The History Of Defra Approved Log Burner In 10 Milestones Defra Approved Log Burner

The Defra approved log burner is among the most sought-after stoves for homeowners. This is due to the fact that they offer a cleaner burn and provide better control of heating costs.

They also permit you to legally burn wood in Smoke Control Areas which is an important benefit as it will not incur the penalties imposed against those who use stoves that are not approved. They are available in various styles to fit your home.

Clean Burn Technology


The clean burn technology found in log burners that are defra-approved helps to reduce the amount of smoke and particulate emitted during combustion. It has been proven to significantly reduce negative health effects of poor air quality in urban areas, specifically when a traditional fireplace or wood burning stove is being used. The city of Bergen for instance, realised the importance of taking effective measures to improve the quality of their air and, as a consequence, old non-cleanburn stoves are now banned in the city. The trade-in program was a great success. Bergen ranked fifth among the 320 European cities in 2021 for its air quality.

To achieve this, Defra-approved stoves have been designed to ensure that the fire has enough oxygen to ignite and burn fuel. This is achieved by having an additional or tertiary air intake that allows additional combustion air to flow into the appliance in addition to the main air intake. The typical secondary air intake is situated on the back of the stove, underneath or inside the stove's fire box and a tertiary air intake is located in the middle.

These modern, Defra exempt stoves have been through rigorous tests in order to legally burn wood in Smoke Control Areas. This is only possible when the stove is operated with wood that has been seasoned and dried at a temperature of less than 20 percent moisture.

A Defra approved stove has been tested to be able to emit no more than 3g of smoke per hour which is the legal limit for many UK cities and towns. If a stove emits excess emissions, the owner could be punished to the tune of PS300.

A Defra approved stove will be identified as it is on the product. It will also carry an Ecodesign mark, which was put into effect in 2022. To be Ecodesign compliant, stoves must undergo strict emissions tests and have a minimum efficiency rating of 72 percent. Choosing a stove with a higher efficiency rating will further help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the stove while also saving money on heating costs.

Suitable for Smoke Control Areas

The UK government has set strict emission limits for fireplaces and stoves. They are designed to keep the country a healthier and healthier place to live. Smoke Control Areas are found in numerous cities and towns, where the production dark smoke could be a source of irritation for residents. If you have an older wood-burning stove or open fire and live in a smoke control zone, it's important to upgrade your appliances to Defra Approved Log Burners.

They are greener than the traditional log burners and have the most advanced clean burning technology. Leading manufacturers such as Arada, Burley Parkray & Stovax continue to improve their products, and also create models that have secondary and tertiary systems that further reduce emissions. These advanced burners are more efficient than the ones they replace and could help you save money on fuel expenses in the long term.

DEFRA approved, or Defra exempt are terms that indicate the stove has passed a UK Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs test. This test assures that the stove is safe in smoke controlled areas. The term Defra Exempt is also applied to certain models that have passed the test and are able to burn approved smokeless fuels that are listed in a list published by Defra. These fuels do not include wood.

If you own an older stove that isn't DEFRA-approved and you use it in a controlled smoke area you could be fined for violating the law. Visit the official Defra site to check if you're in a smoke-controlled area. To avoid a fine, only burn dry seasoned wood and Defra approved smokeless fuels, not logs or other wet woods.

There is a wide range of DEFRA Approved log burners on the market and the Dovre product pages will show this logo if the model is suitable to be used in Smoke Control Areas. Visit the official Defra site to learn more about DEFRA-approved stoves, fireplaces, and fires.

Easy to Clean

Clean your log burner to ensure its efficiency. This will also help reduce the accumulation of harmful creosote that can cause chimney fires. Regular cleaning will ensure that the glass of your stove remains clear and clean so you can enjoy a stunning fire view without obstruction.

There are many tools you may need to aid in the care of your wood burner such as cleaning brushes as well as a ash vacuum cleaner, and stove polish. You should clean your stove when it is cool and wear a pair of heat-resistant gloves.

The first step is to clean any ash that has accumulated on the bottom of your stove with the grates brush, making sure you get into all the small spaces and nooks. Then, you can use your ash vacuum cleaner to remove any ashes that remain from the stove and dispose of them in a steel container. When your stove is clean, you can apply a stove polish using a soft cloth taking care not to touch the hot surface.

It is important to only burn high-quality, seasoned wood on your defra-approved log burner to ensure you're not generating high levels of particulates. Look for the Woodsure Ready to Burn Logo or use a moisture meter to make sure that the moisture content of the wood is below 20%. You can also season your own logs, but it can take as long as 2 years for the moisture content to evaporate.

Avoid burning stained, painted or chemically treated wood (including pallets, MDF, and Medium Density Fiberboard). These materials emit dangerous chemicals when they are burned, and should never be burned in a log stove.

It is crucial to set up your log burner correctly to maintain its efficiency and performance. Install it by a professional and in a well-ventilated area and free of drafts. Stoves that are installed incorrectly could cause damage, in addition to reducing its performance and increasing the cost of running.

Energy efficient

Defra approved log burners are typically more efficient in energy than the alternatives. www.fireplacesandstove.com is due to the fact that they have passed tests to ensure that the correct amount of air is supplied to the wood or multi fuel burning stove during combustion. This helps reduce the amount of smoke that is produced and, in turn, reduces emissions and heat loss from the stove.

If you buy a wood burner that is exempt from defra you can also be sure that it is going to be safe to use with your chimney as it has a flue size of 5" (150mm). Non-Defra-approved stoves typically have a bigger flue outlet and this can cause problems when trying to install the chimney liner. The Stove Yard offers a range 5" chimney liners that will fit your wood or multi-fuel exempted stove.

The Stove Yard sells a vast array of stoves that have been approved by Defra and include the latest clean burning technology. Many of our models have secondary and tertiary air intakes to help ensure that the fuel burns efficiently. This helps to improve the efficiency of the stove and reduces the amount of smoke that is produced.

Another benefit of the Defra approved log burner is that it permits you to legally use it in a Smoke Control Area. UK cities and large town are classified as Smoke Control Areas. To comply with the law you must use a DEFRA certified appliance for burning wood and smokeless coal.

You can also purchase a defra-approved stove that is certified by clearSkies in order to prove that it meets the latest Ecodesign emission standards that were put into effect in the last year. This is the best choice when you live in an area with Smoke Control. It makes your stove eco-friendly and also comply with the regulations. The ESSE 700 Vista, a elegant and efficient Defra Approved Log Burner, has the option to include a smoke control kit should you require it.