Having a fire, Question

[patti3birds]

So in the Not Martha's Stewart Living room Thread some of you saw just how small my Living room is and the approximity it is to Charlie's cage.

Will I be able to have a fire in that fireplace any more?

I never worried the years before with I had Axel and Rose and Charlie's corner is where Axel used to be, but he is so much Larger- Im panicked about soot for him. ( shhh...The Husband ask me to ask y'all- He Love's em, He Love's em)

Technically it's in another room and we know how to work the damper (DUH).

So should I worry?.. or just be watchful?

even though I heard we were in an Elneio Year- It may not get cold enough for a fire.....
We really wanted y'all Opinions.

[Debz]

yeash...gee.. dunno I too have a fireplace that I would love to light, but know that it needs major cleaning. And the process would be too hazardous for the fids, so I've resigned from the thought of ever being able to light it. But you...dunno because it sounds like you've maintained your fireplace so it wouldnt need that much work. But I know that sometimes it can get fumy ...I dunno. 

[Sondra]

Sure you can use your fireplace as long youas it's in good working order.
Debz, get yours cleaned! Most people use no chemicals to clean chimneys.

[Debz]

Ya sure? burning wood fumes and all the sooty smell?? ..*cough cough* I would love to use the fireplace!

[BuffaloParrot]

I agree.  If it is in good working order, vented well and clean it is good to go..

[Sondra]

I have many friends who have birds and use their fireplace. Just don't burn wood that's treated with anything, like those bags of wood you buy in stores because they are treated with stuff to add colours to your flames. As long as your fireplace is in good working order, & cleaned on a regular basis it's OK to use. Now should you have a smokey smell in your house your fireplace isn't in good working order, the same goes with wood burning stoves and pellet stoves. We have a pellet stove and have had one for years and there is no problem as long asthe seal is air tight.

The way to tell if your fireplace is in good working order is to light your fireplace and let it run for half an hour, then hang some clothing near it, run the fireplace for a few hours, then take the clothing and put it in a plastic bag, close the bag tightly, wait a couple of hours and go outside, open the bag and smell the clothing. If you smell wood smoke do not use your fire place as it isn't well vented.

[steptoe91(tozie)]

i'm guessing mine is not? its old. old. oooooollllddddd. i can look up and see daylight. (during the day, of course.) in the spring we have birds nest on the ledge at the very back about 2 feet up. i used it before i got the birds... come to think of it, i used it after i got steve and he was fine... but i digress... i used it before and there was never a strong wood smell in the house... it didnt provide much warmth either, it was strictly for looks. cause if you were more than 3 feet from it, you freeze your toushie off!

sooooo, i'm guessing: dont light it or i'll poison us all?

[Sondra]

I'd have a chimney sweep come look at it. At least for peace of mind, then if he says it's OK to use, then use it.

[wishforabird]

Elneio? is that El Nino?

I agree about having it inspected first, and to using untreated wood. I would be a worry-wart about it. 

(now I have the chim-chimeney chim chimemey chim chim chereee song in my head!  LOL! )

[patti3birds]

Elneio? is that El Nino?

I agree about having it inspected first, and to using untreated wood. I would be a worry-wart about it. 

(now I have the chim-chimeney chim chimemey chim chim chereee song in my head!  LOL! )

LOL, Thanks for the spell check...

[patti3birds]

Thanks Everybody

[patti3birds]

Ok, So. Last night was our first fire...Yay

But then the Men around me started asking me questions- After the firs was going, made me all nervous....I was pissed. Couldnt enjoy the fire for worrying about the Damn thing. I need your advise.....

#1. My fireplace is in good working order and clean.

ok here it goes, While its pretty and burning, Preston goes..So if Oak is on the bad list for not making perches with?..How is it that we can burn it and not hurt them?
Then My boy looks and say's I know its not smokey in here and its nice N All, but can the smells of the oak hurt them?

This is when I start pacing- ggrrrrr :pipen: and Go...NOW you ask!!... I come to the BP, and re-read this thread to them, they were like...OKAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY


Good question, huh?

Help....

[Sondra]

It's the sap in the oak that is bad for birds, you aren't burning the sap because the wood has aged, dried out, therefore no sap. Even if there is some sap left they aren't ingesting it & there isn't enough left in the wood to cause them any harm. Pine sap is another thing harmful to birds yet people burn pine too, plus many toys are made with pine. I think it's great that your family is so concerned about the health and safety of your birds! Give them a huge HUG from me for that!
Smoke would be a major concern, the same as it would be for any animal or pet, and since the fire place is in good working condition stop worrying.

ENJOY THAT FIRE PLACE!!

[patti3birds]

Yay!!!!


You've been a Blessing, calming my soul......

Yay, they are sweet, My Son and My Husband.....

had to share.....

[Sondra]

Glad you're mind is at rest, and your soul is calm.