riv

Hello.

My trad style Portuguese 'casa te'rrea' has an open fireplace in the living room.

Lady I bought it off states it has never been lit in the 20 years she has owned the place.

Obv. it would be unsafe to just light a fire without it first being inspected / cleaned etc.. [ Do chimneys need lining with metal these days ? ]

I am unsure whether I would prefer to just have an open fire in winter or install a log burner. Maybe I should start with an open fire and see how it works, whether warm enough for the room in Dec- March ? ( Will the ash be good for orange and lemon trees ? )

Anyway, all the above is to ask if anyone has a recommendation for a well qualified / experienced chimney sweep who can be guaranteed to leave a fireplace and chimney SAFE to light a fire in when the cold comes. Ditto log burner installer ?

Thanks

mfesharne

Do yourself a favour & just buy a wood pellet burner (preferably with electric fan) & have them install it with a flue liner as well................... They're 99% easier to clean, maintain & feed & you don't end up with everything covered in soot & stinking of smoke.

Wood burners & open fires are charming at first but that charm soon wears off & when it does they become a royal PITA.

GeniB

No but your neighbours do... The stink from the two pellet burners either side of us is horrendous. Smells like old wet burn't wood....

nogard

Wood ash is an excellent source of P and K; very good for the soil.

riv

So - anyone have the , or a, recommendation I originally requested : for someone who is a competent, safe, chimney / log burner installer / engineer ?
Are they regulated like in France ?

Jonny22

riv

Eastern Algarve .

MrBife

Your best starting point would be Jeff at Fires of Portugal - they are in Salir. Google search for 'firesofportugal salir'