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Does the fireplace throw off enough heat
We are deciding between a large firepit or a fireplace. Just curious as to your choice of a fireplace.
by beautiful bones and purple stones · More Info
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To answer your question, IMHO, you have to ask yourself how it will be used. If you are routinely having large gatherings of people a firepit might work better since more people can gather around it and enjoy the heat given off. If, on the other hand, you have more intimate gatherings of two to four people a fireplace would suffice.
In my experience an outside fireplace can only accomodate 3-4 people to stay warm. If more than that someone has to back off while someone else comes close to warm up.
Wood burning fireplaces produce a pretty incredible amount of RADIANT heat once an ember bed is established. The "Grate Wall of Fire" maximizes that effect. Gas fireplaces . . . not so much.
The other unique thing about a single-sided fireplace is that the trapezoidal shape of the firebox reflects the heat in that one direction. Without anything to reflect against, the 360 degree effect of a firepit tends to seem like a lot less heat.
Unfortunately, as sub-visible light, it only heats one side of you, so you might have to move around a little on an especially cold evening to keep your other side from going numb.
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