What type of wood burning or multi fuel stove is right for you? Choosing the right wood burning or multi fuel stove for your home requires careful consideration. Factors such as the size of your room, heating requirements, and personal style preferences will all play a role in determining which log burner is right for you.
Looking for help on how to choose the right log burner for your home? We would always recommend taking advice from your local Stovax retailer before selecting your stove. However, the key factors to you will need to take into consideration are:
The first thing you’ll need to do is choose a design. Ask yourself if you want a stove or an inset fire, and whether you want to go for contemporary or traditional styling. A stove can be freestanding against a wall, or tucked into an inglenook, whilst an inset fire will be set into your wall, or existing fireplace for a clean and integrated look. Use our handy Product finder to filter the style you are looking for.
To achieve a relaxing room temperature of around 21ºC when the external air temperature is at freezing (0ºC) you will need approximately 1kW of heat output for every 14 cubic meters of space.
Measure the length, width and height of your room and multiply the three figures together.
For example, a room measuring 7m long by 4m wide and with a height of 2.5m is 70 cu. m. of space. Divide by the sum by 14 and this means you will require a 5kW stove.
However, factors such as the number of outside walls, the size of windows and whether they are double glazed, the age of the home etc, can all influence the heat requirement.
We would always recommend you consult your local Stovax retailer for expert advice before making your decision.
There are two types of solid fuel stoves and fires – the dedicated wood burner that only burns logs, and the multi fuel appliance that can burn either logs or smokeless fuels. The atmosphere of real dancing flames and the wide variety of styling options available are what make solid fuel stoves and fires an appealing option. Bolstering their charming good looks, wood fuel for these appliances is widely appreciated to be an eco-friendly option.
Logs burns best on a flat bed of ash, with air for combustion coming from above. Smokeless fuels burn best on a grate, with air entering from beneath the fire and cinders dropping into an ashpan below. Wood burning models, therefore, have flat fuel beds whilst multi fuel models incorporate grates, but the latter are also designed to allow you to develop a bed of ash upon which to burn logs should you wish.
Alternatively to wood burning or multi fuel, you may want to consider gas or electric. If you are considering gas, the very latest gas stoves and fires boast fuel beds that are almost indistinguishable from real wood burning fires, along with designs to suit both traditional and contemporary home styling. Offering high heating performance uncompromised by design, gas stoves and fires bring real flames at the touch of a button.
If convenience and ease of installation is at the top of the list, electric stoves and fires make a great solution. Providing instant localised heat, and only requiring a standard three-pin plug socket, the designer electric fire creates a striking focal point while being installed almost anywhere in the home.
If you live in a town or city, the chances are that you live in a Smoke Control Area.
When it comes to real log burners, it is important to consider local smoke control restrictions that may be in place in the area. Look for stoves and fires that are approved for smoke control locations – even homes in the most urban areas may be able to use appliances that are exempt from the restrictions.
To meet the smoke emission standards for these areas, you can only burn logs on a wood burning or multi fuel stove or fire that has been approved by DEFRA as sufficiently designed to be exempt from the regulations. Alternatively, you can burn authorised smokeless fuels. Find out more about log burner rules on our useful articles that helps to explain what you can and cannot burn.
We hope the answers to these questions will assist you in narrowing down your selection, and guide you to the ideal log burner for you. Please use the Product Finder on this website to make your selection, and don’t forget to contact your local retailer when it is time to make that exciting purchase.
Posted by Dan on March 17, 2023
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Advise on a multifuel stove for our cottage, room measures 12ft x 15ft x 7ft
Hi Steve, We recommend that you locate your nearest Stovax retailer who will be able to discuss your individual requirements both technical and design. They will ensure that you select the most appropriate product for your home.
Hi there
My parents are looking to renew their existing Parkray GT111 stove.
Can you confirm whether you can buy stoves specifically for smokeless fuel and not wood burning? Will these come with the grate you mention and do the grates last?
Good afternoon Margaret, Thank you for your interest in our products. We recommend that you seek further recommendations from your local retailer. You can find your local retailer by visiting the following: https://www.stovax.com/information/find-a-retailer/ Good luck and best wishes!
Hi
Can you pls tell me if I could burn coal one day and then wood the next on a multi fuel burner
Hi Lynne, thanks for your message. Yes multi-fuel models are designed to offer flexibility, so you can burn smokeless fuels one day and then logs the next.
Best wishes, Chris