Fuel Types

Many models of stove are available to use different fuel types. What are the advantages of each?

Wood

Wood is the oldest way of keeping warm. It is a renewable resource, and is usually the most economical fuel.

A wood stove appeals to senses of sight, sound and smell. You need a supply of wood that has been allowed to dry out for 18 months or more: this usually means a fairly large storage space.

Solid Fuel

Solid Fuel includes several products, ranging from different grades of coal, through a number of smokeless fuels and coke, to petrochemical solid fuels.

The main advantages of solid fuel are that you get a lot of warmth from the fuel, and there is nothing to match seeing a live fire heating the room. Some petrochemical fuels burn so hot that they need special grates.

Many solid fuels burn smokelessly, give a high heat output, and are clean and light to deal with.

Multi Fuel

Many stoves are designed to be able to burn wood or solid fuel or even dry peat. Normally, wood is best burned slowly on a bed of ash at least an inch deep, supplied with air from above. Other solid fuels are best burned on a grate with the air supply from below. Multi-fuel stoves have dual air supplies, giving you more choice of fuels.

Oil

Oil is probably the cheapest fuel source. It provides a controllable, no-mess supply of fuel, available at the turn of a knob.

However, you do need a storage tank, and regular deliveries of fuel. Oil stoves usually require a mains electricity supply. Normally, your supplier will top up on a schedule, so you don't have to worry about running out, and you get the advantages of an independent, reliable fuel supply with no worries.

Gas

Mains gas is the heating fuel of choice for many households. Available on tap at all times, it gives clean, no-fuss warmth, and you can buy your gas from a range of different suppliers. Some places do not have a mains gas supply, however.

LP Gas

Liquid Petroleum Gas is an alternative fuel if you do not have a mains gas supply. It is another clean, no mess source of fuel that also gives independence of supply, and is suitable for remote locations, or mobile locations (such as boats).

LP Gas is normally stored outdoors in the familiar orange or red cylinders, or in bulk tanks. It is not a particularly cheap form of fuel, however.

Electricity

A clean, convenient form of heating that gives great flexibility. An electric stove needs no chimney, and can be installed more or less anywhere where a suitable power supply socket is available. Again, not a cheap form of heat, but a good electric stove does provide a focal point to a room as well as warmth. This is why some stoves and fireplace suites have a fire-like display operated by electricity, but provide limited heat or no heat to the room.

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