Log effect gas fires
What are the logs made of in log effect gas fires?
Although the logs, twigs and branches in log effect gas fires have the appearance of real wood, they are in fact made of a special ceramic material, just like you would find in many modern engineering components.
Unlike the ceramic material in, for instance, household china, the ceramic logs in log effect gas fires are more robust and less brittle. This is why they can withstand many years of repeated use without losing their inherent strength.
And, because of their ceramic composition, they do not stain as the result of coming into contact with real flames, day after day.
So, when buying a log effect gas fire, you can be sure of a great looking, durable heating appliance for many years to come.
When a log effect gas fire is burning, why is there no damage to the logs?
As explained above, the logs in log effect gas fires are made of a special ceramic material, similar to that found in many modern engineering components.
Unlike the ceramic material in, for instance, household china or ornaments, the ceramic logs in log effect gas fires are stronger and less fragile. This is why they can withstand a lifetime of operation use without losing their built-in durability.
And, because of their ceramic composition, they do not discolour or become damaged as the result of coming consistently into contact with real flames.
How many different types of log effect gas fires are there?
There are many kinds of log effect gas fires.
Firstly, there are the logs themselves. Because of their ceramic composition, they can be made to replicate standard, uniformly cut firewood, realistic twigs and branches, and even driftwood that has been washed up on the beach.
Next, you have the different sizes and shapes of log effect gas fires. These include standard Class 1 chimney inserts, letterbox fires, larger widescreen fires, 2, 3-sided and see-through tunnel fires and even log effect wood stoves that are run on mains gas or LPG.
Finally, there are different combustion arrangements depending on what is best for your home. If you have a standard chimney, you can still have a contemporary log effect gas fire installed that will use a combination of air from the living room and draught from the chimney for combustion.
If you don’t have a chimney, or want to install the fire in a different room, you can have a balanced flue, log effect gas fire. This is connected to a concentric flue pipe, which is normally concealed behind a heat resistant false chimneybreast.
Whichever option you choose, all modern log effect gas fires from DRU have a soothing appearance, are economical to run and easy to clean and maintain.
Is it safe to change the arrangement of the logs in a log effect gas fire?
You should always ask your DRU approved gas fire dealer if it is safe to change the arrangement of the logs.
Most modern log effect gas fires are set up by the dealer during installation to achieve the most realistic flame picture and deliver the best possible heat output.
However, providing your dealer tells you it is safe, you can change the composition of the logs in your fire according to how you want it to appear.
Of course, the fire must be turned off at the time and, to be absolutely safe, you should also turn off the gas supply at source.
Once the logs are arranged to your satisfaction, you should close the glass window and re-ignite your fire so you can enjoy your preferred log set arrangement.
How easy is it to install a log effect gas fire into a British chimney?
Most modern, log effect gas fires can be installed into a British chimney with very little building conversion.
If you select a fireplace insert, such as the DRU Global 40 of Global 55 log effect gas fires, they can be inserted directly into the chimney cavity and are ready to use almost immediately.
For more contemporary log effect gas fires, such as ‘hole-in-the-wall’ fires, that are fitted further up the chimneybreast, there is some building work to do, but it should take less than one day to complete.
The old chimney opening above the heath has to be bricked up, and a new opening made for the fire higher up the chimneybreast. Once the fire is installed, the new brickwork is plastered and you can start using your fire once the plaster has dried and you’ve redecorated the wall.
Most of the log effect gas fires that are recommended for UK chimneys are known as conventional flue, or open combustion gas fires. They are glass-fronted appliances that use a combination of air from the home and draught from the chimney for combustion.
Once installed, these fires have a clean, seamless appearance that transforms and old-fashioned chimney into an impressive, contemporary piece of domestic architecture.
Before installing a log effect gas fire, will my chimney have to be cleaned?
Before installing your new log effect gas fire, your DRU approved fire dealer will conduct a survey of your existing chimney. Depending on the results of the survey, it may require cleaning prior to the new fire being installed.
In addition, depending on the model of fire you choose and the condition of the chimney when cleaned, your dealer may also have to install a chimney liner to ensure that both the fire and chimney function properly.
If I don’t have a chimney, is it still possible to have a log effect gas fire?
The answer is yes. For homes with no chimney, you can have a beautiful, modern balanced flue log effect gas fire.
A balanced flue gas fire is normally built into a false chimneybreast that is made of a special heat resistant material. The fire assembly is concealed inside the chimneybreast, with just the glass window and the log fire display visible.
A concentric flue pipe is attached to the top or back of the fire. This uses natural convection to draw air from outside the building through the fire chamber, creating combustion that gives your log effect fire its high, realistic flames. The same flue also expels waste gases outside.
If I have a log effect gas fire, is there any danger of getting toxic fumes in the room?
Modern log effect gas fires are room-sealed appliances, with a glass window that both frames the fire and protects the home from any unwanted gases or fumes.
If your fire has open combustion, it draws air both from the home and draught from the chimney for combustion, but the heat output from the fire is completely clean, with any fumes escaping up the chimney.
If your fire has closed combustion, all of the air that circulates in the fire chamber originates in the flue, which draws the air from outside the building. The combustion process is both clean and efficient, with waste gases expelled to the outside through a separate chamber in the same flue.