Joseph G. Bodden is a Wisconsin native and is semi-retired after 40+ years in marketing, sales and technical customer service work. Over 28 of those years have been in the fireplace industry, many as the Hearth Division Manager in an organization that operates two retail shops. During that time, Bodden was certified by the National Fireplace Institute in wood & gas technologies. He was also selected several times by Hearth & Home magazine as a judge for the annual VESTA awards that recognize manufacturers creativity and innovation in product design and technology.
One thing that Joe particularly finds fulfilling is explaining fairly complex subjects to fireplace customers and steering them to specific products that will satisfy their objectives. There’s nothing like unsolicited positive feedback from a happy customer!
Bodden lives in the scenic driftless region in southwest Wisconsin with his bride of 48 years. He enjoys the outdoors, playing guitar and spending time with their grandson and five granddaughters.
Firstly, refer to your owner’s manual, which every wood burning fireplace, insert, or stove should come with. In the manual, you’ll find detailed instructions and installation regulations as well as diagrams or pictures to show the clearance requirements. When buying an older model, it may not have been tested or listed. Therefore, refer to the…
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set clean air standards, which mean that wood burning stoves must now contain a re-burn system. These are special components that reduce particle pollution and they come in two different types - catalytic and non-catalytic. Catalytic wood stoves have a tiny combustor. When you shut off the damper, smoke…
Recently, the regulations against polluting wood burning stoves have tightened. The Environmental Protection Agency has set out regulations about how much pollution a wood burning appliance can emit. The reason behind this is that, as part of the combustion process, the smoke from a wood burning fire contains harmful gases and particles. Prior to the…
Buying the cheapest bargain you can find when looking for a wood burning appliance is a bit of a fallacy. Sometimes, the price you pay can reflect the performance and lifespan of your fire. In truth, there should be a balance between not paying too much or too little. The best advice is to be…
Your choice of wood will have an effect on how your wood burning appliance performs and how long a lifespan it will have. Also, the type of wood you choose will have an effect on the maintenance and service requirements for your fireplace, stove, or insert. Finally, the wood can influence the heat your appliance…
This really depends. The most influential factor is the size of your firebox in cubic feet. Larger fireboxes can burn more fuel, therefore heating a larger space more effectively. Other important factors are the kind of wood you burn and how well insulated your home is. This includes the quality of your doors and windows…
You need to have a regular gas appliance check and carry out maintenance for safety reasons. This should be done on an annual basis. You can clean the glass door on your gas stove or fireplace every couple of months to prevent sticky deposits from accumulating. However, only do this with a special glass cleaner.…
When starting a fireplace, many experience condensation or fog on the glass for the first few moments. This shouldn’t cause any concern as it is part of the normal process of condensation that occurs when water vapor condenses onto a cool surface. Here is what you need to know.
Do you have a house with a wood burning fireplace that doesn’t provide any heat to your home? What can be done to provide more heat to your family room? Let’s discuss why a fireplace insert is a terrific way to update that old, inefficient outdated fireplace.
Which electric fireplace is the best? We have our favorites for good reasons. Before getting that answer, let us explain what is important to consider when it comes to electric fireplaces.
What is Creosote? Where does it come from? How to prevent its buildup in your chimney? This article answers these questions and offers a guide to ensure you keep your family safe while enjoying your fireplace!
Do you hear wind blowing inside your fireplace? Do you have a hard time lighting it when the wind is blowing strong? Do you have smoke rolling back into the house when it’s windy outside? This article deals with the wind and how to adapt your fireplace and chimney installation to avoid those issues.
Adding a fireplace to your home adds value and a tremendous source of comfort. What are the requirements to consider before installing a fireplace? Is it different whether it is wood, gas or electric? This article provides great information on what is physically necessary to consider before installing a fireplace.
Ready to use your fireplace? Starting a fire may sound simple at first, but failing at doing it may feel embarrassing and even create some problems. This article offers practical advice to light a fire and two proven methods that are easy to put into practice.
What happens to your fireplace and chimney when it rains? Does it have any impact? Will the rain create damages to my chimney? This article explains the effect of water infiltrations and gives the solution to prevent problems from happening to your chimney.
What is soapstone? Where does it come from? What are the advantages of a wood burning stove made of soapstone? Are they expensive? This article answers those questions and highlights four benefits of the soapstone stoves.
How much firewood do you need to buy or cut for the coming winter? This article explains what variables to consider when heating with wood. Several factors will be at play to determine how much firewood is needed to go through a whole winter.
Fireplace Accessories make a difference when it comes to upgrade the look and impact it has in your home. Which ones are the most popular? Where do we find them? Are there rules to follow? This article answers these questions.
How are gas fireplaces installed? Some online resources may show a step by step process to help the DIY in you. Gas fireplaces involve fire and gas, inside the home! Understanding the process is important. Having the certified experts to do the work is of the outmost importance. This article highlights what is involved in installing a gas fireplace.
Remodeling an older fireplace is fun and will increase the value of your home. Where do we start and how do we get this done? This articles provides good insight on the options available and 3 steps to follow to make of this project a success.
How to prevent chimney fires? This article explains the importance of chimney maintenance and also, offers great tips for the every day use of a wood stove or fireplace.
The best Barbecue, the best Grill. How do I find out? What are the best features to look at? This article details important information in order to help choose the right Grill.
Where to find fireplace replacement parts? As fireplaces get older, some maintenance is necessary to ensure optimum efficiency. Finding replacement parts for an older fireplace can be tricky, but the We Love Fire expert can help out!
Do you want to upgrade the look of your fireplace at a very low cost? Painting your fireplace might be the perfect option. This article offers practical advice to make of your project a successful one.
Do I need a blower fan for my fireplace? Will it make my stove more efficient? What are the pros and cons? Read on for an expert’s answers to these questions.
Can a fireplace heat my whole house? With rising heating bills, a fireplace may be the solution to lower heating cost while making your home warmer than ever. Find out how to choose the right fireplace to heat you whole house.
Does your old gas fireplace clash with your modern tastes? There are some inexpensive ways to update a gas fireplace and several options to suit your decor.
