What Is LPG?

Liquefied petroleum gas (also called LPG, GPL, LP Gas, or liquid propane gas) is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuel in heating appliances and vehicles.
 LPG is composed primarily of propane and butane, while natural gas is composed of the lighter methane and ethane. LPG, vaporised and at atmospheric pressure, has a higher calorific value (94 MJ/m³ equivalent to 26.1kWh/m³) than natural gas (methane) (38 MJ/m³ equivalent to 10.6 kWh/m³), which means that LPG cannot simply be substituted for natural gas.

Predominantly in rural parts of the UK, LPG can provide an alternative to electricity and heating oil. LPG is most often used where there is no access to piped natural gas.LPG can be stored in a variety of ways. LPG, as with other fossil fuels, can be combined with renewable power sources to provide greater reliability while still achieving some reduction in CO₂ emissions. But just because you are restricted to LPG does not mean you cannot have an attractive an efficienct heating appliance. One website has over 200 different fires, fire baskets, stoves and wall heaters capable of running on LPG. Everything from the versatile yet stylish Drugasar Style range of balanced flue wall heaters, ideal for community buildings, warehouses or even office spaces to the incredibly stylish and affordable Verine Atina XL with cream stone fascia for designer living.
More traditional items are also available in LPG such as the Esse 500 Flueless gas stove, combining a traditionally cast iron body with the latest in Catalytic Flueless gas fire technology to create a stove that requires no flue while giving up an impressive 3.3kW of heat.
So while using LPG may restrict your options slightly it doesnt mean you can't have the fire of your dreams and spent many a cold wintery night in front of it and enjoying the ambience only a living flame can bring.

Gas, A Clean Fuel

There is a great deal of debate about fuels, ranging from Carbon pollution, cost of extraction and the effect on the environment. Gas is and always will be a very clean fuel. For example, when burning wood or similar solid fuel, small particles will be released (smoke). These are unburnt parts of fuel which are then wasted, you will also be left with waste by-products (ash).But when burning gas there are no particles released and your flue system stays, more or less, clean at all times.

Gas systems also allow you to easliy regulate the temperature in the house. With DRU gas fires this is all done via a Thermostatic remote control. All their systems are calibrated in the factory to ensure your fire runs as efficiently as possible. Wasting as little energy as possible and ensuring the maximum amount of heat is coming into the property rather than heating the outside world.

Gas is also, per kWh one of the cheapest sources of energy. It's no wonder really, why more and mroe consumers, both across the UK & Europe are choosing efficient, clean and attractive gas fires designed by Drugasar.

Adding to the appeal of DRU gas fires is that Europe is rich with gas, ourselves in the UK, as well as Norway, Holland and Russia all benefit from large reserves of gas, with expectations that further large reserves will be discovered in the future. Products such as gas fireplaces are becoming more and more efficienct, with up to 87% efficiency on the Metro 130. And with increasing advances in insulation, less and less heat is required to heat our homes. It is expected that for at least the next 100 years we will have sufficient gas reserves. However that does not mean we can take it for granted. This is also why Drugasar are always researching more and more techniques to extract more heat from the gas energy. One such addition is the MaxVent system popular with the Global range of gas fires. The complete Drugasar Range Of Gas Fires are available from Fireplace Megastore

Office and industrial heating

DRU gas heating systems are used extensively in offices, workshops, industrial units and even large factories throughout the UK. They can be used as the main source of heating for offices and industrial premises. They can also be used for supplementary heating in extensions to buildings or in portable accommodation.
DRU office and industrial heating systems can be found in a wide variety of commercial premises, including a central London hedge fund company, light industrial workshops in many inner city locations, offices and studios by the River Thames in Twickenham and the distribution centre of an international tool manufacturer in Nottinghamshire.
Heating for Leisure
DRU heaters have been installed in many leisure environments, such as sports halls, visitor centres and even in zoos. This is because DRU Art and Style series heaters can be run on LPG and need no electrical supply, so they are suitable for remote sites, portable buildings, livestock accommodation and animal houses.
Heating for Military
DRU heaters have been installed in a large number of military establishments, from the far South West of England to the far North of Scotland. They are also used in British Forces headquarters in Cyprus and other overseas locations.
They provide robust, efficient and reliable heating for military barracks, which are often in remote locations and subject to harsh weather conditions. DRU Art series heaters are most suitable for these kinds of premises as they can be run on LPG and require no electrical supply. So there is no danger of heat loss in the event of power failure.

Heaters for all applications
The DRU range of office and industrial heaters includes balanced flue models with heat outputs from 2 – 11 kw and powered flue models with forced air convection from 7 – 16 kw. They are available in a wide selection of colours and designs to compliment plush offices or more functional industrial and workshop environments.


Contemporary gas, electric and wood fires
DRU is Europe’s leading manufacturer of contemporary gas fires which, as well as looking great in the home, can add warmth, comfort and style to hotels, pubs, restaurants and even office receptions! To see the full range of DRU gas electric and wood burning fires, visit: http://www.fireplacemegastore.co.uk
Heating Services
DRU provides a wide range of services for office and industrial heating throughout the UK. Operating through a national network of DRU approved GAS SAFE registered heating installers, we provide free surveys, consultations, installations, warranty work and servicing. You can contact us about servicing your existing DRU heaters. We also stock spare parts for many older and obsolete models.

Will A Wood Burner Save You Money?

It's becoming increasingly popular for people to buy a woodburner to supplement or replace a gas or electric heating system because they simply can’t afford to pay their spiralling fuel bills. Changing to wood-fired heating saves many people a lot of money, but it takes time to recoup your initial investment in savings on fuel bills. The savings available vary, but these are the main points to consider when working out how much money you can save.

Purchase Costs
The most obvious cost is buying the woodburner. Wood burning stoves are available to suit all budgets, but the cheapest woodburners are not the most efficient. Spending a little extra to buy a more efficient stove can be worthwhile to gain savings in fuel costs over time. Bargain hunters tend to buy woodburners on the internet in order to get the cheapest prices. It can take a little work to compare deals properly – make sure the price advertised includes VAT and delivery, and see if there are any special deals on chimney liner or free fitting accessories with the stove. To ensure you have full manufacturers warranty cover on the woodburner, check that you are buying from an authorised retailer. You may also need to buy a chimney liner or flue system and accessories such as a stove pipe or register plate. If you are not sure what you need, get expert advice before you buy.

Installation Costs
Installation costs vary enormously depending what work needs to be done. If you need a flue liner for your chimney or to fit a twinwall flue system because you don’t have a conventional chimney, this will increase your installation costs. Sometimes fireplaces need to be altered for a woodburner to be installed, at an extra and sometimes unexpected cost. It is a good idea to have a stove installation survey from a  before you buy a woodburner – this will give you a clear idea of what work is necessary and the associated costs, as well as giving you an opportunity to get expert advice about what woodburner is most suitable for your requirements.
Running Costs
Research prices for firewood or coal both from local and nationwide suppliers, unless you are lucky enough to have a free source of firewood such as a friendly tree surgeon! To get the best prices on firewood or coal you need to buy in quantity – if you don’t already have a suitable storage area factor this into your budget as well. Demand for woodburners is increasing in the UK, but the Forestry Commission is implementing a program to develop the UK wood fuel industry over the coming years to ensure plenty of quality firewood will be available at reasonable prices. Recommended woodburner maintenance includes having your chimney swept at least once a year and an annual service of the stove by a HETAS qualified engineer – it’s a good idea to allocate some of your budget to cover these expenses.

The People Behind The Magic at Drugasar

Today Fires|Fireplace|Stoves is going dutch, no we're not splitting the lunch bill, we're going behind the scenes at Drugasar to see just who is responsible for creating such unqiuely designed fires.

Martyn Graat

“We develop products that continuously meet the highest stipulations and as such retain the level of quality we are used to. Where homes are becoming increasingly better insulated, we offer products for example that still delievr a lovely fire but with less capacity," says Graat.

“Through constant research and development we offer new possibilities year on year which the customer of tomorrow can identify with. 2011 will be a year in which wellbeing and personality are central. A stove can contribute to the home's ambience. The premise: being and living together in a dynamic environment."

Martyn Graat works as a designer at DRU. Aside from designing new products the translation of appealing ambient photography, showroom set-up and designing stands for trade fairs all fall under Graat's remit.

Jeroen van Dijk

Jeroen van Dijk is just one of the architects who serves as a product development sparring partner in the DRU focus group project. With his experience in design and consultation in the field of interiors and smallscale new builds, he comes into daily contact with consumers and their specific interior needs and wishes. Jeroen has regularly placed DRU stoves in his line of work.

‘We consciously work with DRU stoves as the possibilities in model, design, capacity and technique are highly diverse and revolutionary," says Van Dijk.

Roy Bertholet

2architecten came about towards the end of 2008 after a collaboration between Roy Bertholet and Björn Schoeberichts. Based in their office in Eindhoven they worked on a plethora of nationwide projects, ranging from renovations to a private clinic. Roy Berholet is also a sparring partner in the DRU focus groups project.

‘A stove takes its rightful place in your home. It invites you to come and sit by it. A practical advantage is also that you can quickly make the space cosy; which takes longer with underfloor heating or central heating", says Bertholet.

New Suites From Drugasar

Freshly imported from Holland, Drugasar, famous for its stunningly contemporary hole in the wall gas fires have recently released the Cara and the Grace suites based around the incredible popular Global 70XT.

They have now launched a new model, the Global 40, this new member of the Global range is smallest of the range, it would now fit into a standard 18inch opening!
To completement this new fire and its size, Drugasar have also launched a range of surrounds to fit the Global 40, these surrounds are designed for homeowners wanting a luxury fireplace solution without paying the kind of prices one would pay for the likes of Montpellier or even perhaps other Drugasar Fires.

The Global 40 is the first inset fire with the optional Ceraglass interior. This highly polished, heat resistant glass reflects the flame and adds that extra feel of depth to the fire.
There is also the option for a natural stone interior for those looking for a more rustic look, designed for a conventional flue the Global 40 (subject to the condition of your chimney) can be installed without a costly flue liner.

Operated by remote control and available in either natural gas or LPG, the Global 40 is a stunning inset fire with a maximum heat output of 3.3kW

The surrounds available with the Global 40 include the Aura and the Eclipse. Both of these British made solid stone surrounds feature downlights for that added feel of quality, while the Aura Surround is more of a traditional feel with natural cream stome surround and hearth with a contrasting black back panel drawing attention to the fire in the centre. Even when the fire is off this surround looks stunning, the downlights illuminate the fire itself and help the fireplace surround return to its prime as the focal point of the room.

The Eclipse surround is a slightly more modern surround with a striking black granite surround and hearth and cream stone back panel, again complemented with the downlights drawing attention to the fire in the centre, with both of these surrounds coming in at just a touch under 48inch shelf width they are small enough to fit in some of the smaller living spaces without dominating.

These fires are set to appear on most retailers websites in the coming days and are sure to be "hot property" when the heating season arrives

New Drugasar Gas Suites

Drugasar have launched a new range of suites based around the ever popular Global 70XT, available in both balanced flue and conventional flue versions.

The Cara and Grace suites combine a quality and uniquely-european styled gas fire in the Global 70XT, offering the smooth black or traditional brick interior with the ever-realistic log fuel effect that when warmed up really starts to glow and offer that lovely warm glow.

The Cara suite displayed left features contemporary micro-marble fireplace surround, ideal for a more contemporary living space with the optional black interior contrasting the pure colour of the surround, while the Grace suite shown right is solid natural limestone and features a more classical style with crisp clean lines.

With the previous way of putting a quality piece of design such as the Drugasar range was to purchase one of the separate Drugasar surrounds or take a punt on buying a standard surround and adapting it to fit. The first option always used to a very expensive option, whereas buying a stock surround may not work at all.

Now with these pre-packaged suites all the joy of having a Drugasar fire in your living room can be yours for quite a reasonable price with the RRP on the Cara coming in at £2495 and the Grace slightly more expensive at £2795, compared to other fires that may seem expensive, but when the heritage and experience of Drugasar, combined with the quality and overall finish of these fires means that these fires are a bargin!

DRU Art Heaters For Studios And Workshops

Workspace group owns and manages over 100 business centres, situated in prime locations throughout the capital. It's portfolio includes offices, warehouses, workshops as well as industrial units and studio space, catering for the small to medium sized companies in a wide range of industries.

A typical Workspace development is the Riverside Business Park in Wandsworth. Originally an old AirFix building, Riverside offers a range of uses from light industrial to office and studio space bringing together both creative and manufacturing industries. Workspace has specified the DRU Art series balances flue gas wall heaters for many of the workspaces at Riverside. The heaters offer an efficient and flexible heating solution that are robust, practical and economical, ideal for both studio and industrial spaces. Featuring the classic Drugasar Balanced Flue System drawing air from outside the building for combustion. This makes them quick and easy to fit, and comfortable and economical to operate They are available in a number of sizes ranging from just 2kW for a smaller studio or office up to 10kW for some of the larger industrial units.

DRU 64 Clean Burn Stove

We've just had this review in from one of our readers, a great review of the DRU64CB wood burning stove:

I spent ages looking at different stoves. Really ages.

I wanted a stove that was capable of heating my 30x16' living room and 15x9' kitchen adjacent, that was really well made, would last for years, had clean contemporary lines yet not be boxy or like a tv set.

I'm really delighted with it, having had it now for 5 weeks, using it every single day.

It is fantastically easy to light. I scrumple up 3 sheets of newspaper, some kindling, a couple of large lumps of wood, and a big old log, light the paper, and shut the door. The whole lot is blazing within a minute or two.

I have found that a mixture of wood and homefire ovals makes for a really good combination. The ovals burn for a long time, and the wood produces the flames. Together they can make a spectacular blaze, really hot, and heat the place very quickly.

The controls really work well. You can damp it right down, for overnight burning. In the morning, the ash contains glowing coals and wood ash. A few sheets of newspaper, or even some kindling and a new log on top, shut the door and again its burning again.

The ovals produce more ash so the pan needs to be emptied daily. When just wood, only once a week or so as combustion is near complete.

If you want to get the fire roaring really quickly and hot, leave the lower ash pan door open for a while.

This stove has a side-opening door too, which is perfect for long logs when the fire is roaring. The brushed stainless steel door handle is removable and it works well, as it is always cool and you don't have to mess around with gloves or warn friends that the handle is hot, but you do sort of have to get used to the best way to orientate it - if I was designing the stove, I would make the handle easier to fit into the hole.

The finish is very nice as standard. The viewing window is really lovely, it's huge, with nicely rounded bow at the top which isn't twee or traditional but simple and perfect to look at. The firebox takes really big logs up to 18" long.

The instructions say that the fire does best to blaze to heat the room up, and then leave it for a while, and then blaze it again, if it isn't too cold outside. I think this is probably correct, rather than leaving it on a slow burn all day long. If you have quite a large firebox, as this is, then having it full and blazing really heats up the sides, whereas a smaller fire in the middle of the firebox doesn't get the cast iron hot enough and I wonder if much of the heat produced in a very small fire in a small firebox may go just up the chimney. It's a joy to see the stove really blaze anyway.

The control for the air flow entering at the base of the fire is very effective, but I have a one criticism, which is that at some low settings, it creates a situation where the dampening of the baffle plate begins to oscillate as just enough air is drawn in, and this can make a funny sound. It's easy enough to tweak it however to lose this.

Would I buy this stove again? Absolutely. I considered the Clearview Vision 500, for almost the same money, but it is a smaller stove (8kW instead of 9-11kW as this is), of steel rather than fully solid cast iron, and I prefer the DRU's design. Visually it is larger too, better suited to a big room.

The airwash really works very well. If it does go black, eg when burning very very slowly, or wood falls against the glass, then I have only ever needed to wipe it with a damp cloth to get it completely clear again.

So I'm very happy and would recommend to anyone else.

Homes Development Selects Energy-Efficient DRU Fires

Kendrick Homes is a builder of Luxury Houses based in Walsall, West Midlands. The company prides itself on its craftmanship and skill in creating both individual and desirable properties throughout the UK. DRU Fires is a leading European manufactuer of contemporary and traditional gas, electric and wood burning fires. Established in 1754, it is a pioneer of fireplace technology, having invented the balanced flue system in the 1930's. Kendrick Homes have selected DRU gas fires for "The Ridings", its latest development of nine individually deesigned executive properties in the much sought-after commuter village of Balsall Common, close to Birmingham and Coventry.
DRU Metro 100XT frameless gas fires are situtated in six of the properties with the other three having DRU Global 70XT models.

Manufacturer Focus: Drugasar

In May 1754, a sales contract was signed for the building of a new blast furnace between Johan Baptist van den Dergh and a few local entrepreneurs in Ulft, the Netherlands. The project was the beginning of the company that is the modern day Drugasar, some 250 years later!
The company is called De Koninklijke Diepenbrock en Reugers if Ulft, or in short Drugasar or DRU.
Drugasar started out as a blast furnace, producing a large range of products from cast iron, DRU pots and pans are still particularly well known. At the beginning of the 1960's when natural gas was discovered in the Netherlands DRU switched to producing gas fireplaces. DRU is now one of the oldest industrial companies in the Netherlands.

Now, Drugasar is a modern company that continues to specialise in producing high-quality and unique fireplaces. It is the largest producer of closed combustion fireplaces in Europe, and has operations in three countries and a dealership that spans most of Europe. This independent company with a well-established foundation is proud of its industrial heritage and has even been awarded the prestigious designation of Supplier to the Royal Dutch Court.


Drugasar Gas and Electric Fires have been designed to bring out the best in your living room – contemporary or traditional.
You will have no shortage of choice, with a large variety of gas and electric fires available, each with its own selection of trim, colour and fuel effect. So you are sure to find a combination that will harmonise with your lifestyle.


"DRU gas fires are not simply pleasing to the eye, they are among the most advanced heating appliances on the planet."

Combining contemporary styling with modern gas technology, DRU gas fires provide all-round warmth and comfort as well as aesthetic appeal.

From simple but stunning frameless fires such as the Metro range, to more traditional designs such as the Passeo (shown right), DRU gas fires provide a wealth of choice.

And with the incredible efficiency of gas fires, especially using the DRU balanced flue system, with up to 85% efficiency, heating your home need not cost a fortune.

Unfortunately even the most beautiful Drugasar gas fire would be worthless if the house did not have a gas connection, or if your preference is for an electric fire, DRU do also do a stunning range of electric fires.

DRU electric fires combine the beauty of contemporary fireplace design with a unique operating system that creates the best realistic fire available anywhere.

The flame pattern is the closest to a gas fire you will ever see. And yet, because of its unique LED technology, it combines a generous 2 kw heat output with remarkably low energy consumption.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from all of us at Fires | Fireplaces | Stoves, hope the festive period was warm and full of joy.
We thought we'd start off the new year by giving a brief summary of a number of products that have caught our eye recently and are looking like must-haves for 2011.

The first fire our this list comes courtesy of The Fireplace Megastore, The Verine Carmelo HE balanced flue gas fire takes the already very popular Verine Carmelo and makes it available to households and properties that do not have a chimney. The balanced flue vastly increases the efficiency of the Carmelo HE over the normal Carmelo, taking the efficiency up from around 40-50% up to 75%, this also means the heat output has upped from minimal heat output decorative fire to one that has a high output of 6.5kW.
The contemporary frameless finish and plain black lining create a very simple yet effective finish, this can be combined either white stones for a very minimalist finish or with the realistic log fuel effect for a slightly more traditional feel, both of these fuel effects are supplied with the fire for extra flexibility. The stunning finish and quality feel of this fire coupled with the success of the open-fronted Carmelo mean this fire is likely to become hot property when it is released in February-March.

Our next product that has just been released is the Ceraglass back panel for the Drugasar Metro range of balanced flue gas fires. This reflexive black glass back panel adds a more contemporary finish to the fire, with the warm glow of the flames reflected back into the room for even more ambience. Drugasar haven't even released a photo of this new back panel yet but we're sure that it is going to make these high-quality and supremely luxurious fires even more desirable.




Another range to look out for this year is the Celsi range of inset electric fires, with people looking for a more realistic flame effect to the traditional ribbon flame effect and some alternate flame effects either lacking in realism or requiring a large amount of maintenance the Celsi range of inset electric fires with their unique 3D flame effect offering the choice of Smouldering or blazing logs or glowing coal as well as real sounds to further add to the illusion that this fire is real. Other features include adjustable flame speed and brightness for ambience as well as a sleep timer and adjustable temperature controls, all possible via a handheld remote control. Available in a range of styles both contemporary and traditional this ultra-realistic range of electric fires is sure to be very popular in 2011.

BREAKING NEWS! New Interior for Drugasar Metro Range

Drugasar have just launched a brand new interior finish to thier Metro range of balanced flue gas fires. Breaking away from the black metal or natural interiors that have previously been available with the Metro range.
They are now available with the Ceraglass interior finish, this new reflective black glass interior lining adds a deeper and more contemporary finish to these already stunning fires, with the flames reflecting back off the glass back panel, projecting more of that wonderful warm glow back into the room.

This innovative new Ceraglass interior finish is so new we don't even have a picture of it yet!

This finish is available now from The Fireplace Megastore.

Top 5 Gas Stoves

This is a list of the top 5 gas stoves currently available from www.fireplacesupermarket.com, this list has been determined by 4 main factors: efficiency, cost, heat output, styling. From the wide variety of stoves on offer it is almost impossible to decide between the vast range of quality options available. I hope this litte article makes thing easier for you.

At number 5 it is the Tiger Classic Gas Stove, this solid cast iron gas stove is great value for money at just under £500 and with a 5kW heat output and 73% efficiency means it is great value for money, the one downside with this fire which places it at number 5 on this list is the relatively plain styling to the stove, but even this plain and simple styling features a large viewing window that offers an impressive view of the coal fuel effect inside. A worthy inclusion into this top 5.

Coming in at number 4 is the Firebelly FB1G, this ultra
contemporary stove is well worth a look, at 6kW of heat output the stove packs a hot punch and with 78% efficiency is cost effective heating. Available in 18 different colours and with optional stainless steel legs, the FB1G will fit in with almost any style of decor. And with a price of just under £900 is slightly more expensive than the Tiger but comes with a remote control as standard and offers a more contemporary finish that could fit in with most styles of decor.

Half way through now and coming in at number 3 is the Gallery Firefox 5 gas stove. This is one of the most affordable gas stoves on the market today with a price just over £450. This relatively small sized stove does give out a fair amount of heat, and is no slouch at 73% efficiency. It also is unique as the whole main body of the stove is made in a single piece and incorporates a 'clear view' window that keeps the window clean to allow that gorgeous orange glow to escape. The only drawback is to this fire is the smaller size of it, perfect for a smaller living space, but doesnt quite offer the same visual impact of the larger stoves.

Coming in as the runner-up on this list is the Broseley Canterbury, this stove is available in a gas, electric and multi-fuel option with the gas version our focus in this article. Developing a maximum heat output of 4.6kW and running at 80% efficient so does not require any additional ventilation into the room. The Canterbury is an effective, efficient and affordable gas stove that has a traditional styling and with a variety of door trim to add that individual element to the stove. This stove, along with the others in the Broseley range are definately the first place to look for a traditional looking stove so deservedly come high up the list, All are available with an exclusive cashback offer when purchased from FireplaceSupermarket.

And Coming in a Number 1 is the Drugasar Solo Balanced Flue Gas Fire, this stunningly contemporary gas stove from Drugasar is amoung the best on the market at the moment, developing 4kW of heat with an 82% efficiency rating. The Solo features a large viewing window that offers the best view possible of the flames inside, finished in high-quality anthracite and also coming as standard with a remote control this fire is certainly one of the first places to look for a contemporary gas stove and... for that reason it is top of this list.

Drugasar Cosmo

The Ultimate balanced flue and design statement is the Drugasar Cosmo Balanced Flue Gas Fire. The Cosmo features a huge and realistic log fuel effect and looks stunning with the natural profile interior to really give the feel of a real log fire.

The Cosmo is available in either a tunnel or single sided versions and features the Drugasar balanced flue system that allows the fire to be situated almost anywhere in the property, rather than just on an external wall, as is the case with most other balanced flue fires, Available as standard as a frameless fire with no exterior trim the Cosmo gives the ultimate hole in the wall, minimalist look and feel or when used in conjunction with the Murano surround creates an ultra-contemporary focal point for any space.

Featuring the renowned DRU Vario-Burner System that creates a stunning glow around the hearth that adds to the illusion of realism with this beautiful gas fire. The Cosmo comes as standard with remote control to allow easy control from almost anywhere in the room! The remote also features a thermostat function that allows the fire to automatically adjust to keep the room at the desired temperature, this is perfect for keeping the fire on to generate that ambience and atmosphere that is so highly desired.

Both the tunnel and single sided versions of this fire put out a whopping 14kW of heat, this is more than enough to heat even some of the larger living spaces and making the tunnel version the perfect way to break up a large open-plan living space and creating an amazing focal point, while providing enough heat energy to heat both sides.

The single sided fire lookg perfect in combination with the Murano surround and natural stone hearth that takes the modern fireplace into a whole new and contemporary level and is a must for any larger contemporary living space!

Drugasar Global 100 Balanced Flue Gas Fire

The Drugasar Global 100BF is another stylish addition to the Drugasar range of balanced flue gas fires, designed primarily for homes without the luxury of a chimney, The Global 100 boasts a viewing window 950mm across and 350mm high to create that ultra-fashionable letterbox look.

The Global 100 is available on both natural gas and LPG with a high efficiency rating of 73%, developing a massive output of 6.5kW, more than enough to heat even the more spacious of living spaces.

The rustic and realistic log fuel effect of the Global 100 really recreates the feeling of sitting in front of a traditional wood fire, especially when the log fuel effect starts to glow in the flames, this can be highlighted when combined with the black interior or for a more traditional and slightly more cosy feel then go for the natural profile interior.

If you're looking for the fire to provide that quick burst of heat then the Dru MaxVent system can be purchased with the fire to provide that extra burst of heat. As soon as the fire has reached the desired temperature, the fan switches on automatically, basically accellerating the natural heat convection around the fire. The MaxVent system draws cold air in around the base of the fire and blows it around the outside of the firebox, warming it in the process, this warm air is then blown out of the top of the fire, providing up to 25% extra heated air that helps quickly take that cold edge off a room.

The Drugasar Global 100 is available in very contemporary and minimalist frameless version that provides a seamless finish between the wall and the fire, or can be purchased with the Alpha, a classic narrow frame that defines the edges of fire while not detracting from the appearance of the fire in the centre. Or for a more bold a statement then the Beta trim would be the way to go, this trim really gives the fire definition and grabs the attention of anyone in the room, while contrasting the glow of the flames inside.

The minimalist or classic black frames work well with almost any style of interior decor, complimenting and harmonising with more contemporary interiors or contrasting and creating a focal point when used in a slightly more traditionally furnished household.

What Is A Balanced Flue Fire?

Before you buy a fireplace you need to make sure that the fire is suitable for your property.
If you do not have a chimney at the property, but do have an exterior wall where the fire is to be situated then a balanced flue would more than likely be ideal for your needs.

The balanced flue gas fire system was invented in Holland during the 1930's by Drugasar engineers, and this system has since been adopted by numerous companies as it results in an energy efficient fireplace that is safer to and more reliable than traditionally flued fireplaces.

The balanced flue system is based around a fire that is sealed from the room itself, this means that unlike traditionally flued fires that use quite a large 'draw' of air from the room to fuel the fire, this hot air then rises up out of the chimney, reducing the amount of heat that enters the room and reducing the efficiency of the fire. Traditionally flued fires are typically around 40% efficient, which means a over half the heat generated from the fire and over half the gas burned is wasted up the chimney or flue.

Balanced flues operate by using two concentric flue pipes, the inner pipe is used to transport the exhaust gases out of the property while the outer pipe is used to draw in the fresh air, warming the fresh air as it travels through the pipe, allowing for much greater efficiency as the air is preheated and ready to burn. This flue system utilises natural air convection to draw the fresh air in , this typically gives an efficiency of at least 70%, meaning that at least 30% more gas is being converted into heat for the living room rather than being wasted up a chimney. This not only means that less heat is wasted but it also means that less money is wasted on gas that could merely be contributing to global warming.

These twin walled, concentric pipe system can allow a lot of flexibility regarding the location of the fire as bends and extentions can be added to the flue system, subject to requirements. This allows fires to be designed with large viewing windows as well as two or three sided fires such as the Drugasar Metro XTL Balanced Flue Gas Fire which allows the fire to be viewed from 3 sides and could serve as a dramatic room divider.

Balanced flue fires are available in a wide range of fires, they can be traditional inset fires such as the Flavel Raglan, this fire is designed to fit a standard opening in a fire surround, the traditional fret detailing at the front of the fire in either brass or silver would compliment a traditional wood surround and granite or marble hearth.

The Flavel Raglan develops 80% net efficiency, double that of a traditional open fire, this equates to a maximum heat output of 2.8kW, enough to nicely warm a standard sized living room. The fire also comes with a realistic coal fuel effect and a remote control as standard, this means that not only will this fire help warm the room during the cold winter months but will also harmonise with a more traditionally furnished house.

The Drugasar Metro 100 Slimline Balanced Flue Gas Fire is a very contemporary "Hole-In-The-Wall" style gas fire. As Drugasar engineers invented the balanced flue system in 1930's their balanced flue systems and fires are second-to-none with high-quality that is the signature of DRU fires, Only the best balanced flue gas fires are produced by Drugasar.

The Metro 100 is a masterpiece of simplistic design, the frameless design allows the fire itself to become the centre of attention in any room without overpowering surrounding decor, The popular letterbox format is designed to create the ultimate showcase for the flames within while The unique Vario Burner System produces tall, realistic flames for a stunning three-dimensional effect around the white pebble or twix fuel effect.

The stunning design of this fire doesnt detract from the basic use of a fire, to produce heat, this fire is 70% efficient and develops an impressive 6.5kW of heat, more than enough for most living spaces. The Metro 100 is also easy to operate and use thanks to the thermostatic remote control that allows you to adjust the flames and temperature of the room from the comfort of an armchair or sofa, this fire would look magnificent in a modern and contemporarily furnished living room.