This guide below works in conjunction with "How to light your solid fuel stove" video located in our Stovax.tv website. For further advice and information, please consult your local Stovax retailer.
Multi-fuel stoves can burn logs, smokeless fuels, and anthracite. Many Stovax stoves are multi-fuel and have the ability to burn solid fuels as well as wood. Your instruction manual can also inform you on the list of fuels approved for use in your multi-fuel stove and if you live in a Smoke Control Area, please visit the DEFRA website for a list of approved fuels.
There are many different ways to light your multi-fuel stove. This step-by-step guide will provide you with the right information on the best way to light and run your multi-fuel stove effectively and efficiently. This guide can be used in conjunction with our “How to light your solid fuel stove” video located in our Stovax.tv website. The instructions below will only apply to certain stove models; please note that all stove models may differ so please check if the relevant parts below are located in the same area of your stove.
How to light a multi-fuel stove for the first time
Homeowners lighting their multi-fuel stove for the first time need to be aware to operate the appliance at a low temperature for the first few days to settle the glues and allow paint to fully cure. During this time your multi-fuel stove may give off some unpleasant odours. Please ensure that you keep your room well ventilated to avoid a build-up of fumes. Your rope seals may discolour during use which is normal.
Open the Airwash and Primary Air Controls fully to ensure the fire gets the air supply it needs to establish properly. To show which direction to move the control from closed to open, there is an indicator at the top of many stoves. Most stoves will also have a secondary air control to greater the aid the combustion of unburnt gases which result in a cleaner, more efficient combustion particularly when burning wood. Many multi-fuel stoves will have this control factory set.
Open the door of your multi-fuel stove. Place fire lighters or paper amongst dry kindling wood on the grate along with a small amount of your solid fuel. This is important to create a stable base for the fire to establish. Kindling is very dry, small pieces of wood and twigs that will catch alight easily.
Once you have made the fire bed, you can then light the paper or firelighters. Wait for the flames to catch the kindling alight and start burning vigorously.
Once the solid fuel is burning well, you can start to add some more pieces of solid fuel to create a more stable firebed. For safety and efficiency reasons, do not load fuel above the log guard and the secondary combustion inlets at the back of the firebox. These are important features of your stove. The log guard protects you by burning the solid fuel inside the firebox and keeps them away from the glass whilst the air inlet holes circulate heated secondary air back into the burn chamber to reignite unburnt combustible gases creating a cleaner more efficient output.
To ensure you are burning fuel efficiently and gaining the maximum amount of heat from your multi-fuel stove: close the Airwash fully and control the burning rate to the desired level by adjusting the Primary Control. Shutting the control reduces the burn rate and lowers the heat output and opening the control increases the burn rate and raises the heat output. If the fire starts to struggle to burn, open the air controls until it has established again. If your appliance has an adjustable secondary air control close this fully when burning solid fuels.
You can check your instruction manual or speak to your Stovax retailer for more information and advice.
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