Choosing a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove
If you live in a Smoke Control Area you must use a DEFRA (DEpartment of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs) approved wood burning or multi fuel stove. These are often known as Defra Exempt Appliances and they permit burning approved smokeless coal and logs, without producing nuisance smoke.
Defra Approved
Anyone who lives in an area that has smoke control in place must have a DEFRA approved stove or log burner. Defra approved appliances have been tested to ensure they emit only minimal smoke. They also pass strict emission tests and meet government requirements for the Clean Air Act. DEFRA approved appliances are manufactured and designed in a manner that they can efficiently burn wood, resulting in minimal smoke. This is achieved by making sure that the stove has enough combustible flow. Here at Bowland Stoves we offer a range of modern and traditional DEFRA approved wood-burning stoves in a variety of styles.
If you're planning to install a DEFRA-approved stove, it's a great investment, whether you reside in a smoke control zone or not. Many of the latest models we sell come with an inbuilt feature that prevents the top air vent from being closed all the way. This stops the fire from deteriorating and causing more smoke.
Another great benefit of DEFRA approved stoves is that they are more energy efficient, allowing you to save fuel and keep your house warmer for longer. They produce less pollution than older stoves or open fires.
A few of the models that we have on hand are Eco Design 2022 compatible This is a wonderful feature that can help reduce the amount of fuel you'll need to purchase, which will save you even more money. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently and use the entire source of combustibles. They also have primary secondary, third, and tertiary controls.
We also stock a variety of DEFRA Multi Fuel Stoves. These allow you to burn any solid fuel, including smokeless coal or peat or turf Briquettes. They are ideal for those who wish to use their stove with various fuels. They also are permitted for use in Smoke Control Areas, if you are looking for a DEFRA multifuel stove that can be used in a Smoke Control Area take a look at our selection of Defra Exempt multifuel stoves.
Clean Burning Technology
A multi fuel stove is an excellent option for homeowners who would like to have a wood burning stove but don't have enough space to store logs. These stoves can be stocked with either manufactured or logs, or fuels such as peat and coal Briquettes. They typically burn both kinds of fuel more efficient than traditional wood burners. This is because multi-fuel stoves have been made to burn a variety of fuels.
Stoves that are designed to burn a variety fuels typically have a raised grate that is designed to allow air to circulate underneath the fuel. This is due to certain fuels, like peat and turf briquettes require lots of air beneath them to ignite and burn effectively. Most multi fuel stoves also come with an additional air flow that can be opened or closed depending on the type of fuel you are using. This will help keep the fire going, by supplying additional air into the stove. It also increases the efficiency of combustion.

The primary and secondary airflow systems within a fireplace can be used to regulate the flame's height and temperature. This is crucial as different types of fuel will burn at different rates and produce a different amount of heat. Making sure you keep the flame's high and temperature within a certain range will ensure that your stove is running as efficiently as possible and generating the highest amount of heat from its fuel.
Lastly, you will need to regularly remove ash from your stove and place it in an ash bucket or ash pan. This will stop the accumulation of ash over the stove's grates and will hinder your fuel from burning properly. You will also need to keep your stove glass clean to prevent any discoloration. Utilizing a damp scourer and a special cleaning product designed for stoves will help you keep your stove looking brand new. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines when cleaning and maintaining your stove in order to avoid damage or causing any issues.
Low Emission Vehicles
The top multi-fuel stoves are designed with low emissions, which means they burn wood or smokeless coal or a combination of both with the least amount of emissions. This is crucial in areas that have smoke control like London where you would need to choose a Defra approved stove and only burn authorised fuels in the Ready To Burn scheme to meet local regulations and keep the air fresh.
A stove that is Defra-approved will usually have an automatic fuel feed and air supply control to ensure the fire burns efficiently. This means that there is no smoke, and a high level of heat. It is a good choice for a small space in which the stove could be the central point.
If you live in a zone of smoke control, it is crucial to make use of an Defra approved stove to ensure you are in compliance with the regulations and avoid paying huge penalties for burning illegally. There are a variety of Defra approved stoves on the market but we recommend that you choose an woodburning stove that is also Eco Design 2022 compliant as it will provide you with more of a view of your flame and will be more energy efficient too.
The AGA Ellesmere EC4 is an excellent example of an Ecodesign and DEFRA approved stove that offers both aesthetics and efficiency. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller spaces. It also has easy-to-use secondary and primary air controls. Its stylish design would fit in both traditional and modern settings.
Another alternative is the Stovax Blithfield which is a stove with a widescreen and a big square window that offers stunning flame views. It comes in a variety of colors to match your decor. This stove is Defra- and Eco Design-compliant. It comes in the Tracery or Clear Arch version. The Tracery version features dramatic Gothic arches to the door.
A good alternative to a traditional multi fuel stove is a pellet stove, which uses compressed wood or biomass pellets to provide a very efficient fire that has a high level of heat output. The pellets are made from scrap materials like sawdust, and other wood products, which makes it a green option. The stoves come with a hotplate and oven, which means they can also be used for cooking. They tend to have a larger flue outlet than the standard 6" (150mm) however they will still be compatible with a 5" (125mm) liner to ensure safety. This is a great choice in cases where it's difficult to install a 6" (150mm) or if the chimney stack has some unusual bends.
Energy Efficiency
The combustion of fuel in a multifuel stove creates heat that the stove then distributes to the room. It does this via radiation, where the hot surface of the stove radiates heat into the room or by convection, where it draws cold air in from outside, then heats it up, and then redirects it back into the room. The majority of modern multifuel stoves are designed to maximise the efficiency of their heat output by using secondary and tertiary sources to minimize emissions and burn fuel as efficiently as possible.
Stovax Go Eco 5-kW widescreen multifuel Stove is an excellent example. fireplacesandstove is approved by both Defra as well as Ecodesign. Its big square window gives an amazing view of the flame and the fact that it is larger than normal means it can be inserted into the chimney with a wider opening. It also has an airwash system that keeps the glass inside free of soot. The stove comes with six different finishes and you can even put a top plate on it to cook on.
Multifuel stoves can be an efficient method to use wood, though you should follow your appliance's guidelines for the best results and ensure that it is regularly inspected by a professional. It is also essential to select the correct fuel, as each type will burn at different rates and generate the same amount of energy. You'll need to decide whether you want the fire to generate a lot of heat quickly or when you're more interested in a slow, long burn that creates a warm air in the room.
If you live in a region where smoke is controlled, you must be aware that only DEFRA-approved cooking stoves are allowed to be used to burn smokeless coke and wood. You could be fined a lot of money if you burn other fuel. Your stove may also be damaged.
The Defra approved multifuel stoves we have available in stock all have 5" (125mm) flue outlets which can be fitted to an existing chimney stack or flue system. This is a cheaper solution than fitting a stainless-steel twin wall liner, in particular in the case where you don't have to extend as high as the chimney.