We might be a little biased, but we think buying a stove for your home is a great idea. However, choosing the right stove can be a little overwhelming if it’s your first, or you don’t really know what you’re after.

A key decision to make is whether to choose a wood burning stove or a multi fuel stove. In this article we’ll run through the difference wood burning and multi fuel stoves so you can make an informed choice about which is right for you and your home.

The difference between wood burning & multi fuel stoves

Wood burning stoves

Wood burning stoves don’t need too much of an introduction - they’re stoves designed to solely burn wood logs rather than other types of fuel.

Wood burners feature a flat base on which to burn the logs, which is where the ash collects. Keeping some ash on the floor of the wood burner actually aids in combustion, which isn’t the case with multi fuel stoves.

Different woods burn in different ways, and some should be avoided altogether - take a look at our guide on which wood to use in wood burning stoves. You should always make sure the wood is well seasoned so that it’s dried out.

If you live in a smoke control area, you may think that prohibits you from buying a wood burner, but that's not necessarily the case - you will need to purchase a DEFRA approved stove which are permitted for use in smoke control areas.

Multi fuel stoves

Multi fuel stoves, as the name suggests, can burn more than just wood. As well as logs, they can burn a variety of other materials, including peat or turf briquettes, coal, anthracite and other smokeless fuels. If you are considering buying a multi fuel stove and live in a smoke control area, it's worth noting that you can only use smokeless fuel. If you also want to burn wood, then you'll need to purchase a DEFRA approved multi fuel stove.

The inside of a multi fuel stove is a little different to a woodburner. They feature a riddling grate that sits above the floor of the stove, which aids airflow to help combustion of smokeless fuels. The riddling grate allows for ash to then be collected in the ashpan which can then be cleaned out after use - it’s important the ashpan is cleaned regularly so that air can flow freely around the stove and fuels can burn efficiently.

Basket of logs next to a wood burning stove

Should you choose a wood burning or multi fuel stove?

Here are some of the things that might sway your decision when choosing to buy a wood burning or multi fuel stove:

Design

When it comes to the design of your stove, both wood burning and multi fuel stoves come in wide range of styles and sizes. You should, therefore, be able to find something that suits your home’s decor regardless of which type you buy.

Here at Direct Stoves, we have traditional stoves and modern stoves to suit just about any home. From double sided stoves to inset stoves and everything in between, we’ve got just about every angle covered.

Cost

There isn’t an enormous difference in price between log burners and multi fuel stoves. There are budget and luxury ends of both styles, so you can spend a few hundred pounds on a cheaper model or a couple of thousand for a higher end model.

The cost of fuel will also vary depending on the type and quality of whatever fuel you’re using.

Find out more information about the cost of wood burning stoves.

Eco-friendliness

Much has been written about whether stoves are environmentally friendly or not. However, wood burners are actually considered carbon neutral. This means that the carbon dioxide released is equal to the amount a tree absorbs while it’s growing, as long as you buy your wood from a supplier that promises to replace trees that have been cut down.

The eco-friendliness of multifuel stoves is dependent on the type of fuel being burned. Burning smokeless fuel is much better for the environment than burning coal, for example.

SIA Ecodesign stoves are the benchmark in the industry for cleaner emissions.

If you have an old stove and want to upgrade to a newer, more eco-friendly model, get 10% off with our Stove Scrappage Scheme.

Ease of use

Probably the most attractive quality of a multi fuel stove is the ability to use different fuels to suit you. This means you can choose different local suppliers and change which fuel you use depending on availability and cost.

You don’t quite have the same luxury with a wood burner, although you shouldn’t have too much difficulty finding a local firewood supplier.

Check out our full range of wood burning stoves and multifuel stoves - and get in touch if you would like any more information.