One of the most common questions our customers ask when ordering a stove from us is, "what is the difference between a wood burner and a multi-fuel stove?"

When searching for your new Solid Fuel Stove you will be faced with a choice of fuel types. Although widely known as solid fuel, stoves that fall under this category will be compatible with either wood logs, multi-fuel or both. There are a number of benefits with either so it is worth considering which fuel would suit your needs best.

Dedicated wood burning stoves offer you just that – the opportunity to burn wood logs on your stove to produce largely carbon neutral energy. A multi fuel stove however will have a broader capacity and will accept a range of materials to burn – wood logs, peat or turf briquettes and coal are all permissible. Additionally each of these fuels is known as ‘smokeless’ (with the exception of wood logs) and is eligible to be burned in smoke control areas. This is an excellent option for properties in areas affected by the Clean Air Acts where there are restrictions on the types of fuel burned. Although it is worth noting that many wood burning stoves are now available with smoke control kits, some of which are integral to their design and facilitate the burning of wood logs in a smoke control area.

Multi-fuel stoves are typically highly efficient and offer you the scope to burn the fuel that is most reasonable and local to you. The design of these stoves will differ from a wood burner with the structure of multi-fuel appliances  incorporating an integral riddling grate. This is because smokeless fuels burn best when they are raised, as this allows air to be drawn in from underneath the stove to facilitate combustion. The riddling grate allows the ash created during the burning process to be dispersed into an ashpan underneath the grate. This ashpan can then be quickly and easily emptied as required to maintain the air flow to your stove’s firebox.

Many multi-fuel stoves are equipped with advanced firebox technology with features such as cleanburn and airwash as standard. These functions work to maximise combustion efficiency and to keep the glass in your stove’s door clear and clean.