Buying guide
Can You Burn Coal and Wood Together?
Never in a wood-only stove: it has no grate, and HETAS says you can't put coal on a wood-burning stove. In a multi-fuel stove, advice differs. Burnright says don't mix smokeless fuel and wood because you won't get the best from either, while some stove makers, including Stovax, say a mix is acceptable. The safest approach is to burn one fuel at a time and follow your stove's manual.
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In this guide
Why do coal and wood burn differently?
HETAS explains that a wood stove has no grate at the bottom, because wood burns best on a bed of ash with air from above. A multi-fuel stove has a raised grate, so air can reach the fuel from underneath, and HETAS says manufactured smokeless fuels need that airflow from below to burn properly. A fire set up for one fuel isn't ideal for the other.
What do the experts say?
| Source | Advice |
|---|---|
| Burnright | Don't mix smokeless fuel and wood, as you won't get the best from either. |
| HETAS consumer leaflet | You can put wood on a multi-fuel stove, but you can't put coal on a wood-burning stove. |
| Stovax | A multi-fuel stove can run on a mixture of coal and wood. Only anthracite coals should be used in multi-fuel stoves. |
| Charnwood SLX20 manual | If burning a mix, keep the grate in the solid fuel position. HETAS approval doesn't cover mixed fuels. |
What should I do?
- Wood-only stove: burn dry wood only. Never add coal or smokeless fuel.
- Multi-fuel stove: check your manual. If it allows a mix, set the grate for solid fuel. If it doesn't say, burn one fuel at a time.
- Smoke control area: burn only what's allowed where you live. A stove that isn't exempt can burn authorised smokeless fuel but not wood. See can you burn wood in a smoke control area?.
- House coal: it can no longer be sold for homes. See is house coal banned?.
How do I switch a multi-fuel stove from wood to smokeless fuel?
- Let the wood fire burn down first.
- Set the stove for solid fuel as the manual says. On Charnwood's C-Four, for example, a blanking plate under the grate is fitted for wood and removed for smokeless fuel.
- Riddle the ash through the grate, then light the smokeless fuel with paper and dry kindling, with the primary air open.
Can mixing fuels harm my chimney?
Burning the wrong fuel for your stove can damage it, and flue liners come in different grades. If you plan to burn smokeless fuel as well as wood, ask your installer or chimney sweep whether your liner is suitable. Keep the chimney swept either way. See how often to sweep your chimney.
Questions
Can I put coal on my wood burner?
No. HETAS says you can't put coal on a wood-burning stove, as it needs air from below a grate.
Can I burn wood on an open fire with smokeless fuel?
Outside a smoke control area you can, but Burnright says you won't get the best from either fuel. Inside one, wood isn't allowed on an open fire.
Can I use kindling to light smokeless fuel?
Yes. Councils including York and Kirklees allow a little dry kindling to light an authorised fuel.
Will mixing fuels affect my stove's warranty?
It can. Charnwood says HETAS approval doesn't cover mixed fuels, so check your manual.
More in multi-fuel stove vs wood burner and our smokeless fuel guide.
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