​One of the things that we all love about the winter is spending those cold and wet afternoons all relaxed and cosy at home. There’s nothing nicer than snuggling up in front of the fire to watch a movie, read a book or just spend time with the family or friends.

Fireplaces are part of our history, they date back as far as the 1^st century AD. However, in reality they go back even further, to prehistoric times when they were used for warmth. Initially, the smoke came out of the flues horizontally and not vertically as it does now. Gradually, fireplaces developed and brought about great benefits for everyone.

Nowadays, fireplaces are still developing, with greater focus on safety and variety.

How many types of fires are there?

• Wood fires: we all know these, they tend to be easy to light and give out a pleasant heat on very cold days. However, although they provide the most heat, they are less common in modern houses. The negative aspect is that they generate more residue, you can’t regulate the heat, should not be left unattended and also need to be fitted.
• Gas fires: these replaced classic wood fires and are both easy and practical. One advantage is that don’t generate residue, can be instantly lit and are regulated like kitchen stoves. However, they require a more technical installation than wood fires and are also much more expensive.
• Bioethanol fires: bioethanol alcohol comes from the fermentation of sugars and burns cleanly, meaning that the emissions are non-harmful. Their advantage is that they provide a 100% energy performance and need no installation, while the disadvantage is that they can be expensive when frequently used. You also need to ensure that you buy the right bioethanol to avoid smells.
• Electrical fires: these are imitations of real fires that really only decorate your home. They do provide heat with an electric resistance, but they are not worth investing in if you want to keep your home warm. Their advantages are that they are 100% safe and don’t generate soot or residue.

What sort of fire can I install in my home?

The most difficult to install, and which also require legal building permission, are wood fires. They can only be fitted in detached houses under certain conditions, not in apartments or collective housing. The same applies to gas fires, and although it’s easier to get permission for them, they also require a license. The only ones that can be installed in apartments are the bioethanol and electric fires.

Her are a few tips on the proper maintenance of your wood fire:

1. Make sure you thoroughly clean it if you haven’t used it for some time. Check the flue, as residue can build up and stick to the sides. Clean at least once a year regardless of use.
2. The duct walls should be pristine and checked for any damage. If anything is detected, this must be fixed so that it doesn’t affect other adjacent elements in the house such as wiring, pipes etc.
3. We recommend you using dry wood, as it can smoke and generate soot when it is damp.
4. When you want light the fire or it is lit, avoid burning paper, magazines, cardboard or anything similar as they generate a lot of residue.
5. Don’t completely close the door on a wood fire or stove as you will slow down the release of smoke and generate more soot.
6. Let the fire go out on its own, it is not advisable to put it out with water or anything cold, as it could cause a lot of smoke and even catch fire.
7. Be very careful when throwing out the ashes, as they retain heat for days and can catch fire days later. Make sure you throw them into a wet container or put a cover over them to prevent fire.
8. If the fire has a glass door, clean it once the fire is out and it is cold.
9. If you want to clean the exterior of a wood fire, the best method is to use a little diesel kept in a spray bottle. Spray on to the cast-iron and clean with a cloth to keep in impeccable.

We hope that these tips help you to maintain and enjoy your fire safely during the coming cold weather.

Ah, and if you want to know which fire (wood or pellets) is best for your home, here’s a post to help you choose.

Come and buy your fire for this winter at Jaype, we are always happy to help you at our from store.