RESPONSIBILITY |
WOOD BURNERS
KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING COMEDIENNE ELLEN DE GENERES JOKED THAT TAKING A NAP IN A FIREPLACE IS GUARANTEED TO MAKE ONE SLEEP LIKE A LOG ... BUT THERE’S MORE TO FIRE AND WOOD-BURNING STOVES THAN MEETS THE EYE.
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lames have the power to mesmerise, whether they’re behind glass in a closed wood burning unit or open in a fireplace or even an outdoor firepit. The constant movement, changing shapes and colours keep the eye drawn to them while the body relishes the warmth and heat being given off. More and more South African home owners are opting to install wood burners to heat their residences during the cold winters. This is practical in more than one respect since it allows people to become more self sufficient while not having to rely on electricity for heating and in the long run is cheaper. Gas is another offthe-grid option but it doesn’t heat a room or house as effectively as a wood burner
and it often happens that at peak demand periods – like cold winters – supplies can be somewhat sporadic. So what are the questions one needs to ask before opting to buy a wood burning stove? The first one is whether the unit should be cast iron or the more modern welded steel versions. Cast iron is obviously heavier and more expensive but is somewhat more robust and durable because of its construction. Steel units are invariably welded and offer more contemporary styling which is why so many buyers/designers/ architects opt for them. They are just as robust but are somewhat lighter and relatively cheap. They have the added
