Multi Fuel Log Burner

A multi-fuel log burners near me (Healthyschools`s statement on its official blog) burner is a electric stove log burner that can burn coal, wood, and smokeless fuels like anthracite. They can be used to heat the home, and are usually connected to a central heating unit.

Multi fuel stoves have an air vent on the front of the firebox. This allows you to regulate the amount of air circulating under the grate. This permits the burning of coal, mineral fuels and wood.

Fuels that are smokeless

A smokeless fuel, such as anthracite or coke is a fossilized solid that does not release smoke when it is burned. This is due to the absence of volatile substances. Volatile matter is what that produces smoke and sulphur dioxide during burning, so it is essential to search for a fuel that has no volatile matter.

Smokeless fuels are generally made from anthracite, which is a natural rock with high carbon content and low impurities. It is a slow-burning, tough fuel that can be difficult for some people to light. Once ignited it can burn for long periods of time with a blue flame and little smoke.

It is often combined with other fuels to create Briquettes that are easy to light and provide longer lasting heat. Briquettes made of this are referred to as smokeless coal or sometimes simply referred to as ovals. They are manufactured by drying anthracite and breaking it into a fine dust then mixing in smokeless binding agents like clay, starch, or molasses, to form the briquettes we stock.

These briquettes can be used in open fireplaces, and room heaters. They also produce a cleaner flame with less sulphur dioxide and up to 20 percent less carbon dioxide than regular house coal when burnt.

Many of our customers are switching from traditional house coals to smokeless fuels. This is not just better for your chimney and flue but also for the planet. This is particularly true when you reside in a region that has a smoke control zone.

The reason that smokeless fuels are more sustainable for the environment is that they don't produce more ash than conventional house coal, which can lead to obstructions and damage to your stove. They also burn hotter for longer, so your fuel lasts longer and releases less emissions, which means it is healthier for you as well as the environment. Our most popular smokeless fuel is Excel which is authorised for use in smoke controlled areas and approved by HETAS the official body endorsed by the government. It is a rounded briquette which is easy to light and provides good air flow so it can be used in open or closed appliances.

Coal

Many people believe that they can use household coal in a log burner however this is not recommended. Homemade coal can cause damage to the stove and could be dangerous to your health as it produces carbon monoxide. It is also more soiled than wood and can't be used when smoke control is required. If you do decide to burn coal in your stove, it is much better to purchase smokeless fuels like anthracite. These are HETAS or DEFRA approved and can be used in smoke control zones.

You must use a clean grate while using coal. A multi fuel stove will usually feature a vented grate that is designed to allow air to be able to flow under the grate and there is an ash pan underneath. You can build a small tower with burning coals at the bottom of the fire as it gets bigger. This will stop the coal from burning too quickly and help it to produce heat.

Anthracite coal is more dense than regular household coal, and requires an elevated temperature to ignite, but it also emits plenty of heat once it has caught the flame. It has an increased energy content and burns longer than other types. You should only burn the kiln dried coal that has been treated prior to burning to eliminate some of the moisture which could cause it to burn too fast.

It is important to keep a layer of kindling or tinder underneath the coal in order to prevent it from burning too fast. Then, slowly add larger pieces of coal to the tinder. This will stop the coal from burning too fast and releasing dangerous fumes.

It is important to always adhere to the instructions of the manufacturer for your stove. This includes ensuring that the wood has been dried prior to use. It is best to have the wood split and seasoned at least two years before you begin using it. If this isn't possible, kiln-drying can be an alternative.

Briquettes of turf or peat

Multi fuel log burners allow you to burn different solid fuels, such as peat and turf, in addition to anthracite or wood. These are often cheaper than traditional firewood and save you money on your heating bills.

Peat briquettes are made of peat that has been shredded and been pressed and dried into an inert fuel suitable for domestic use. They were first developed in Ireland in the 1950s, and have since replaced sods of peat as a domestic fuel. Peat Briquettes are more efficient sods of raw peat and also generate less carbon dioxide emissions.

The first briquettes were referred to as culm bombs and used wet clay as a binder. This made them difficult to light and were ash-rich, which would block air flow from the grate of a stove. The latest briquettes have been mechanically cut and pressed in order to mimic the geological processes that made coal. They are less likely to become blocked and can be lit using just a few pieces dry peat.

As they burn, briquettes release gases that help form a low-smoke flame. They are easier to light than traditional wood fires and can be utilized in an insert for a fireplace or the stove that is specifically designed to hold the briquettes.

Most DIY and timber outlets offer these. They can be stored in garages or sheds heated in a dry location. Avoid stacking the logs since this can increase the moisture content, reducing their burning efficiency.

In the past the peat was cut with the knife that was slean. It was laid out to dry in the summer before burning to provide warmth in the winter months of autumn and winter. Peat bogs are rich in biodiversity, but they are reduced more quickly than they are formed. As a result they are absorbing carbon dioxide and contribute to global warming.

The image above was taken in 2021 and depicts a peat-covered field bogs close to Ballyforan in County Offaly. Around 20 percent of Ireland's peatlands remain intact. The rest is harvested by excavators and other specialized equipment. This is a radical shift from the previous practices where peat harvesting operations employ long knives to cut through the turf and moss.

Wood

Multi fuel stoves are made to burn a variety of different solid fuels. The fuels are put into the firebox via a door and the stove is heated by hot gases that are produced by the combustion of the solid fuels. The gases are drawn out of the chimney using an exhaust system. You can view the flames through the glass window. There are typically air vents that control the amount of oxygen entering the stove.

There are many kinds of wood which can be used as fuel, but the best wood for log burners is mature, which means that it has been dried and cut for a long period of time in order to reduce the moisture content which hinders its efficient burning. Seasoned wood burns quicker and produces more heat. Logs that are not seasoned or kiln-dried are also available, but they will take longer to burn and create more smoke.

The fuel should be stacked on the top of the kindling prior to lighting the multi-fuel log burner. Then, add a few firelighters, and then coal, logs or briquettes, around them. The firelighters can be lit by themselves and, once they're burning continuously, the rest the fuel should be added to keep them burning.

A great way to maintain a fire in a multi-fuel stove is to keep the grate clean, especially after every use. This will allow the bio fuel log burner to burn more efficiently and keep the ash from building up and blocking the air flow. The ash pan that sits under the grate of most modern multifuel stoves must be emptied regularly to prevent it from overflowing.

Anthracite coal is an excellent fuel for a multifuel stove, and this can be bought at a similar price to wood, but it burns much hotter and produces significantly less smoke. You can buy this in bags or by the tonne depending on the quantity you need. You can also add an appliance for wood burning to multifuel stoves to allow you to burn wood and coal.