Choosing a Log burner

By GTD Office

How to choose what you need

Don't rush into buying a wood stove solely because you like the look of it, your friend is getting rid of one or because it is super cheap or on special offer. If an incorrect appliance is purchased, it cannot be certified as safe to use. Don't panic and do take your time to make the correct choice.

Lack of planning usually means having to buy extra materials or parts and sometimes having to send appliances back or sell them privately. This can often turn a bargain into an expense. We can often get a discount for you on the price that you see whilst browsing shopping websites, so it's wise to book a survey before actually buying your woodburner.

Get a few comparison quotes but make sure the items are like-for-like. Some installers have been known to fit a 316 liner to a multifuel stove just to save money and win the job. But this liner is suitable for burning wood only and may only last 3-5 years if you are burning coal on it.

Due to high demand and slow processing times at Customs for stoves coming from overseas, stock levels of wood stoves has been wildly fluctuating over the last 18 months. Don't let low stock pressure you into a purchase. There are many other similar stoves out there and bargains to be had if you are flexible on looks.

If you are interested in buying British and reducing your carbon footprint, then take a look at our brand comparison page.
For great deals on installation of a wood burner or multifuel stove plus flexible liner kit and commisioning see our Spring/ Summer Sale

Research your woodburner installation


Get your woodburner installation right by researching what is on the market, whilst knowing exactly what you need. Start planning around March time so that there is plenty of stock available when you are buying, and if the model you prefer is not instock, you are happy to wait a few weeks or months because the weather is nice and you don't need to have the heating on.

Compare quotes making sure that the liner and kit are comparable. 316 liner is not the same as 904 liner and will last around 3-5 years if you burn coal rather than 35 years for 904. Sometimes buying the cheapest is not the best solution.

Summer is a quieter time for installers and stove retailers, so you may find more special offers in the warmer months that save you money. Take a look at our current multi-fuel burner installation special offer and our wood burner installation offer.

Finding the right log burner

 

There are thousands of burners to choose from, so here are some tips to help you narrow down the search.
Before buying work out if you need a woodburner or multifuel stove, double sided or stove with a back boiler, pellet stove or regular stove; twin wall or chimney?


Jargon explained

 

If there are words that you don't understand or want to clarify, take a look at our animation explaining the technical names of the different parts of your fireplace.  

Things to consider

Are you going to burn logs, coal or both?
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Do you want to heat the whole house or just one or two rooms?
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Is there enough room for a freestanding stove?
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Do you want a colourful stove?
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How often do you want to add fuel to the fire? 
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Can you use your existing fireplace or chimney ?
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What kilowattage is suitable for your room?
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Do you want black or silver twin wall?
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Measure your chamber

Don't buy a stove that fills your opening. Buy one at least 10cm smaller than the opening on each side. Check the specifications in the manual online to find out how much gap it should have around it for air flow. Too small a gap means it will not meet building regulations, and you will have a warm wall rather than a warm room...

How eco-friendly are you?
Wood stoves are better for the environment than multi-fuel stoves that burn both wood and coal. Installation of 1 woodburner is also cheaper, although the method is the same. Different methods of heating produce different environmental impact. Look for a high efficiency rating around 80% or better , A or better on the energy label and a Clear Skies mark of 3 or above. Some manufacturers import to the UK raising the carbon footprint of your purchase.

Measure your room
Don't buy a stove that is too hot for your room. 4 to 5kW is good enough for the average living room. Larger than this will mean fitting a permanently open air vent to an external wall, and is required by building regulations. Use a Stove Output Calculator to work out the kilowattage (kW) that you need.

Types of stove - Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves might not be as aesthetically pleasing but need less attention and can heat your whole house with less effort. They usually need a twin wall flue and are incredibly efficient, so save you lots of money on fuel. The pellets they burn are a waste product from saw mills so very environmentally friendly.

Types of Stove - Freestanding/ Inset
If you don't have a chimney you will be needing a stove raised off the ground for ease of use and better aesthetics'. Look for one with a log store underneath and of course, you will be needing a twin walled flue. Some log burners and multi-fuel stoves can also be attached to radiators. For this you will also need a plumber.

Types of Stove - Gas / Electric / Bio-ethanol
Woodburner style gas fires and electric fires are less messy than their real counterparts but the flame is always fake. Bio-ethanol fires do not need a flue fitting and are great for topping up the heat in a small room. They have a real flame and the liquid fuel is made from recycled products. They cannot be topped up whilst hot and usually give out 1kW to 2kW of heat.

Eco Considerations
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