to assess your stove and upgrade if necessary.

Some existing log burners already comply with the new legislation, being marked as “Ecodesign ready”. Any modern model (built within the last 5 years) are more likely going to be compliant, check with HETAS for a list of Ecodesign ready wood burners. Because of modern developments, wood burning stoves have higher efficiency ratings; reach over 80pc (compared to open fire at 30pc). Look for this rating when purchasing your own unit to ensure you are Ecodesign ready. There are over 400 models of stoves that are Ecodesign ready already with more expected to be available before 2022.

It’s important to get the right stove for you and your property; consider the size and location of the installation. It’s more than just a new appliance but an extension of your property. Talk to our experts if you have any questions about choosing the right log burner and we’ll be happy to help. Get in touch with our team today for our advice and take a look at the Telegraph’s best wood burning stoves article here.