It's The Complete Guide To Defra Approved Multi Fuel What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A defra certified multi fuel stove is one that has passed the Defra smoke tests. They are also known as SE (smoke-exempt) stoves.

The government Defra department handles rules and regulations related to the environment, farming and rural issues. The Defra Test guarantees that you can burn wood, approved smokeless fuels like Anthracite Ovals, for instance, in a smoke-controlled area without disturbing your neighbours.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves are designed to emit a minimum amount of carbon dioxide, by making use of fuel efficiently and using sustainable materials. Eco-friendly stoves are typically made to burn wood or a combination of other approved fuels. A variety of eco-friendly log burners and multi fuel stoves are available with a range of styles from contemporary to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves even make use of dung (the excrement of domestic livestock) as a highly efficient and carbon neutral alternative to wood.

The most important thing you can do to ensure your stove is eco-friendly is to ensure that the fuel is properly seasoned or dried and kiln-fired. This reduces the moisture content and allows the wood to burn more efficiently, generating less smoke. It is also a great idea to only purchase wood from sustainable forests. Look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' logo when buying wood to ensure it has been dried to an appropriate level.

The majority of newer stoves are built to meet the strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require stove makers to create wood burning stoves that are energy efficient and with environmental protection in the back of their minds. Ecodesign stoves should be designed to take into consideration the environment, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. These are among the cleanest and eco-friendly stoves on the market today.


Replace the grill on your stove with a ceramic grates. This will make it more eco-friendly. Ceramic is not only aesthetically pleasing but also anti-smoking, and helps reduce the amount of sulphur oxide that is in the air. Ceramic grate liners are also easy to keep clean and have a longer lifespan than steel inserts for grates.

In a Smoke Control Area you can still enjoy a wood burner or multi-fuel stove, but it is crucial to use only fuels that have been approved by Defra. You could be in breach of the law if you do not. To avoid this, you should only make use of Defra approved fuels, like an amorphous smokeless oval, in your stove.

Clean Burning

A Defra approved multi fuel stove can be used in smoke-controlled areas when it is burning authorised smokeless fuel only. It could be a smokeless log, anthracite, or a manufactured or natural product. Stove manufacturers must also comply with the regulations in order to create a DEFRA exempt wood burner available for sale. Here at The Stove Yard we have an incredible selection of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves as well as multi fuel stoves from top brands like Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.

These types of Defra exempt stoves come with the most advanced combustion technology, designed to reduce emissions and the build-up of tar up in your chimney and flue system. The stoves utilize secondary and tertiary systems that ignite particulates, tar gasses and other pollutants before they go into the air. This is why Defra approved wood burning stoves are so much more clean than open fires and older generation stoves.

The design of a stove that is Defra-approved is different. Most of our models have an internal mechanism that allows for an intermittent flow of air to the fire even after the vents for air have been closed. This prevents soot and ash from getting sent up the chimney which can block your stove and can lead to dangerous chimney fires.

This is an essential feature for anyone living in a smoke-free area, the new Defra approved stoves do not allow you to shut the vents completely, and allow you to sleep your stove all night that could release combustibles that have been partially burned into the air.

A DEFRA-approved stove can have a longer burning time compared to older stoves that are not DEFRA-approved. However it is possible to replace your fuel of choice with smokeless coal to rest the stove for a night, this would also shorten the burn as the continuous supply of air required for slumbering will reduce the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Reduced Emissions

When used properly when it is properly used, a DEFRA exempt stove can create very low levels of emissions. These emissions are typically PM2.5 particles which, when inhaled, can lead to various health issues including heart conditions and lung illnesses.

The high efficiency of combustion of a DEFRA approved wood burner reduces the amount of harmful particles and pollutants released during the burning process. This helps reduce the impact of the process of burning on the environment.

As well as reducing harmful emissions, the efficiency of a stove reduces the cost of heating your home. Using the DEFRA approved wood burning stove over gas boilers of the conventional variety can help reduce your carbon footprint as well as save money on your energy costs.

If you live in an area where smoke is controlled, it's crucial that your stove be DEFRA Approved (or Smoke Exempt) as this will enable you to burn approved Defra Fuels such as manufactured smokeless ovals such as Anthracite or Homefire as well as dried wood and other approved fuels. This will allow you to enjoy your fireplace without worrying that nuisance smoke could be a nuisance to your neighbors.

Many stoves, in addition to being DEFRA-approved, are tested according to clearSkies requirements and are able to be labeled with the clearSkies label. The clearSkies mark is an independent scheme that requires stove makers to display information about their appliances efficiency and emissions, allowing consumers to make an informed choice. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, as well as type and size.

It's important to remember that, like with Ecodesign clearSkies regulations set minimum standards. Manufacturers may go above and beyond these. ESSE, for example has developed its new stoves to be more efficient and less polluting and produce less particulates, without compromising on performance or control. This latest advancement utilizes the patented twin catalytic combustion technique that recycles any smoke particles it creates drastically reducing their impact on the environment.

If you live in a smoke-controlled zone and are using a DEFRA Approved Stove with a high-quality, kiln-dried or seasoned log, you'll get the same amount of heat, or more than that, from the same amount of dry wood as if it were burned in an non DEFRA Approved Stove. In fact, it could be as much as 24 percent cheaper to heat your home using a the latest DEFRA Approved stove than conventional gas boilers.

Conforms to Building Regulations

If you live in an area that is under smoke control, it is important to choose a multi-fuel stove that is approved by DEFRA. These stoves have passed tests to ensure that they don't emit any smoke when burning authorised fuel, so they can be used in areas that are typically filled with buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a range of DEFRA approved log burners from the top brands including Mi-fires, Contura, Stovax, ACR, Broseley, Tiger, Cast Tec and more.

You can also safely burn peat, wood, and other solid fuels with a DEFRA-approved multi-fuel stove. You should be aware that some fuels are not permitted in Smoke Control Areas, so it's essential to familiarise yourself with local guidelines and restrictions.

A proper ventilation system is crucial to the safe operation of a multi fuel stove as this will help to reduce carbon monoxide accumulation in your home. DEFRA approved multi fuel stoves come with an integrated venting system that is able to automatically deliver enough air to the combustion process, so your home will be properly ventilated and safe to use.

DEFRA approved stoves also come with a minimum size of 550mm2, which means they can be used in conjunction with a standard dualwall system. Our range of flue liners can be used with DEFRA-approved stoves. You can make your fireplace meet the latest emission standards by choosing from our extensive range of.

When you are choosing a DEFRA approved stove Look for the DEFRA symbol on the packaging or in the manufacturer's information online. A lot of reputable stove retailers include this information on their websites as well as displays in stores to help you identify which stoves comply with the regulations.

It is important to work with an expert who is certified when you intend to install a multi-fuel fireplace. This will ensure that the installation is in compliance with the building codes. Infractions to the correct installation guidelines could result in a fine and damage to your property. We recommend using an HETAS certified installer to carry out the stove installation, since they will be familiar with the manufacturers guidelines and building regulations.