The trend of putting a mini stove within the fireplace has originated in Britain and it’s rapidly spreading all around the world.
It is spreading in Italy as well because it’s a stylish and alluring decorating idea, capable of combining the original spirit of the heart of the home with the convenience of a clean and efficient heating system.
Hi-tech and eco-friendly stoves
Apart from the aesthetic mix of colours, shapes and materials, these designer stoves also have a green soul that respects the environment and allows for energy saving.
Wood stoves and the latest pellet stoves have undergone technological innovation, giving them better performances and the best energetic efficiency.
Ecological stoves certified “Clean Air” guarantee a clean and efficient combustion, using automatic control systems for the energy dispersion, and they can recover the ashes coming from the burning of wood or pellets. This ash is then used as fertiliser for the garden.
Heating technology industry has created more and more advanced systems capable of carrying out many functions autonomously.
Just think about the cleaning of the stove or the refilling of the combustible, or even complex examples of IoT (Internet of Things) with integrated microprocessors that make the stove completely interactive.
Automatic control systems have been inserted within the stoves, allowing to program the turning on and off or to calibrate the flame autonomously.
The stove dialogues with the smartphone (or tablet and PC) to manage remotely in a simple and intuitive way the various functions available, even diagnostic.
The most advanced models are capable of heating more spaces at the same time, thanks to hot air canalisation which can cover long distances.
They can even provide for warm water, having de facto the same functions of a boiler, with the plus of a beautiful exposed flame!
Stove or Fireplace?
It is hard to say, because both solutions present unique factors of charm and convenience. As with every choice though, this must be well pondered starting from scratch (budget, pre-existent style, room layout) to your real necessities and lifestyle.
Generally speaking, we can highlight a greater versatility of the stove (a freestanding item capable of adapting to every context) rather than a classic fireplace with a more complex design.
Moreover, stoves, especially pellet stoves are completely automatic (they clean and fuel themselves) and are so more suitable to those who have spare time to dedicate to maintenance.
However, the fireplace has always had a particular allure in collective imagination, the romantic and nostalgic image of a crackling wood fire can not be put off so easily.
Furthermore, modern pellet fireplaces guarantee for a minimum maintenance, as much as the stoves, and at the same time they can replicate a flame (almost) comparable to the one made from wood.
