If you’re after flexibility with your fire, then a multi-fuel stove is a great choice. Giving you the option of burning smokeless fuel, it's an ideal solution for homes in smoke-controlled areas, plus you can choose between a variety of fuel types, helping keep costs down.
Multi-fuel stoves are often seen as the more efficient choice as many can be adjusted to burn at the optimal rate for each different fuel type, but it’s worth checking the fuels available to you and the costs involved before you buy.
Thinking of investing in a multi-fuel stove? You've come to the right place! We've gathered a few of our favourite multi-fuel stoves on the market - read on to see them, and explore our FAQ section at the end to help you make an informed decision.
Best multi-fuel stoves to buy for 2024
Portway Arundel Deluxe Multifuel Ecodesign Stove
- Buy now from Direct Stoves (£750)
Many consumers are attracted to traditional-style stoves, but if you prefer a more contemporary look, be assured that there are plenty of options on the market to suit you, too. Portway's Arundel Deluxe Multifuel Ecodesign Stove boasts clean square lines and a chrome handle, giving it an up-to-date finish. Suitable for use with wood or smokeless fuels, it features a built-in cast iron raised grate which allows air to flow beneath the fuel source, maximising burning efficiency.
- 5kW heat output
- DEFRA-approved
- Energy rating 1
- Cast-iron construction
- Removeable ashpan
Buy now from Direct Stoves (£750)
Mazona Warwick 5 kW Ecodesign Ready Multi Fuel Wood Burning Stove
Made of imposing black alloy steel with a glass front, Mazona's 5kW Warwick stove would make an impressive addition to any space.
Fully compliant with the Ecodesign regulations introduced in 2022 to lower emissions, the stove also benefits from an Airwash system to minimise the need for manual cleaning. This design feature draws in air via a vent, and once heated the air is then directed across the glass to ensure it stays it sparkling clean even when in heavy use.
- 5kW heat output
- 5 year stove body warranty,
- Smoke Exempt / DEFRA Approved
- 5-inch single flue sold separately
Arada Solution 5 Multi-fuel Stove
- Buy now from Direct Stoves (£879)
Make a statement with this traditional-style stove. Available in a range of brilliantly bold colourways, it’s bound to become the focal point of any room. Like all of the best multi-fuel stoves, the Solution 5 is approved for use in smoke control areas and boasts a preheated airways system to keep the glass clean.
- 4.9kW heat output
- 10-year guarantee
- Energy efficiency class A
- Available in 11 colours
Buy now from Direct Stoves (£879)
Charlton & Jenrick Go Eco Excel Stove with traditional door
- Buy now from Direct Stoves (£829)
Traditionalists may prefer this stove’s curved window, but a square alternative is available. Both are highly efficient and can be freestanding, or placed in an inglenook or fireplace.
- 5kW heat output
- DEFRA exempt
- Over 80 per cent efficiency
Buy now from Direct Stoves (£829)
RoyalFire 4.2kW Steel Eco Multifuel Stove Firewood Starter Kit
RoyalFire's 4.2kW multi-fuel stove is constructed of solid steel and has been designed to accommodate a top or rear flue depending on your preferred layout. It's also one of a minority of multi-fuel stoves on the market which can be used with charcoal - worth nothing if this is an option you're keen to explore.
The stove also comes with a 10-12kg bag of firewood and a 1.5kg bag of kindling to get you started - a nice touch!
- 4.2kW heat output
- Burns wood, smokeless fuel and charcoal
- Airwash system for easy cleaning
ACR Stoves Woodpecker WP5 Stove
- Buy now from Direct Stoves (£799)
Designed to burn both wood and smokeless fuels, this stove is solidly constructed from steel and cast iron. It has sleek styling and a large glass door to help you enjoy the view of the fire as well as its heat. A five-year warranty covers all the stove’s castings.
- 5kW heat output
- DEFRA exempt
- Made from high-quality steel and cast iron
- Energy efficiency class A
Buy now from Direct Stoves (£799)
Morsø 4412 Wood Burning / Multifuel Ecodesign Stove
- Buy now from Direct Stoves (£2,480)
When it comes to sleek good looks, this Morsø multi-fuel stove is hard to beat. Crafted from high-quality steel, its landscape window affords a wide view of the flames, while its 'Airwash' keeps the glass door clean without the need for elbow grease. Add in a 10-year warranty, and it's unbeatable for peace of mind, too!
- DEFRA exempt
- 5kW heat output
- Wide screen for better flame viewing
- Energy efficiency class A
Buy now from Direct Stoves (£2,480)
Stovax Futura 5 Stove
- Buy now from The Fireplace Warehouse (£1395)
Make a statement with this traditional-style stove. Available in a range of brilliantly bold colourways, it’s bound to become the focal point of any room. The Solution 5 is approved for use in smoke control areas and boasts a preheated airways system to keep the glass clean.
- 4.9kW heat output • 10-year guarantee
- Energy efficiency class A
- Available in 11 colours
What's the difference between a multi-fuel stove and a wood-burner?
‘A dedicated wood-burning stove is designed to only burn logs, while a multi-fuel stove can burn logs or authorised "smokeless" fuels,’ says Michael Coke, Biomass Product Development Manager at Stovax Heating Group.
Multi-fuel stoves may also use a vented base, unlike a traditional wood-burner, as coal draws air from below in order to burn efficiently. Some models may feature a detachable grate which can be removed to create a solid base better adapted to wood burning.
What can I burn in a multi-fuel stove?
A multi-fuel stove can burn seasoned logs like a wood-burner, as well as at least one another form of fuel. Not all multi-fuel stoves can burn every type of fuel, so be sure to check the product specification carefully before you make a purchase, and consult the manufacturer if in doubt. Some of the most common wood alternatives for multi-fuel stoves include:
- Dried, seasoned wood logs
- Anthracite coal, often referred to as 'smokeless coal'
- Smokeless briquettes
- Wood pellets
Can I use a multi-fuel stove or wood-burner in a Smoke Control Area?
A Smoke Control Area is a location where you cannot emit a substantial amount of smoke from a chimney. The fine for breaking this can be anything from £175 to £300.
Generally, if you're in a Smoke Control Area, you can only burn authorised types of fuel, such as ‘smokeless’ anthracite coals (contact your local authority to find out about smoke control areas near you). Burning unauthorised fuel can land you a fine of up to £1,000.
Wood can be used in a Smoke Control Area only if your stove is a DEFRA Smoke Exempt Appliance. ‘DEFRA-exempt’ stoves still produce smoke and emissions but to reduced levels permitted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Find out more about Smoke Control Areas.
Can a multi-fuel stove heat a room?
To work out how much heat your stove will need to produce, first calculate the volume of the room you want to install it in by multiplying its width by its height and its length in metres (W x H x L = m3). Then divide the room’s volume by 14 to get an approximate kilowatt (kW) output needed to heat it. But bear in mind that the age of your property, number of outside walls and size of the windows can all make a difference.
You’ll also need to consider what size of stove you can accommodate, as you’ll need clearances (as required by the manufacturer) around it for safety. If you're looking to heat a small space without central heating, an energy-efficient portable electric heater might be a better option.
What wood can I put in a wood burner?
Only burn dry wood in a wood-burning stove. If you’re buying wood, look for wood that carries the ‘Ready to Burn’ logo. Recently chopped wood needs to be seasoned (dried) before it can be burnt as the moisture will create more smoke and reduce your stove’s efficiency. You can check wood’s moisture content with a moisture meter (wood with less than 20 per cent moisture is classed as dry). Install a carbon monoxide monitor to alert you to dangerous fumes and have your stove and chimney regularly maintained. And never burn treated wood.
Are wood-burning stoves bad for your health?
PM2.5 pollution is emitted whenever you burn wood. It’s small enough to pass through your lungs, enter your bloodstream and can damage your organs. According to the British Lung Foundation’s Taskforce for Lung Health: ‘exposure to PM2.5 can cause illnesses like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer’, among other serious conditions. So it’s worth considering whether or not you’ll want your stove on for prolonged periods before you invest.
Are wood-burning stoves bad for the environment?
According to figures from DEFRA, wood-burning stoves and domestic fires were the biggest source of small particle air pollution in the UK during 2019, being responsible for 38 per cent of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5).
However, in 2022 new regulations were introduced to drastically reduce the emissions of all fuel-burning heating stoves sold in the UK. The new Ecodesign-compliant stoves, if used and maintained correctly, are far more fuel-efficient than previous generations. However, if you live in a Smoke Control Area (see below) you will still be subject to DEFRA restrictions.
Can you have a stove in your garden office?
Yes you can,' says Jon Butterworth, Director of Arada Stoves, 'but make sure you choose the right wood-burner and that you meet the approval of Building Regulations. Any stove, regardless of its heat output, requires an additional air supply if installed in a building that was built post-2008, or one that has been renovated with double glazing and high levels of insulation.
'A certified installer who is registered can gain the building regulations approval for you, notifying your local authority. Alternatively, you can install the woodburner yourself, but you will need to ensure that you gain approval from your local authority building control office. Luckily, it’s not as daunting as it sounds and you can start by making an application pretty easily online with your local council.
'Once you’ve done this, the next step is to have a building control officer over to inspect the work. All being well, you’ll receive a completion certification.'