Ten Ways Fireplaces put the Magic into Christmas

Ever since the introduction of Christmas cards in the Victorian era, the festive season is synonymous with excited children waiting by the hearth to open their presents, and families warming themselves around an open fire. The fireplace is central to the festive season – and even Santa is supposed to arrive down the chimney to hand out carefully wrapped gifts! There’s something magical about a roaring fire, and piling hardwood logs by the hearth in preparation for a frosty morning. Read on to discover ten ways fireplaces put the magic into Christmas.

Big K offer winter fuel home delivery in the UK to make life easier during the coldest months of the year. Our high quality winter fuel products include seasoned hardwood logs, smokeless fuel, house coal, anthracite, kiln dry hardwood logs, Big Flame heat logs, as well as a range of other essentials such as firelighters – just click on the link below to view our full range.

Big K Winter Fuel Home Delivery – Follow the link to buy your winter fuel today.

Fireplaces Create a Social Atmosphere – Fireplaces provide warmth, and a lit fire is an essential part of the festive season; it is where you, your friends and family gather to play board games, open presents and enjoy a glass of your favourite tipple before Christmas dinner.

It’s Where the Presents are Found – It’s long been a tradition to hang stockings by the fireplace on Christmas Eve (although not when the fire is on) ready to be filled with presents for children – and adults – to open in the morning. Stocking fillers are still popular, in conjunction with gifts under the tree.

A Place to Display Christmas Cards – The mantelpiece is the most obvious place to display your Christmas cards, although a safer option is to hang cards on string around the room, place them on window sills, or fix them to specially designed card holders that can show five or more cards at a time.

Where Santa Finds His Mince Pies – Lots of families leave mince pies and a small glass whisky by the fire for Santa on Christmas Eve. Of course, it makes a refreshing treat for Santa after his journey down the chimney – and you might want to leave a carrot or two out for the reindeer!

It Creates Warmth on Cold Nights – There’s something enchanting about lighting the fire during the festive season. It warms up a room and helps cut down on heating bills too. Just make sure you organise your winter fuel home delivery well in advance through Big K so you have enough for the holiday period.

Extra Lighting at Christmas – Lights and colour from a flickering fire is captivating, especially against a backdrop of a room filled with candlelight, warm lamps and Christmas tree fairy lights.

It Adds Atmosphere – A crackling log fire adds an instant wintery feel and makes Christmas Day special; even more so when there is snow on the ground outside. Home fires also create a relaxing focal point when you want to wind down after all that delicious food!

Provides a Christmas Photo Opportunity – A lit fire creates a number of idyllic photo opportunities, and you might want to use one of these family photos to go on your Christmas cards, this year or next.

Is Reminiscent of Yesteryear – A fireplace conjures up all the charm of bygone years, when the fire was central to the home. It was once a place where food was cooked, kettles were boiled, and children bathed in a tin bath in front of it to keep warm.

Roast Chestnuts and Marshmallows – This is a fun activity for the whole family – although it’s vital to follow the fire safety rules and, of course, never to leave young children or pets unaccompanied by the fire.

Big K – Follow the link to find out more about winter fuel home delivery.

Ten Ways to Make Your Living Room Snug this Winter

With the drop in temperature outside, now is the time to turn your attention to your interior and think about ways to make your home cosy this winter. Here, Big K Products – who sell winter fuel and logs for home delivery – looks at ten simple, low cost ways to revamp your living room with stunning results. You don’t have to spend too much as even the smallest of additions will ensure your home looks warm and inviting from autumn until spring. Read on to discover our top tips on how to stay snug indoors whatever the weather.

Big K Products is your one-stop-shop for winter fuel including logs for home delivery. Click here to view our full range of products

Light the Fire – If you have a fireplace, nothing beats the warmth and crackle of a real log fire. Lighting the fire is the easiest way to turn your home into a haven this winter, so now is the time to get your chimney swept and to stock up on winter fuel so you are prepared well in advance of any cold snaps.

Fireplaces and wood burning stoves can cut down on heating bills and, according to financial website This is Money, installing a working fire in your home can add as much as 5 per cent to the value of your property. The appeal of a fireplace or wood burning stove will transform any living room and the good news is that you don’t have to spend time chopping logs for your fire. This is because Big K Products make it as easy as possible for you to order all your winter fuel products online, as we sell a variety of products including seasoned hardwood, anthracite coal, house coal, smokeless fuel, kindling, and logs for home delivery. Just click on the link above to find out more and enter your postcode to discover if we deliver to your area.

Invest in a Cosy Throw – Another way to keep warm this winter is to invest in a cosy throw to drape over a sofa or arm chair. From warm woollen throws, to cotton or textured throws there are hundreds of different makes and designs to choose from, so you will always find one that blends well with the colours of your living room.

With prices to suit all budgets, it is a low cost way to revamp your living room in winter and nothing beats cosying up under a warm throw with a good book or a movie when there’s snow on the ground outside.

Inject Colour with Cushions – A few coordinating cushions in different textures is a simple way to alter the look of a living room with the change of seasons. Fluffy cushions, silks, floral patterns and prints are in fashion this year with reds, blues and greys among the top autumn and winter colours.

Add Warmth with a Rug – A warm, textured rug feels fantastic underfoot on cold evenings. Choose a rug that will work with your soft furnishings: from contemporary rugs in bold shapes, to more traditional Turkish style rugs, there is an unlimited range to suit old and new properties. Always be sure to place your rug at a safe distance from the fireplace, however, to avoid sparks.

Sink into an Occasional Chair – Armchairs, rocking chairs, or bold, bright contemporary chairs add atmosphere to your living room and can also serve as a focal point. Ordering your winter fuel products online and logs for home delivery via Big K is a great timesaver, so all you have to do is sit back, and relax in your favourite comfy chair and enjoy the warmth of your lit fire.

Create Atmosphere with Lighting – A lit fire will shed some light, but layering lighting with side lamps, floor standing lamps and picture lights, can work wonders to add a cosy feel to a living room. Lights come in all shapes, sizes and designs, including sculptural sidelights which act as a work of art in themselves.

De-clutter with Storage Chests – Storage chests that double up as coffee tables, side tables or seating is another way to prepare your home for winter – and can help accommodate extra guests. If you have limited space, you can use this furniture piece to store your cushions and throws in summer, or if you have a sturdy wooden chest, you can use it to store your winter fuel or logs from Big K’s home delivery service.

Light Some Candles – Candles create flattering light and add instant appeal to a living room. From large, floor standing candles that last for years, to tea lights or scented candles, they are always handy to stock up on all year round.

Open up a Space with Mirrors – You can use all sorts of tricks with mirrors to bring more light into a room and create the illusion of a larger space. Hang one above the fireplace or place one above a console table and put two matching lamps in front of it to cast a warm glow.

Set Coasters Out – Coasters are a cheap but effective home accessory and you can get a variety of natural designs which will coordinate with your fireplace. Place them on coffee and side tables for guests to put their drinks on, and enjoy a warming mug of hot chocolate, or glass of whisky by the fire.

About Big K

Big K offer a home delivery service for winter fuel products including solid fuel, logs, firewood and auxiliaries such as matches and firelighters. Click on the link above to view our range of products.

Ten Fireplace Safety Tips

An open fireplace is a wonderful asset - it looks great, creates warmth, reduces heating bills and, when the temperature plummets, it’s a feature that the whole family can gather round and enjoy. But no matter how inviting a crackling fire is, there are some home safety measures to adhere to so your fireplace doesn’t become a hazard.

A total of 15 per cent of all UK fires start in the home; and although most of these are caused by cigarette ignition, misuse of equipment and appliances, each year fire-fighters are called to tackle chimney fires. The good news is that according to government figures, the number of chimney fires has reduced dramatically (by a quarter) to 7,600 in 2011-12. This could be for a number of reasons, such as increased awareness and greater use of smoke alarms – but regardless of this drop in statistics, it is always vital to take extra care when using a home fire. Read on to find Big K’s ten fire safety tips to keep you safe during the winter period.

Big K sell a variety of solid winter fuel for home delivery including seasoned hardwood logs, smokeless fuel, anthracite coal, kindling, house coal and heat logs. Click on the above link to find out more about our products.

Safety Tips for Open Fires

1. Contact a Chimney Sweep – Before you start using your fire after the long summer, it is important to get your chimney cleaned to get rid of a potentially dangerous build up of soot and creosote. How often you need to do this depends on a number of factors including type of fuel used, the sort of chimney you have, and how often you use it. As a general guide though, smokeless fuel users should have their chimney swept once a year, rising to quarterly for wood or coal users. Another benefit of chimney sweeps is that they can also check chimneys for damage.
2. Don't Leave Children/Pets Unaccompanied – It goes without saying that very young children and pets should never be left unsupervised near an open fire as they won’t be fully aware of the risks. If you have to pop out of the room for a few minutes, take your little ones with you.
3. Use a Fire Guard – This is an essential as it creates a barrier between the fire and your home. Fires spit sparks and pieces of wood onto rugs and household furniture, causing an immediate risk.
4. Reduce Fireplace Clutter – The vicinity around your fire should be clutter free – again to prevent sparks setting light to your home. Regardless of whether or not you have a fire guard in place, move rugs and other furniture a safe distance from your open fire.
5. Use Cleaner Fuel - Smokeless fuel is cleaner than other forms of fuel because it leaves less of a build-up in the chimney. If you are using wood, kiln dried logs and seasoned hardwood logs, are cleaner than green or freshly cut wood, and are more efficient too as they generate a greater heat output for a longer period of time.
6. Keep Flammables Away from the Fire - It is stating the obvious but there are a number of flammable objects that can be found around the home. Keep flammables such as oil, lighter fuel, paint solvents, alcohol and even nail polish away from the fire - and never put them on a naked flame.
7. Don't Overload the Fire – Be careful about how much wood you are using on the fire. It is always best to burn a few logs at a time, rather than overload your fire with too much fuel. Also, don’t be tempted to burn household rubbish or newspapers on the fire as it can quickly escalate out of control.
8. Dispose of Ash and Embers Safely – To do this, allow ashes and firewood to cool first before transferring them into a metal bucket. Wet the contents of the bucket completely before disposing of the water outside, and then transfer the ashes and debris to an outdoor bin.
9. Install a Smoke Alarm – Government statistics reveal more than a third of the householders that reported house fires in the UK, from 2011-12, had no smoke alarms, yet these are a life saver. It is vital to think smart and install a smoke alarm; also keep a fire extinguisher to hand.
10. Keep Birds Out – This is important to prevent birds nesting on top of your chimney which can be extremely hazardous as it could block the chimney or set the nest on fire. Having a chimney cap installed is one way to keep nesting birds at bay.

Big K - Click here for information on our winter fuel product delivery times.

Fireplaces to Suit Every Home

A fireplace is on the wish list of many house hunters in the UK, and just as with any other feature, they come in all shapes and sizes. Most traditional fireplaces are against the wall with a fire surround, while some brick built fireplaces are centrally based and act as a room divider, separating a living room from a dining area.

Whether you are moving into a new property, renovating an old one, or building a brand new home, this article looks at some of the most popular types of fireplaces in the UK to give you an idea of what is available. We will also take a brief look at the types of winter fuel to stock up on - so you can enjoy the luxury of a roaring fire during the coldest months of the year.

Big K sell a wide range of winter fuel for home delivery , including seasoned hardwood logs, smokeless fuel, house coal, anthracite coal, firelighters, kindling, and instant lighting products. We also sell free standing and built in pizza ovens that are suitable for most homes. Just click on the above link to buy high quality winter fuel products to be delivered to your door (minimum order value £60).

Traditional Fireplaces - Traditional fireplaces are built into the wall of a sitting room, drawing room, dining room and/or bedroom and are connected to a chimney so the smoke is channelled out of the house.

From the mid-1500s, many homes and cottages had an Inglenook (literally 'chimney corner') which was used for heating, cooking, and warming water for washing and bathing. The fireplace got smaller over time, and most featured a fireplace mantle, often with very ornate and artistic designs. Nowadays, the principle use of the fireplace is to heat a room, and modern mantles are generally understated and are used to display ornaments.

While the fireplaces have changed over time, there is also a greater choice of fuel products. If you have a home fire but live in a designated smokeless fuel zone, Big K’s winter fuel product range includes Smokeless Coal Fire, Instant Lighting Coal Fire and Anthracite Coal, which is a natural smokeless fuel.

Wood Burners - Sleek and elegant, wood burning stoves are a classic living room focal point; they also offer excellent value for money. Many householders who have had a wood burning stove installed said it has drastically cut their gas consumption during winter, with some reporting annual savings of up to £250.

While most stoves installed in smoke controlled areas are prohibited from burning wood, some super efficient, clean burning, modern varieties are allowed. These wood burners are generally more expensive, and you can expect to pay around double the price of a cheaper standard model. As well as wood burners, you can also buy multi-fuel stoves, which enable you to burn either seasoned hardwood or solid fuel products.

Portable Fireplaces – These can be used outside or inside the home, but although these make a fantastic focal point, nothing beats cosying up in front of a real fire. Portable fireplaces come in stylish, modern designs and, as they are small, they are easy to move from one room to another. They usually run on gel and are mainly used for decorative purposes, rather than heat emission.

Fire Pits - On chilly summer nights, a fire pit in the garden can add a real sense of occasion to a social gathering, and many can be decorative features in themselves, usually made of brick or stone and typically circular in shape. The appeal goes back to ancient times, when fires were used for cooking, heating and to ward off dangerous predators. Nowadays, fire pits are used year round for warmth and ambience, particularly on barbecue evenings or when you are entertaining well into the evening. You can burn wood on these, even if you live in a smoke controlled area. Click here to see Big K's range of seasoned hardwood logs for home delivery

Winter Fuel Home Delivery – Five Top Trends in Fireplace Surrounds

With the evenings getting colder now is a good time to organise your winter fuel home delivery. Big K have a wide choice of winter fuel options including seasoned hard wood, anthracite coal, wood burning logs and kindling, which can be delivered to your door for your convenience.

An open fire not only feels cosy, but as the focal point of your living room it is important that your fire surround fits in well with your existing decor - as this can make or break the look of this space.

Some surrounds look tired and dated and could do with being replaced by a modern centrepiece. Or, if you have a period property with a fire surround that was ripped out in the 1950s and 60s, and the fireplace boarded up, it may be time to go back to basics and get your open fire back in use.

From stainless steel options to reclaimed wood, marble and stone, there are materials and designs to suit almost any style of home. The right choice not only looks spectacular but will bring your whole interior to life. Here, Big K takes a look at five top trends in fireplace surrounds:

Winter Fuel Home Delivery - click here to view our complete range of products to help keep you warm this winter.

Meanwhile, if you are updating your home and installing a new fireplace, or making use of an old one, organising winter fuel home delivery is a great timesaver as we come to you. So, you will have everything you need to keep you warm this winter, without even having to leave your home.

Top Trends in Fireplace Surrounds for 2014

Ultra Modern

If you love to be at the forefront of interior design there are a wide range of ultra modern fireplaces that will make your home glow. Fireplaces that are installed in the wall are sleek and contemporary, and look superb even when they are not in use. If you have bought in bulk for your winter fuel home delivery, you can store your wood burning logs in the wall alongside your concealed fireplace so it becomes part of the design, combining a modern feel with a rustic look. If you prefer your fireplace to stand out, there are some chic double-sided fireplaces that make your home feel cosy and your living room look stunning. Choose from brushed metal, steel and glass, or even hanging options that will turn your fireplace into a contemporary work of art.

Eco-Friendly

The last few decades has seen a growing move towards eco-friendly home furnishings, utilities and accessories. Even in fireplace surrounds, there is a trend towards those wanting to salvage old versions to suit their period home. Another option is to choose a fire surround made from reclaimed timber, which means that no trees have been cut down to make it. Solid wood versions suit all properties and blend with almost any colour scheme.

White Surrounds

White fire surrounds are classic, minimalist and timeless, and are unlikely to ever go out of fashion. Whether you want a statement fireplace with an angular white frame, or an all white open fire in the middle of the room, there are some great modern choices to go for. However, if you are looking for a fire surround to fit the shabby chic look, there is a wide choice of decorative fire surrounds that look serene and elegant.

Stone Fireplace

Stone or polished marble fireplaces make a great centrepiece and their history can be traced back to ancient Egyptian or Roman times. They made a grand comeback in the Art Deco period when some amazing sculptural pieces were created. The Art Deco style consisted of strong geometric designs or embellishments, and the movement flourished in the interwar period. Stone and marble fireplaces are still popular today and contemporary designs range from modern and linear to the more elaborate styles that look fantastic in a living room.

Brick Fireplace

Exposed brick fireplaces have been popular for centuries and are often seen in ancient buildings and oak beamed cottages. In fact they have never really gone out of fashion as the exposed brickwork creates an appealing feature. Brick-built fireplaces dominate a room, but give an interior a cosy and rustic feel. If you have just taken stock of your winter fuel home delivery there are many attractive ways to store your fuel near a brick built fireplace, such as in baskets or brass buckets.

Winter Fuel Home Delivery - click here to view our full range of products which includes seasoned hardwood logs, anthracite coal, coal, heat logs, kindling, instant lighting firelogs and lighting aids.