Fireplaces

Most dampers are designed to close DOWN, and are kept closed by the weight of the damper. Get a pair of safety glasses and a flashlight, check for foreign material or mortar that may be keeping the damper from seating, and that the metal of the damper plate is not warped.

Heat-n-glo are much better products, much higher quality. Empire offers similar much cheaper versions. Both can be very nice. Heat-n-glo is the higher end brand.

A house can be made so tight that negative pressure can develop inside. Try opening a door or window near by when you try to light the stove. This should equalize the pressure between the house and the outside. You should be able to start the updraft.

No- very early or primitive fireplaces did not. Yours SHOULD have one- it may have been removed if there was a wood stove exhausted through the fireplace at some point. Time to get dirty- if you have not already done so, get a pair of safety goggles (you WILL get stuff in your face) a strong flashlight, clean out the fireplace, and lay back in the firebox so you can look up. The damper should sit in a steel frame, normally hinged to swing UP the chimney. If missing, contact a contractor the specializes in chimney service- one can be fitted for you, or a replacement damper provided.

the flue should be opened

In general, open. Doors may be closed when fire has burned down. Even tempered glass may shatter during very hot burns.

only if you like heat or have an electric heater. If it doesn't use gas & is an open-heated fireplace, then yes.

If both fireplace and furnace are BOTH gas, if the flue has the correct size, AND if your building code permits, yes. If furnace and fireplace are different fuels, no. Check with your local building inspection department.

Not a good idea. Many of those stoves with a water heating coil on the back rely on constant supply of water to prevent overheating the water piping. Without that, you could warp or damage the water coil.

I don't remember the name of the company, but it was the Lynskey family in Chattanooga Tennessee. After they stopped making stoves, the owners sons went on to start Lightspeed bicycles which they later sold, and now own Lynskey Performance bicycles.

The value of a Gray and Dudley wood-burning stove with the number 332 can vary significantly based on its condition, age, and market demand. Typically, such stoves can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars if in good condition and with desirable features. To determine a more accurate value, consider checking recent sales on platforms like eBay or consulting with antique dealers or appraisers specializing in vintage stoves.

Depends- some as "gas assist"- a woodburning fireplace with gas jets- you can use either. Some are gas only- never meant to burn wood. Which do you have?

A note of caution- since it is 2 days after Christmas- and folks may be looking at disposing of a Christmas Tree. Burning branches from a Christmas Tree, with needles in place, will result in an incredibly HOT and FAST fire. You have a very high chance of starting a chimney fire, setting your home on fire, and being called very bad names by your Significant Other. While WOOD from a Fraser fir might be burned (not really great firewood, but can be burned) please do NOT try to dispose of your Christmas tree in the fireplace. Best wishes for a happy, SAFE New Year-

Also known as a thermocouple- device generates very small eletrical current from heat of the pilot light, which permits gas valve to open only when pilot light is lit.

If it is a wood burning fireplace- yep.

If holding the controls in the LIGHT position for about 15-30 seconds does not keep your pilot lit, there is probably a problem with the thermocouple. That is the small tube that the pilot flame touches. Be sure it is not bent, and being missed by the pilot flame. They do go bad, and require replacement.

Most makers recommend that IF you shut down a pilot light for the summer, you have the system inspected and serviced before restarting. The pilot light also serves to drive off moisture from your controls during summer, preventing corrosion. See what YOUR manufacturer suggests.

Most are made from sheets of steel. The steel is cut, usually by shears, welded together, may have firebrick liner, and painted.

A lot of fireplace rugs are made of wool or microfiber, which can withstand the heat of being near a fire. Even better is a woven fiberglass which is even fire resistant, so if a burning ember or log rolled out of the fire and landed on it, you wouldn't have a household fire on your hands! I'll share a link to an example fire proof rug.

See link below- Martin lists 4 companies as their sales reps.

It's as safe as any fuel provided the chimney draws appropriately and the wax Myrtle is well-seasoned, I.e. dry and not green.. That being said, it's a soft wood and burns quickly with little heat output so it's hardly worth the bother.

Depends on how long you use it each time. For a burn of a few hours, you would use ABOUT 6 cubic feet of wood. Used twice a week, you would burn a cord of wood in 11 weeks.

It burns quite well- and it is in fairly high demand for smoking and grilling meat. You may be able to trade apricot for a larger quantity of regular firewood. It is milder than hickory, and imparts a sligtly sweet taste to meats. Similar to apple wood.