To have a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove you need a chimney or flue suitable for solid fuel or you need to have one built. Then the question is do you really want one? Everyone loves the idea of a real fire on the hearth. But and it’s a big BUT, will you use it?
Most wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves are hardly ever lit. One of our suppliers used to phone up every customer who had completed a warranty form after 2 years to see how they were getting on with their stove. A massive 80% said they only used it occasionally if at all.
At first, this seems shocking, but really it’s understandable. We all lead very busy lives. If we are home late or intend to go out we won’t light it. If it needs to be set up to burn and you don’t fancy getting mucky you won’t light it. If we don’t have any fuel in the house or the store is empty we can’t light it. In fact, we very quickly get into the habit of not using the Stove and heating the room another way.
If you are one of the people who might not actually light a wood-burning stove or a multi-fuel stove very often, then the gas stove was made for you.
It looks the same as wood burning stove, except perhaps cleaner. It can have a log or coal bed and you can switch it on and off at will. And you will use it and it won’t make a mess.
It can be fitted everywhere a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove can be fitted plus many more places. They can come balanced flued which means the can be flued through an outside wall, so you don’t even need a chimney.
So before you chose your ideal stove, give the above a bit of thought.