Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

Gas Fireplaces, Logs, Inserts & Stoves

Alternative heating appliances have gained a lot of popularity over the past couple of decades. The reason for this is that many appliances like fireplaces, inserts, and stoves have become a lot easier to operate and are a lot more efficient. Heating appliances also can now burn a number of different fuel types. One traditional fuel that is commonly used is wood, but the labor and maintenance that goes into owning a wood burning appliance can turn some people off to owning one of these appliances. However, there are other fuel options available that allow you to enjoy a fire, without the hassles that accompany owning a wood burning appliance. At Old Smokey’s, we can help you choose an appliance. Whether you are looking to own a fireplace, log set, insert, or stove, we know that you’ll be happy with the gas fueled appliances that we offer.

Why Gas Appliances?

Homeowners are choosing gas appliances for a couple of reasons. First off, gas appliances are relatively easy to operate compared to their wood burning counterparts. Operating a gas appliance usually only consists of turning on a switch. Secondly, gas burning appliances only produce a minuscule amount of creosote, just a fraction of what a wood or coal burning appliance produces. This means gas appliances are usually easier to maintain and since they are cleaner burning, chimneys in gas appliances generally stay cleaner. Finally, gas burning appliances produce zero ash, so after you are done enjoying your fire, there is little to no cleanup needed.

Appliances That We Offer

We offer a wide range of gas appliances.  Whether you are looking for a fireplace, log set, insert, or stove, we have all of these appliances in a variety of design options. If you are unsure of what type of appliance you are looking for, Old Smokey’s can help guide you through the process of choosing which appliance is right for you.

Gas Fireplaces – A fireplace is a more traditional choice. Gas fireplaces are especially convenient because they are very versatile in regards to placement in your home.

Gas Log Sets – A gas log set is an appliance that is designed to mimic a real wood burning fireplace by using a set of fire-resistant ceramic logs which set on top of a gas burner.  The logs are designed to look like real wooden logs, which provide an authentic wood fire experience. Also, like a traditional wood fireplace, log sets are not meant to be a primary heating source.

Gas Inserts – A fireplace insert is a gas appliance that is inserted into an already existing open-hearth fireplace. Basically, an insert replaces your old firebox. This is convenient for people who would like to convert their old wood burning fireplace into a new gas one.

Gas Stoves – Many people like gas stoves because they are efficient and they put out a lot of heat. If you are looking for an appliance that will help to supplement your home’s heating, a gas stove might be the choice for you.

No matter what you are looking for in a gas appliance, we’ve got what you are looking for. If you have any questions about the types of gas appliances we have available, don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our showroom at 220 W State St, Ashley, IN 46705. We would love to help you find the right appliance today!

Reline Your Flue with HeatShield For Extra Protection This Holiday!

A well designed and constructed chimney can withstand the harshest conditions. From the bitter cold of winter, to the inferno of a roaring fire, your chimney should be able to handle wild temperature swings along with anything else that mother nature can throw at it. However, even the most well-built chimney will start to show weakness due to constant exposure to corrosive material such as creosote, and exposure to the elements. One of the places in your chimney that is susceptible to deterioration and breaking down is your chimney flue. Once your chimney flue starts to deteriorate and break down, it may only be a matter of time before it becomes a fire hazard. If damaged, you may think that your only option is to totally replace your chimney flue. However, we here at Old Smokey’s have another option available to you. If the damage to your flue isn’t too extensive, we may be able to save it with a product called HeatShield®. HeatShield® is a product that is designed to reline your chimney flue, filling in any cracks, chips or gouges, giving it a nice smooth surface. This allows your flue to operate like new again, and allow smoke, heat, and exhaust to exit your chimney quickly and easily. If your chimney flue needs minor repairs, HeatShield® could be a great option the could save you a lot of time, money, and energy.

Importance of flue health

It’s important to your chimney’s ability to operate safely that every component of your chimney is working well. This is true for your chimney flue as well. Have a crumbling, broken chimney flue can not only impede your chimney’s ability to work the way it is supposed to, but it can also be a tremendous safety hazard.

Cracks in flue tiles are also common. Cracks are usually caused by your home settling or by wild temperature swings. Although small cracks may seem harmless, they are still a cause for concern. This is because once a crack is formed, it can grow bigger until large pieces of your flue become detached. You flue tile can also start to chip. This is called spalling. This is an issue because smoke and gases can bump into these gouges causing it to bounce around and churn inside your chimney. This can lead to smoke backflow into your home. Cracking and spalling can be serious issues, because anything passing through your chimney can leak through these cracks and into your home, including toxic carbon monoxide gas. Detached flue tiles and gouges also allow heat to transfer more readily from your flue to your chimney, and if your chimney is too hot, it can ignite your home’s framework, causing a house fire.

HeatShield can help!

At Old Smokey’s we use a product called HeatShield® to fill in any gaps, cracks, or chips in your chimney flue. HeatShield® works by spreading a thin layer of refractrant on the inside of your flue. This refractrant fills in cracks and gaps in your flue and giving it a nice, smooth inside. HeatShield® is a wonderful option too because it’s cheaper, less messy and less time consuming than installing a brand new chimney liner. However, if it’s determined that your flue needs to totally be replaced, we here at Old Smokey’s can help you out with that as well

If you are having issues with your flue, it needs to be inspected and repaired right away. Waiting could put your home at risk and turn a simple repair into a bigger issue. Call us at 800-876-6539 or schedule an appointment online to set up an inspection today. We look forward to hearing from you and from all of us here at Old Smokey’s have a wonderful holiday season.