shaunywrx

Can anyone tell me the difference between a wood burner, and a multi fuel burner? I'm trying to find out which sort i have, and if it's safe to burn coal in a wood burner.

john_s

iTrader: (1)

I *think* the major difference if you want to burn coal is that you need a grate for the ash to fall through and allow airflow through.

If you're just burning wood, you don't need a grate.

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

That's right although our multi fuel burner has a fixed raised grate that you can open or close with a lever on the side depending on the fuel type (closed for wood, open for coal). Our old Esse multi fuel stove had a removable cast iron grate that we took out for burning wood.

What make and model is it?

nooobyscoooby

Coal needs air to pass through it so it needs clear airspace underneath it, hence a raised grate.

Wood does not - in fact it burns much better on a flat surface.

Coal and wood don't mix well as a result other than using a bit of kindling to get your coal fire going.

Can you identify the make and model of your fire to do a Google search?

fast bloke

You can burn coal in a wood burner, but it won't burn as well as it wood (pun) in a would burner (nother pun....top form tonight )

Does your stove have a solid base or a grate?


(p.s. - Careful what sort of wood you burn - I've burned everything in ours - wood, coal, antracite, smokless, essay nuts, stray dogs etc etc etc - Stuck two big lumps of well seasoned Eucalyptus on it the other night and the heat cracked a 40 mm granite hearth )

shaunywrx

Thanks for all your replys, i'm not sure what model it is, all it says on it is "villager", although it has a raised grate, so i'm guessing it will be fine to burn coal in it, i just did'nt want to risk burning the house down.

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Villager is the make Villager Stoves UK

Why do you want to burn coal as opposed to wood? Wood is sustainable, burns very cleanly and is fun You can gather it, chop it, store it, nurture it I love logs

You'll also need to check on your local council website whether you're in a smokeless zone

BOB.T

Just done a quick Google, is it any of these? Villager, discount prices online

Coal is guff anyway, plus it covers stuff in sh1te, ie my car when the woman on the end has her fire going whilst I'm polishing the car!

Leslie

She must have a tatty chimney then. I burn coal/wood and it never bothers my car when it is in the back yard.

Les

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Les, I don't think the lady in question ever has her chimney swept, the soot from it is awful.

That's another thing, get your chimney swept regularly to prevent soot build up and chimney fires, we have ours done every summer, it only costs about £30 and the chap that does it make no mess whatsoever. If you do burn wood burn only well seasoned dry hardwood as it burns nice and cleanly

Simon C

Not to mention spening a couple of hours with a splitting maul is very theraputic

The comp as a kid was to split the log and the chopping block in 1 swing. A techinque I perfected.