The fireplace and stove installed in the room work differently. This should be taken into account by those who decided to acquire one of these structures in their home or country house.
Definition
Fireplace is a heating device, most often open type with a simplified design.
A stove is a structure that uses fuel and serves to heat a room or other purposes.
Comparison
Consider what a fireplace is. This is, as a rule, an open hearth and a straight chimney located above it. Moreover, the chimney has a large diameter to provide sufficient draft, which does not allow smoke to enter the room. Now let's pay attention to the furnace design. The active fire in it is covered with a damper, and the chimney is of such a design that hot gases overcome a complex trajectory of movement before going outside.
These structural features, which are the key difference between a fireplace and a stove, determine the level of heat transfer. The device of the fireplace does not contribute to the accumulation of heat, and a significant part of the heated air, as they say, flies out into the chimney. The maximum benefit in terms of heating can be obtained precisely while the fireplace is firing, but after that the room quickly becomes cold again. The plus, however, is that heat begins to flow into the room as soon as the fireplace is lit.
The operation of the kiln is more extended in time. It heats up not so quickly, but, having accumulated heat, evenly and for a long time gives it to the room. The source of energy by the fireplace is the blazing flame of the fire, and the space immediately in front of the open firebox is heated to a greater extent. The stove, on the other hand, radiates heat with its entire body and heats the entire surrounding space. For the best effect, the brickwork of the stove is made more massive.
In addition, since the design of the furnace includes a blower that allows you to control the air supply, there is a significant savings in the fuel used. In the device of the fireplace, such an element is not provided, and more fuel is burned with an open fire.
The described properties and characteristics determine the operation of each of the structures for different purposes. What is the difference between a fireplace and a stove? It can also be found in the fact that the fireplace is most often installed for aesthetic reasons. After all, it is he who creates an incredibly attractive atmosphere. The fireplace allows you to contemplate the play of fire, the room with it is filled with romance and comfort. However, such a structure can only act as an additional heat source. As the main heating device, it is advisable to use the stove.
Table
| Fireplace | Stove |
| Open hearth, straight stacked chimney | Indoor fire, compound chimney |
| Heat source - burning fire | Heat comes from the heated body |
| Gives off heat quickly, but not for long | Heats up more slowly, but also gives off heat for a long time |
| Heats the space in front of the firebox | Heats the entire room |
| Increased fuel consumption | Fuel economy |
| More decorative use | Used directly for heating |
