Multi-fuel vs Wood Only (and "Hybrids") when just burning wood...

[Oxbow16]

Hi

 

Sorry to return so soon with another wood stove question... This time it's about multi-fuel (MF) vs wood only (WO) stoves. From the reading I've done, there seems to be mixed opinions on whether a WO stove performs better than a MF stove, when burning wood only.

 

Open Grate. One of our shortlist stoves is the ACR Earlswood III and Astwood II. Both are MF and have grates with permanently open slots. See:

 

 

 

 

 

The stoves tick a lot of boxes for us, but the grate puts us off. The manufacturer has said that it won't affect performance, so long as there's a good bed of ashes. But logic and the opinions of some on the net would perhaps suggest otherwise.

 

 

"Hybrid". I used the term "Hybrid" in the title to refer to stoves like the Clearviews and Woodwarm Fireviews (others too I'm sure), which have riddling grates which can be put into a closed position and provide a flat bed. But there's still gaps between the bars so it's not a truly solid bed. And whilst the primary air can be closed (at least I know it can on the Woodwarm), I'm not sure if that totally prevents air getting through. A Woodwarm Fireview Eco is a contender.

 

Wood Only. Another contender is the Dik Geurts Ivar 5. True wood only burner with vermiculite bricks on the bottom.

 

Any thoughts on the three types and how relevant or important the grate/base situation is for wood only, would be most appreciated. And just to add, I've read that a bonus of the MF and Hybrids is that the Primary Air coming in beneath the grate can be very helpful getting the fire going. Yet on the other hand, a WO without the grate and ashpan means a larger firebox.

 

Over to you guys!

 

Many thanks

Edited August 6, 2023 by Oxbow16

[ProDave]

Where does the ash go with a solid bed?

 

Our (Mendip Stoves Churchill 5) has an open grate, never a problem burning wood, you just riddle a little through to the ash pan and leave plenty to build the fire on.

[saveasteading]

With a grille it is easier to get kindling going.

 Also it lets ash through to the pan with a bit of encouragement. Theoretically you can keep the fire going.

 

But wood needs to sit on ash to retain heat and keep it burning hot. So either needs a bed of ash or have no grate.

 

The perfect scenario would be enough kindling to cover and seal the grille with ash.

 

For coal, the grille is essential.

 

With a solud base, the fire needs to ve fully out, and ash is shovelled out to a container.. metal just in case.

. 

[George]

With the old multi-fuel stove I never found it difficult to maintain a thick layer of ash.

 

I've gone for a (ecodesign) multi-fuel to replace it but never intend to use it for coal.