Log burner or multi-fuel burner?

Apintplease

Depends on where you are sourcing your wood. If you aren't getting it free, its expensive, esp for properly seasoned wood

You also need a wood store

I have a multi fuel and we mostly use smokeless for the heat, half a bucket will last most the day, then if we want to keep the stove going later, we use logs, but then we are open plan and we do use the stove for warmth and not something pretty to look at

No too stoves work the same, the same model can work completely different in different houses so the only way to learn your stove is trial and error. Make sure the KW is right for the room you are using it for. Its better to go smaller and burn properly and have the room comfortable, then to over size and have the stove slumbering because the heat output is too much

Jeepers_Creepers

Are there any actual cons to choosing a multi-fuel version over wood-only? If not, then the choice seems obvious :-)

Ectophile

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Are there any actual cons to choosing a multi-fuel version over wood-only? If not, then the choice seems obvious :-)

Usually, the multi-fuel stove is more complicated and costs more.  But it seems not for the burner that the OP is looking at.

Mutton_Geoff

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Are there any actual cons to choosing a multi-fuel version over wood-only? If not, then the choice seems obvious :-)

The air inlet control on a multifuel throttles back more than on a pure wood burner. It is usually not possible to load up a wood burner and put it on low so it runs all night and you can quickly refuel and go in the morning as the lowest air setting (for wood alone) means it will all be gone in a few hours. A multifuel allows you to put some coal in as well, turn it right down and there are still embers burning next day from which you can quickly get it going again.

Jeepers_Creepers

Thanks Mutton and Ecto. In that case, I'd go 'multi' :-)

Davesnave

Or get a stove that comes with the option to convert to smokeless fuel if good log supplies prove difficult. We have a Woodwarm Phoenix like this. https://woodwarmstoves.co.uk/stoves/phoenix/phoenix-firegem-5kw

Not cheap, but perhaps available at a discount and made in the UK. Similar alternatives would be something like a Clearview Solution 400 or Chilli Penguin. Of course, you may get away with a cheaper import too, but we decided to go with something hardly anyone complains about. You only do it once.

Don't go over 5kW max output if it's going to be an occasional fire; in fact 4kW max is plenty.

13Kent

Thanks for all your comments I think we'll go for the multi fuel then we have a choice. 

Mickey666

Good decision.  You’ll be pleased with your choice when you get fed up with feeding the fire with logs every 30-40 minutes and can use some smokeless coal instead.  Smokeless coal is also cheaper than wood (assuming you’re buying your wood) on a per kWh heat output basis.

13Kent

It's being fitted as I write this... 

13Kent

Does anyone have their TV on the wall above the burner? They were going to put a concrete lintel in that would stick out but when they got into the fireplace it they found an original lintel so it would have been a big job to replace it but this means the wall is now flat. Should we leave it, put up a shelf or move the tv? Any thoughts?