Wood Fireplace Beats Gas
There is nothing like a wood fireplace
In the age of natural gas and cleaner more efficient energies, there is one thing that simply cannot be replaced, and that’s a wood burning fireplace.
The convenience of the natural gas fireplace is fantastic. Flick a switch and there it is. The same flame, with the same look, and the “logs” arranged identically every time. Sure it throws off heat, but there’s something not natural about it. It feels non organic. And there certainly is nothing romantic about a gas fireplace. There’s no preparation. No mood enhancer. No sound. No smell. It’s a cold fire!
Now let’s compare that with a wood fireplace.
Setting up the fireplace is a ritual in itself. First you need to prepare the wood and kindling beside it. Since this is usually outside, it gets you up and out of the house to get it. The chances increase that you may experience something between getting the wood and bringing it in as opposed to flicking a switch on the wall after burning one calorie. You may catch a nice cool breeze on your face, see a beautiful bird perched on a tree, catch some Canadian Geese flying above, or get some much needed sun on your face.
After coming back inside with the wood and kindling, stack it beside the fireplace. To light it properly, some newspaper or fine kindling will do the trick. Naturally, some pieces of bark may have fallen around the fireplace as you brought it in. This is where the finicky people complain about cleanliness, but don’t let them tell you they prefer the gas fireplace to the wood burning fireplace, because they don’t. Because whenever people who have a gas fireplace come over and see and experience a wood burning fireplace, they are soon making calls to see if they can get one installed at their house. And they usually can’t because of the cookie cutter housing developments that are going up faster than the taxes. That’s because they are built too closely and thus create a fire hazard. If they are a fire hazard it’s not just because of a wood burning fire place, it may actually have something to do with the material new houses are built with. That in itself is something to think about before purchasing these types of homes.
The convenience of the natural gas fireplace is fantastic. Flick a switch and there it is. The same flame, with the same look, and the “logs” arranged identically every time. Sure it throws off heat, but there’s something not natural about it. It feels non organic. And there certainly is nothing romantic about a gas fireplace. There’s no preparation. No mood enhancer. No sound. No smell. It’s a cold fire!
Now let’s compare that with a wood fireplace.
Setting up the fireplace is a ritual in itself. First you need to prepare the wood and kindling beside it. Since this is usually outside, it gets you up and out of the house to get it. The chances increase that you may experience something between getting the wood and bringing it in as opposed to flicking a switch on the wall after burning one calorie. You may catch a nice cool breeze on your face, see a beautiful bird perched on a tree, catch some Canadian Geese flying above, or get some much needed sun on your face.
After coming back inside with the wood and kindling, stack it beside the fireplace. To light it properly, some newspaper or fine kindling will do the trick. Naturally, some pieces of bark may have fallen around the fireplace as you brought it in. This is where the finicky people complain about cleanliness, but don’t let them tell you they prefer the gas fireplace to the wood burning fireplace, because they don’t. Because whenever people who have a gas fireplace come over and see and experience a wood burning fireplace, they are soon making calls to see if they can get one installed at their house. And they usually can’t because of the cookie cutter housing developments that are going up faster than the taxes. That’s because they are built too closely and thus create a fire hazard. If they are a fire hazard it’s not just because of a wood burning fire place, it may actually have something to do with the material new houses are built with. That in itself is something to think about before purchasing these types of homes.
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The majority of the houses built today don’t even offer the fantastic feature of a natural wood burning fireplace. Instead they offer the cold, convenient gas
fireplace which of course has the gas companies lining up and smiling from ear to ear. Now wood does cost money, but it’s so much nicer! And likely evens out the gas bill in the end. |
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As you sit by the fireplace with your piece of art all ready to start, you wiggle your toes in anticipation, and take your slippers off. After lighting the match, the glorious fire reaches amazing proportions inside the little cave of your house. Tell me that your toes and feet are not thanking you? Your body has never felt such warmth! And look, the flame is different colours, different sizes and it makes a sound! Imagine that! It makes a sound, cracking and throwing pops of wood about in the fireplace while you watch and gaze into its wondrouspowers.
To be safe, make sure the wood harvested is two years old so it burns properly to avoid creosote buildup in the chimney. It’s a good idea to get your chimney cleaned every so often as well. This ritual can be repeated again and again if you take steps to enjoy it safely.
In the evening a roaring fireplace fills the room with an authentic, organic heat that simply cannot be matched by a gas fireplace. Once the coals have been established the heat will make the entire floor it’s on toasty warm. It’s also easy to maintain when it gets to this stage if all you want is a log or two to keep it going. This will allow you to truly relax while you enjoy a movie, read a book, or make love beside it.
A wood burning fireplace is very romantic. The sound and smell can put a spell on you and your lover. The sight can put you in a trance, and it’s very nice for a relaxing backrub while feeling the heat on your naked back. And naturally, a nice comfy blanket with a couple of pillows beside it is just the ticket to put you and your significant other in the mood for some
loving.
I would not even consider buying a house without a wood fireplace. And the companies offering these as an “upgrade” are criminal. Houses used to be built with them as standard
fare. If you want a cold gas fireplace, go buy a new house, but if you desire a wood burning, ambiance creating, loving, warm your skin down the bones experience, get a real fireplace, there are no substitutes.
To be safe, make sure the wood harvested is two years old so it burns properly to avoid creosote buildup in the chimney. It’s a good idea to get your chimney cleaned every so often as well. This ritual can be repeated again and again if you take steps to enjoy it safely.
In the evening a roaring fireplace fills the room with an authentic, organic heat that simply cannot be matched by a gas fireplace. Once the coals have been established the heat will make the entire floor it’s on toasty warm. It’s also easy to maintain when it gets to this stage if all you want is a log or two to keep it going. This will allow you to truly relax while you enjoy a movie, read a book, or make love beside it.
A wood burning fireplace is very romantic. The sound and smell can put a spell on you and your lover. The sight can put you in a trance, and it’s very nice for a relaxing backrub while feeling the heat on your naked back. And naturally, a nice comfy blanket with a couple of pillows beside it is just the ticket to put you and your significant other in the mood for some
loving.
I would not even consider buying a house without a wood fireplace. And the companies offering these as an “upgrade” are criminal. Houses used to be built with them as standard
fare. If you want a cold gas fireplace, go buy a new house, but if you desire a wood burning, ambiance creating, loving, warm your skin down the bones experience, get a real fireplace, there are no substitutes.
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