Wood Burning and Multi Fuel Stoves That Are DEFRA Approved
The DEFRA approved stoves for wood burning and multi-fuel, also known as Defra Smoke Exempt stoves, have passed rigorous emissions tests. This means they can be used within UK cities and large towns that are classed as smoke control areas.
A stunning, contemporary-styled stove from ACR that is EcoDesign 2022 certified and has DEFRA approval that allows it to be used in a smoke controlled area.
Defra Approved
If you reside in an area that is a Smoke Control Area in the UK and you want to burn wood in your stove then you must have a DEFRA approved or Defra exempt appliance. DEFRA is the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and it is the government that prevents the release of smoke into cities and towns in areas that could pose a problem to residents. The appliances have passed rigorous testing to ensure that particulate emissions are drastically decreased, and are capable of passing the rigorous Defra smoke tests.
The Defra logo or DEFRA exemption logo is widely recognizable and widely used by industry. It is often printed or engraved on the stove, but sometimes, the text is written in the specification sheet. You will also find models that are DEFRA approved or DEFRA exempt. This means they are able to be used with solid and wood fuels.
A wood burning stove that has been endorsed by Defra has been subjected to extensive testing to determine the amount of particulate matter it creates. It will be able comply with the Clean Air Act if it has a minimum amount of combustion air to ensure that the fuel burns efficiently and does not produce too much fume. These stoves are typically more eco-friendly than non-Defra approved stoves and they can help you save money on your heating bills too.
Defra approve wood burning stoves are particularly beneficial for those who live in a Smoke Control Area of the UK. You could be fined a lot if you choose to use an non Defra approved wood burning stove in a Smoke Control Area. A stove that is approved by Defra is more friendly to neighbors, since it doesn't emit any noxious fumes. It will also keep your chimney and flue cleaner for longer.
A DEFRA approved wood burning stove may also permit you to legally install a 5kW stove with a stainless steel twin wall liner that is flexible (provided the manufacturer doesn't demand an increased diameter). This is a good option when you're looking to save money on the cost of a new chimney. It also is a great alternative when space is at a premium.
Defra Exempt
A DEFRA approved stove is an essential piece of equipment if you live in a smoke-free area. The stoves have gone through rigorous testing to ensure that they produce minimal emissions which reduces the amount of particulate matter (PM10) in your home.
DEFRA approved wood burning stoves have a 'Defra Approved' or 'DEFRA Exempt' logo on their specification. Stoves with this logo have been independently tested and meet the strict smoke control requirements.
It is not recommended to use dry wood with an Defra Exempt Stove in a Smoke Control Zone, as this will create unintentional smoke. It is not possible to use non-Defra-approved multi fuel stoves unless they are within a Smoke Control Area. This will also generate PM10 and could result in a substantial council fine.
Multi fuel stoves approved by Defra are designed to burn wood and smokeless coke without producing any nuisance smoke. This is achieved by using the most advanced combustion technology that does not hinder the flow of air into the fireplace, also referred to as slumbering. Stoves that go to sleep for too long can generate a lot of black smoke, which is bad for the chimney and stove.
A great example of a high quality Defra Exempt multi fuel stove is the Stovax Vogue small. The popular wood burning stove is extremely efficient, with a maximum heat output of 5kW and features an inbuilt log store base which makes it perfect for installation into larger fireplace openings.
Another DEFRA Approved multi wood burner that burns fuel is the ACR Earlswood LS. The Earlswood is another multi-fuel stove that has passed extensive tests to ensure it meets the stringent standards set by DEFRA for particulate emissions. It is therefore suitable to be used in smoke-free areas and is able to burn a wide range of wood and approved smokeless fuels.
The choice of an DEFRA Exempt multi fuel stove can be a cost effective option for a new chimney liner. Because they all have five" flue outlet this means that you can fit an 125mm diameter stainless steel twin wall flexible chimney liner rather than the standard 6" (150mm). This is especially beneficial when there isn't enough room to accommodate a larger liner. It can be beneficial if your chimney stack has a curly bend that make it difficult install the 6" chimney liner.
Smoke Control Areas
Many areas in the UK have been designated Smoke Control Areas. This means that if your property is equipped with an open fire or wood-burning stove, or fireplace, you can only burn fuels approved by the UK government. This law is designed to prevent nuisance smoke from neighbouring homes and to ensure the environment is maintained clean. However, it doesn't prohibit the use of solid fuel appliances and stoves when they meet certain requirements. DEFRA approved stoves (also called Defra-exempt stoves) are a great option when you reside in a smoking-free zone. They've been specifically tested and meet the requirements.
A Defra approved stove can burn all authorised fuels including wood without producing excessive smoke. To accomplish this, the combustion technology used in a Defra approved stove has been developed to limit how depleted the stove is of air during the combustion process. Normally this is achieved by using specially designed baffles in the stove which redirect airflow and stop it from leaving the stove.
The top DEFRA approved stoves will also have what is called"clean burn" feature which allows the combustion of combustibles with a part-burn such as soot and ash and lets them be released out of the chimney, rather than into the room. This prevents part-burnt combustibles from re-entering the stove and causing a build up which would ultimately cause black smoke.
If you fit a stove with Defra exemption It is crucial to burn only the specific types of fuels that are allowed in it since failure to do so could result in penalties under the Clean Air Act. This is especially true if you're burning damp wood or any other wet fuel that produces smoke that is noxious. Consult the manual of your stove or with your supplier to determine which fuels are permitted in your stove.
Gr8Fires offers a variety of DEFRA exempt stoves that can be used in smoke-controlled areas. For instance the Dimplex Langbrook is a stylish wood-burning stove that's Defra exempt and can be used with any of the authorised fuels. The model is available with a range of heat outputs and in a range finishes including a matte black finish.
Heat Output
If you see the Defra approved symbol on the stove, that means that it is safe to use in an area of smoke control when burning wood or other permissible fuels. The Defra approval process requires rigorous examination and testing to ensure that the stove meets the requirements of the Department of Environment for low emissions and high efficiency of combustion. These features will increase the efficiency of your stove in heating your home and will help you to reduce your carbon footprint.
There are many multi-fuel stoves that have been endorsed by Defra, ranging from small models that have 4kW to larger models with 5kW. The best model is determined by many factors, such as the dimensions of the room and the amount of heat needed. A stove that is too large for your room can cause excessive heating and cause fuel waste. When choosing a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove, it's essential to seek advice from a professional.

In addition to Defra approval, you should also look for a stove compliant with Ecodesign 2022 regulations. These regulations aim to increase the energy efficiency of appliances and reduce their environmental impact. Ecodesign 2022 stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently, resulting in less CO2 emissions as well as other harmful pollutants. They are also easier to clean as they produce less soot, tar and other pollutants.
defra stoves -approved multi fuel stoves come with air controls that can be adjusted to control how much fuel is burned. These stoves also come with a grate, ash pan and ash collector to ensure efficient combustion of smokeless coal. The ash pan collects ashes from the firebox and keeps them from interfering with the airflow to the combustion chamber.
A variety of multi-fuel stoves are available in a variety of colors and finishes. Bold hues like red and blue can add an impressive look to your home and metallic finishes can give your stove a sleek and contemporary feel. Multi-fuel stoves are available in a variety of sizes, meaning you can find the right one for your space.