Multi Fuel Log Burner

A multi-fuel log burner is a stove that can burn coal, wood, or non-smokeless fuels such as anthracite. They can be used to heat the home, and are usually connected to central heating units.

Multi-fuel stoves are equipped with a separate air vent on the front of their firebox. This allows them to manage the amount of air that is pumped through the grille. This allows the burning of coal, mineral fuels and wood.

Fuels that are smokeless

A fuel that is smokeless, such as anthracite or coke, is a solid fossil that does not release smoke when burned. This is due to the absence of volatile substances. Volatile matter is the substance that produces smoke and sulphur dioxide during burning, therefore it is important to look for a fuel with no volatile matter.

Anthracite, a natural rock with high levels of carbon and few impurities It is used to create smokeless fuels. It is a slow-burning, hard fuel that is difficult for some people to light. Once ignited, it will burn for a long time with a blue fire and little smoke.

It is often mixed with other fuels to create briquettes that are easier to light and produce a longer-lasting heat. Briquettes made of this are referred to as smokeless coal or just called ovals. They are made by drying anthracite and breaking it down into a dust then mixing in smokeless binding agents like clay, starch or molasses, to form the briquettes we stock.

These briquettes are more versatile than anthracite since they can be used in multi fuel stoves as well as open fires and room heaters. When burned, they emit an unclean flame that releases less sulphur and as much as 20 percent less carbon dioxide.

Many of our clients are making a change from traditional house coal to smokeless fuels which is not only more beneficial for your chimney and flue but also for the environment. This is especially true if you live within an area of smoke control.

The reason smokeless fuels are better for the environment is that they don't create as much ash as traditional house coal, which could cause obstructions and damage to your stove. They also burn more hot and longer, so your fuel will last longer and emit less carbon dioxide. This is better for both you and the environment. Our most popular smokeless fuel is Excel which has been authorised for use in smoke controlled areas and approved by HETAS, the official body endorsed by the government. Excel is a rounded briquette which is easy to light and has good air flow. It is suitable for use in open and closed appliances.

Coal

Many people believe that they can use coke from their home in a wood-burner however this isn't recommended. Homemade coal can harm the stove, and could be hazardous to your health as it produces carbon monoxide. It is also dirtier than wood and can't be used in areas where smoke control is required. If you do decide to burn coal, it is best to use smokeless fuels like anthracite, which are HETAS and DEFRA approved. They can be used in smoke control areas.

If you are using coal, you must create a fire on an unclean grate. Multi fuel stoves feature vented grates that allow air to flow beneath the grate. There will also be an ash pan under. You can build a small tower with firewood piled on top of the fire as it grows. This will stop the coal from burning too fast and will increase the heat.

Anthracite coal is more dense than the normal household coal, and requires more heat to be lit, however it releases lots of heat once it is caught on fire. It has a higher energy content and is more durable than other types of. You should only burn the kiln dried coal that has been treated prior to burning to remove some of the moisture which could cause it to burn too quickly.

It is important to keep a layer of kindling or tinder under the coal in order to keep it from burning too fast. Then, gradually add larger pieces of coal to the tinder. This will stop the coal from overheating and burning too fast which could cause dangerous fumes.

Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for your particular stove, and this includes making sure that all wood is dry prior to being used. Ideally, it should have been split and seasoned for two years or more before you begin using it, but in the event that this isn't possible, then kiln drying is an option.

Briquettes made from peat or turf

Multi fuel log burners allow you to burn various solid fuels like peat and turf, in addition to anthracite or wood. These are usually cheaper than traditional firewood, and can save you money on heating expenses.

Peat briquettes are made up of peat that has been shredded and been pressed and dried to create an unburned fuel for domestic use. In the 1950s, they were invented in Ireland and have replaced raw peat sods as fuel for domestic use. Peat Briquettes are more efficient raw peat sods and also produce fewer carbon dioxide emissions.

The first briquettes, also known as culm-bombs were made from wet clay. This could make them difficult to light and they contained a lot of ash which would block air flow through the grate of a stove. The newest briquettes are mechanically cut and pressed under pressure to replicate the geological processes that created coal. They are less prone to blockage and can be lit with just a few small pieces of dry peat.

As they burn, the briquettes release gases that help to form an extremely low-smoke fire. They are much easier to light than traditional wood fires. They can be used either in a fireplace insert, or a stove designed to accommodate briquettes.

The majority of DIY and timber stores have these. They can be stored in garages or sheds heated in a dry location. Avoid stacking the logs since this will increase the moisture content, which can reduce their burning efficiency.

In the past, peat was cut by hand with the help of a knife known as a"slean. The peat was then left to dry in the summer, before burning to provide warmth in the winter months of autumn and winter. Peat bogs are abundant in biodiversity, but they are depleted faster than they can be constructed. As a result they are absorbing carbon dioxide and contributing to global warming.

The photo above was taken in 2021 and shows a field of peat bogs in the vicinity of Ballyforan in County Offaly. About 20 percent of Ireland's peatlands are intact. The rest are harvested with excavators or specialized machinery. This is a significant departure from the traditional methods when peat harvesting operations make use of long knives to cut through the turf and moss.

Wood

Multi-fuel stoves can burn a variety of solid fuels. The solid fuels are loaded through an opening into the firebox and the stove is heated through the hot gas produced by combustion. The gasses are pumped through the chimney by an exhaust system. You can observe the flames through the glass window. There are usually air vents to regulate the amount of oxygen that enters the stove.

Different kinds of wood can be used as fuel. However, the best wood to use in a 5kw log burner burner is seasoned. This means it has been cut, dried and seasoned for a long time. This decreases the moisture content, which prevents the wood from burning efficiently. Seasoned wood burns faster and produces more heat. Logs that are not seasoned or kiln dried can also be used however they take longer to burn, and they produce more smoke.

The fuel should be placed on top of the kindling before lighting a multi-fuel log burner for shed burning. Then add a few firelighters, and then coal, logs or briquettes on top of them. The firelighters can be lit directly and, once they're burning consistently the rest of the fuel should be added to keep them burning.

A good way to maintain a fire in a multi-fuel stove is to keep the grate spotless, particularly after every use. This will allow the fuel to burn more effectively and will prevent the ash from accumulating and obstructing the flow of air. The ash pan that sits beneath the grate on most modern multifuel stoves must be cleaned regularly to avoid it from overflowing.

Anthracite is a great fuel to use in an all-fuel stove. It is available at the same price as wood, but burns hotter and produces less smoke. You can buy this fuel in tons or bags depending on the amount you need. It is also possible to put a woodburning conversion kit onto the stoves that are multifuel, which will allow you to burn wood and coal.