The Pros and Cons of Wood Burning, Multi Fuel, Gas and Electric Stoves and Fires

WOOD BURNING AND MULTI FUEL STOVES & FIRES

PROS:

• They are the 'real thing'. Visually superior, crackling sounds and associated ambience
• Can provide heating during power cuts
• Low running costs for those with a free or cheap source of wood
• Lower carbon emissions on balance

CONS:

• Expensive to run, particularly if buying only kiln dried logs
• Inconveniant next to gas or electric as you have to fetch fuel, light and clean the fire
• Increased amount of dust in the house
• Storage space is required for fuel
• Stoves that only burn wood don't tend to stay alight long. This is negated with a multi fuel stove burning just solid fuel or a mixture of both solid fuel and wood. Read our article Choosing Between A Wood Burner or a Multi Fuel Stove for further information
• Increased fire risk as although unlikely and virtually impossible with correct use, embers could potentially cause fire
• High particle emissions

GAS STOVES & FIRES

PROS:

• Conveniant instant heat
• Great controllability
• Can be installed virtually anywhere due to balanced flue options
• Significantly less particle emissions
• Efficient
• Can be lit during a power cut in most cases

CONS:

• Initial installation can be expensive especially if gas needs to be routed to the fireplace
• Can be expensive to run if using bottled gas
• A gas stove generally costs more to buy than a wood burning or multi fuel stove
• Non renewable fuel source

ELECTRIC STOVES & FIRES

PROS:

• Easy installation, in most cases it's as complicated as plugging it in!
• 100% Efficiency, no chimney in which to lose heat
• Can be installed virtually anywhere
• No emissions
• Easy to us, simply switch it on 
• Can be taken with you if moving house
• Cool to the tough whilst operating

CONS:

• Poor heat output, most are no more than 2kw
• Noisy in operation due to the fan
• Can smell if dust gets into the heater, much like electric bathroom heaters of old
• No real flame, although effects are getting better it doesn't compare to that of a gas or solid fuel fire
• Unable to use during a pwer cut

 Article written by Ryan Brocklehurst