Bharat SainiLast Updated on July 31, 2014 by Bharat Saini
When shopping for a solid fuel stove, you will often come across designs such as multi-fuel and wood burning stoves. It is important to know which one will cater to your heating requirements by understanding what makes these stoves different. Both of them differ in design. Let us have a look at the key differences between these types of stoves so that you can make an informed purchasing decision.
Multi-Fuel Stoves
With a multi-fuel stove, you can use wood logs, peat, turf briquettes, coal and other smokeless fuels to produce heat. Since these types of stoves burn a wide range of fuels, they require removal of ash to ensure good airflow and optimum combustion. This is why most designs feature a central riddling grate and ashpan or a raised grate with moving bars that allow fuel to burn efficiently. This design enables air to flow through the fuel from beneath the grate. The ashpan facilitates safe and easy removal of ash that builds up after solid fuels burn in the stove.
The advantage of multi-fuel stoves is the fact that they are versatile because you can burn a wide range of fuels. They allow you to choose which source of fuel to use according to what you find suitable, convenient, accessible or affordable.
Wood Burning Stoves
These appliances are also known as wood fuel stoves. Wood burning stoves only burn logs to produce heat. They are different from their counterparts in that designs feature a firebox that allows ash to collect when the fire burns. As such, log burners have a fixed grate with a flat base where ash collects. The reason for this is that wood burns best when sitting on a bed of ash.
The biggest advantage to wood fuel stoves is their low carbon emissions. Unlike other fuels, wood is considered a low carbon option. This is because during their lifetime, trees absorb about the same amount of CO2 (carbon dioxide) that you would expend when burring logs in a stove.
Should You Buy a Multi-Fuel or Wood-Burning Stove?
It can be hard to single out which stove between the two is superior. The differences in design notwithstanding, both wood and multi-fuel stoves have negligible disparities in terms of heat output and efficiency. Regardless of which type of stove you choose, be on the lookout for HETAS approved models, which are certified for the quality and energy efficiency.
Another consideration to make is whether you live in a smoke controlled area. In that case, you would need to purchase a Defra-exempt stove or only burn smokeless fuel in a multi-fuel stove.
Availability of fuel is another important aspect to factor in when choosing which type of solid fuel stove to buy. If you have access to firewood, it would be ideal to purchase a dedicated log burner. However, if getting access to wood would be a problem, a multi-fuel stove would provide easy access to an alternative source of fuel.
You would also want to consider your budget, stove features and brand quality before buying a solid fuel stove. The bottom line however is to choose either a wood burning or multi-fuel stove that meets your needs.
This article was written by Allen Ferguson, a blogger based in the UK. Allen has been sharing useful information related to solid fuel stoves for 5 years. If you want to learn more about these types of stoves, then make sure to visit PG Fire Places.
