Burn only seasoned timber with a moisture content of less than 20%. To ensure this allow cut wood to dry for 12 to 18 months. DO NOT BURN construction timber, painted, impregnated / treated wood, manufactured board products or pallet wood. Choosing fuel: All types of wood can be used as fuel in a log burner or multifuel stove. Different types of wood have different densities: the greater the density of the wood the greater the energy value. Oak, beech and birch have the highest value. If wood is too wet, it will be difficult to light, struggle to burn, give very little heat output and tar up the flue. This could lead to a chimney fire, so it is important to burn sufficiently dried firewood. Multifuel stoves can also burn anthracite or manufactured briquette smokeless fuels listed as suitable for use with closed heating appliances. Do not burn bituminous coal, ‘petro-coke’ or other petroleum-based fuels.

FAQs Archive - Fireplace Fitters

Q: Are wood burning stoves being banned?

No, wood burners are not going to be banned in the UK. New regulations did come into effect in 2022 that require all new stoves to meet certain environmental standards. Thanks to the new Ecodesign regulations, all DEFRA approved log burners and stoves are now environmentally friendly and are suitable to use even in Smokeless zones, providing you burn seasoned wood or smokeless fuel (more on this below). This means you can enjoy the many benefits of a wood burning stove without causing any harm to the environment.