anthracite heaters - does anybody use one?

[maumau]

Thank you everybody.

Looks as if it may be an option if we're prepared to do the extra work of cleaning and lighting it. It certainly is cheaper than electricity so we're doing a bit more research and will visit a few retailers. Appreciate the input.

 

[Seriously]

Thank you everybody.

Looks as if it may be an option if we're prepared to do the extra work of cleaning and lighting it. It certainly is cheaper than electricity so we're doing a bit more research and will visit a few retailers. Appreciate the input.

My 2 cents.

Look for the smokeless free standing unit to be mounted next to an outside wall for the flue. Ask if possible that it has and intake connection from the outside to suck in the required combustion air else it would suck in air from the room environment and the air exits the flue thus creating a "draft" of cold air coming in from outside to replace the wasted air. Ask for dual fuel wood/Anthracite fireplace.

http://www.beckers.co.za/index.php?page=SiteContent&pagemenu=7
http://www.fireplaceshoppe.co.za/
http://www.morso.co.za/
http://www.turbovent.co.za/fireplaces.html

This would be my choice. Satisfaction guaranteed!

http://www.designerfireplaces.co.za/fireplace-products/
http://www.biofire-fireplaces.co.za/
http://www.biofire-fireplaces.co.za/wp-content/uploads/BioFire-the-inner-working.pdf
http://www.biofire-fireplaces.co.za/fireplace-photos/

 

[ijacobs3]

mine was in the house when we moved in , never installed properly, so i took it out, and converted to a standard fireplace, i half want to sell mine

 

[Sinbad]

I've got one sitting in the garage, seriously considering getting it installed.
We have a gas fireplace, but that thing uses 0.5-1kg per hour... so R10 to R20 per hour. It's insane.

 

[tcofran]

Quick question, where would i buy a "fireplace" similar to the one they use in the Dros restaurants ? the ones with the gas and stones ?

 

[maumau]

Here's quite a detailed discussion on wood burning/multi fuel burners for anyone who's interested. These guys are all delighted with theirs:

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=116749

Thanks for the links Seriously. Not only is wood available locally by the ton but we also have compressed sawdust logs and pellets. Cosy, cheap(ish) and eco-friendly.

 

[Ryno123]

Watch out for installation cost when comparing heater prices.....

I had a Becker installed last winter. Cheapest of the lot, but equally effective and not bad looking at all.

 

[maumau]

After a bit of research it looks as if Calore is the way to go. Neither jetmaster nor megamaster had a sales person available to give advice.

Neither company does the installation. If there's a problem the supplier might blame the installer and vice versa. The Calore salesman visits your house to advise which model to buy and where to situate it.

A suitable model costs R12 000 and R15 000 before installation. We have an existing fireplace which was bricked up years ago so hopefully they can open it up and install the Calore there.

The salesman says R500 per month should cover the cost of wood.

Calore also sell fully automatic wood pellet burners if anybody's interested.

I still have a couple of Seriously's links to check out, those biofires in particular look interesting.

 

[Saba'a]

Not going anthracite route?

 

[maumau]

It seems that anthracite fireplaces need the ash removed avery day. Too much PT for a lazy person like me

These slow combustion wood burning fireplaces work so efficiently the ash only gets cleaned out once a week or even every 10 days.

Compressed wood logs burn longer, cleaner and take up less space to store. You can also use logs - bluegum grows quickly and the trees have shallow roots causing them to blow over in very strong wind so in a way i feel i'm doing my bit for the environment

 

[maumau]

Quick question, where would i buy a "fireplace" similar to the one they use in the Dros restaurants ? the ones with the gas and stones ?

Not sure which ones the Dros has. Maybe post a pic when you go again

 

[Saba'a]

It seems that anthracite fireplaces need the ash removed avery day. Too much PT for a lazy person like me

These slow combustion wood burning fireplaces work so efficiently the ash only gets cleaned out once a week or even every 10 days.

Compressed wood logs burn longer, cleaner and take up less space to store. You can also use logs - bluegum grows quickly and the trees have shallow roots causing them to blow over in very strong wind so in a way i feel i'm doing my bit for the environment

Thanks. I have an old anthracite heater. Anything different in modern ones?
Edit - a UNIVA

 

[maumau]

To be honest I don't know. Once I heard about the slow combustion I changed focus.

The only full-on anthracite heater I saw was a Beckers manufactured in Holland (nice price - about R5/6 000), others are multi-fuel and use wood, coal and anthracite.

If you have an anthracite heater I'd use it.

 

[Saba'a]

What I do is start a couple of anthracite in a firestarter and then place in heater. Issue is keeping it going longer than overnight.

 

[Saba'a]

Anybody have a manual to use a Univa anthracite heater?

 

[The_Mowgs]

It seems that anthracite fireplaces need the ash removed avery day. Too much PT for a lazy person like me

These slow combustion wood burning fireplaces work so efficiently the ash only gets cleaned out once a week or even every 10 days.

Compressed wood logs burn longer, cleaner and take up less space to store. You can also use logs - bluegum grows quickly and the trees have shallow roots causing them to blow over in very strong wind so in a way i feel i'm doing my bit for the environment

You will NOT regret a combustion fireplace. Its awesome. I have 1 in the house (12kw) and use about 15 pieces of wood a night. Get one where you can set the amount of air entering the fireplace. Will burn wood slower/faster depending on need.

 

[maumau]

Thats wonderful to hear, thanks Mowgs. It's looking good for one of these. Heaters have their place but nothing beats coming from the outside chill into a warm room.

Will check for the adjustable airflow.

 

[ijacobs3]

 

[ijacobs3]

Toasty warm

 

[maumau]

We're in a smoke free zone so no option there