stove, gas-fire, connecting a flue into a chimney

[mrmisior]

Need to plan best route for the flue of a multi-fuel burning stove.
This is for emergency use. In case we have electricity cut. Gas boiler will not work without electricity.
This house used to have 3 fireplaces and there is a substantial chimney with 3 ends at top (not sure how you call them!).
Downstairs fireplace had gas-fire inserted and a gas pipe goes trough it to other appliances.
Engineer stated that he can easily disconnect the gas-fire and blank the gas pipe.
He advised not to put a stove in there because the heat could cause the gas pipe to fail.
Questions:
1. How is a wood stove any different to a gas-fire? Is the engineer right? He suggested that he can reroute the gas pipe at a cost of £££.
2. What if I shut off the gas valve and burn off any remaining gas vie cooker? (Done that accidentally many times in the past, as we have a prepaid meter which shuts off automatically if I don't pay up.) Could I then safely use a stove in a vicinity of the gas pipe?
3. Alternatively, is it right to bore a hole for a flue into the side of the chimney - well above the gas-fire and gas pipes?

 

[mrmisior]

In case you wonder, yes, this is related to covid panic.
Many people were left cold for weeks at the beginning of the lockdown.
Prepaid meters you see.
I observed a massive panic buying of multi-fuel burning stoves on online sites.
Prices rocketed from ~£160 to now ~£250. Many sold out. I guess, I am not the only one planning for longer lockdown over winter!

 

[muggles]

1) Woodburning stoves can run considerably hotter than gas fires - hot enough to melt solder in gas pipe joints if they're burning hard. Gas fires are designed so that they won't affect the pipe joints.

2) No

3) You still need to consider the proximity of the stove body to the gas pipe. Also, horizontal runs are not permitted on stove flues, you'd need to go through at 45°

Be very wary of cheap stoves, they tend to be made from very poor quality cast iron which will crack easily, rendering the fire useless. Yes, they have a warranty, but it's often "parts only" so you have to pay someone to replace the broken bit.

There are ways around your issue but they require specialist knowledge from trained professionals, it's not a DIY job. A badly installed woodburning stove is very capable of killing you.

 

[OwainDIYer]

In case you wonder, yes, this is related to covid panic.
Many people were left cold for weeks at the beginning of the lockdown.
Prepaid meters you see.

1. Don't have a prepaid electricity or gas meter.
2. If you have to have a prepaid meter, get a smart one that you can top up online or by phone.
3. A car battery and an inverter, with an appropriate change-over switch and earthing, will run a gas boiler.
4. Most gas fires don't need electricity.

 

[StephenStephen]

If you do decide to go ahead with a stove, I'd suggest you research some good quality stoves (woodwarm or clearview for example) buy one second hand, and get a professional to check it, service it and fit it.