Chimney questions

[Junior Bianno]

Just opened up an old fireplace - want to get it working either as an open fire or stove. Now that I've removed the cladding and look up into the chimney this is what I can see? Is this a flue liner? Or something else? Looks very clean as if it has never been used though. We've only been here 3 years so assume the last people did this. This is the view looking directly up the chimney.



If it is a flue liner is it just as simple as installing a grate or stove and just using it

[TooLateForAName]

Looks like a flue liner.

How big is it? You could be looking at a single skin flue used with a gas fire - ie not suitable for a woodburner type thing. The fact that it all seems so clean makes me suspect gas fire use.

[CedGTV]

Looks like a Copex Flue liner.

Get it tested for the draw and if all's well, get one fitted.

[Junior Bianno]

Hmmm - when we moved in there was one of those old fashioned gas fires sitting on the hearth. Something like this



We had it removed and the gas pipes taken away. Don't use the room much so we just blocked up the hole.

The liner looks like it is about 4-6 inches. Wouldn't this be suitable for an open fire? Is it something to do with single and double skins and the chimney drawing properly. Any advice much appreciated - I know nothing about this!

[Laurel Green]

I think you would need a full nine inches for an open fire. Probably get away with less for a stove connected directly to the flue. I'd imagine dealers websites would give the dimensions necessary for a given stove.

[koolchris99]

Id install a wood burner in that, as said above i dont think its big enough for a open fire.

Cheers

[Junior Bianno]

Thanks for the responses. Was thinking about putting something like this in

http://www.woodburning-stoves.co.uk/instove-inset-...

The installation manual seems to suggest a flue of 150mm is sufficient so on the face of it the existing flue seems big enough.

Anyone any experience of this type of stove - are they any good. We only want to use it as an occasional fire for winter nights.

[russ_a]

You can't use a gas liner for a Wood Burning Stove

[Junior Bianno]

Aargghh!!! This is the problem - I don't know what it is exactly. It looks exactly like this which is for burning solid fuel



http://www.castfireplaces.co.uk/583-896-large/chim...

Any ideas how I get a definitive answer on this - do I need to get a stove place out to look at it?

[thinfourth2]

Can you borrow a small child to go up there and measure it?

[russ_a]

Even if you measure it can you be sure it has the correct rating for your stove.

[grumpyscot]

1. You can't use a gas flue for a wood or coal stove (already been said)
2. For gas, the liner must be in one whole piece - a join is not acceptable / permitted nowadays

[mybrainhurts]

grumpyscot said:

1. You can't use a gas flue for a wood or coal stove (already been said)

Any idea why...?

[Simpo Two]

How did it have an 'old fireplace' under it?

[russ_a]

mybrainhurts said:

Any idea why...?

I think it will melt

[Junior Bianno]

OK - visited a stove showroom and spoke to the chaps there. Apparently (and most of this is stated above in various posts but I just needed to double check everything) the following applies:

1. I have a gas liner that is absolutely not suitable for solid fuel fires
2. If I use it for the above, it will indeed melt.
3. The chimney sweep can whip it out and smoke test the chimney. If it passes OK I can use it with no flue for an open fire
4. Flue for a stove is always recommended but not strictly necessary depending on state of chimney. If a flue is required it must be suitable for stoves and a minimum 6". If for an open fire it must be a minimum 7".

Chimney sweep booked and we'll take it from there. Thanks for the replies