You may well have heard of wood or log burning stoves, but did you know that there is such a thing as a multi-fuel stove? We’re here to tell you all about them…
What is a multi-fuel stove?
A multi-fuel stove does largely what it says on the tin; it’s a stove capable of producing heat safely using a variety of fuels. Not every fuel burns in the same way, so multi-fuel stoves have been specially designed in order to allow you to control it to suit the type of fuel you’re burning. This differs from single-fuel burners, such as wood burning stoves, for example, which are only designed to accommodate one type of fuel.
What can you burn in a multi-fuel stove?
When you opt for a multi fuel stove, you’ll need to double check what exactly the model you’re considering can burn. However, you’ll find that many multi-fuel stoves are capable of burning the following:
- Logs
- Coal
- Wood briquettes
- Smokeless fuel
- Wood pellets (provided that you have a pellet basket)
How does a multi-fuel stove work?
Multi fuel stoves rely on the primary, secondary and, sometimes, tertiary air vents available. In wood burning stoves, these vents help when you’re starting a fire, but in a multi-fuel stove, they can also help you adapt it to the fuel you’re burning.
Primary air vents – located at the bottom of the unit, you can shut these off once the fire is burning if you’re burning wood, but leave them open for coal fires to allow the air to circulate under the grate.
Secondary air vents – controlling air into the top of the stove, secondary air vents help draw air in when you’re burning wood. They can be closed off when you’re burning coal.
Tertiary air vents – these can allow air flow through the back of the stove, igniting any particles exiting the stove, which can aid efficiency and clean burning.
It’s important to get to grips with when to open and shut these grates when you decide to have a multi-fuel stove installed, for both safety and efficiency.
What are the benefits of a multi-fuel stove?
Control the look
If you want a roaring fire, then you can pop some logs on the stove, even if you were previously using coal!
Adapt to the prices of fuel
When a certain type of fuel becomes more expensive, you can switch to another until it’s calmed down, allowing you to always be using whatever is cheapest.
Lower energy consumption
With no external power needed, and the ability to heat your home through wood, coal or other fuels, you can heat your home for less, and be kinder to the environment.
Ease of clean up
Multi-fuel stoves generally have a built-in ash pan, allowing you to remove and dispose of debris easily.
Smokeless fuel friendliness
If you’re in a smoke-controlled area, you can still have a multi fuel stove, provided you use smokeless fuels.
Why choose Wakefords for your multi-fuel stove?
Here at Wakefords, we’ve embraced the many ways you can heat your home, and are therefore proud to offer a range of multi-fuel stoves. Not only do we have the stoves available, but we’re also on hand to talk you through the kind of stove you need, and whether a multi-fuel stove is suitable for your home and your lifestyle.
If you’d like to benefit from our wide range of multi-fuel stoves as well as our years of experience, get in touch.