There is a bewildering range of stoves available but what is best for you not only depends on what is possible to fit into your home and satisfy any building regulations, but also how you intend to use it. A common question is whether cast iron is "better" than steel, but we have seen some poor quality stoves made from either material. Cast iron will take slightly longer to heat up and cool down, and soapstone or ceramic clad stoves store heat and diffuse it gently over a long period. Stoves can also radiate heat from all surfaces or convect it around the room, consider this option if you have a very long room, or wish to heat through to other rooms as they can be more comfortable to sit next to, but are also more expensive.

Mostly, but not always, quality is reflected in price. We give fully independent advice and supply and install from most leading manufacturers. We do not sub contract to external fitting teams or sell on a commission basis.

Stoves are available as wood only burners or multifuel, the main difference being that wood burns much hotter on a flat bed whereas smokeless fuel requires air to pass underneath it so a riddling grate is necessary. When burning wood, allow a bed of ash to build up, when burning smokeless fuel, empty the grate before each firing. Multifuel stoves have a switch to divert the air intake above or below the grate, depending on your fuel. Please note that if you wish to burn multifuels, you must have the corresponding liner installed as this is a different grade of stainless steel. See our installation page for more information.

It is essential that any wood used in your stove is properly dried and seasoned, this can be bought ready prepared or more rewardingly, sourced, split and seasoned yourself. Further information can be found on our logs page.

Like most manufacturers we do not recommend burning traditional house coal on your stove, this natural product varies widely, and we have known instances where it has become too hot or even exploded inside the stove, causing damage.

Manufacturers websites give formulas for calculating the heat output required for your room, use as a general guide only, as many other factors such as room insulation, windows and even the type of fuel you wish to burn will affect heat output. 

All stoves now have the facility of an airwash system which has increased the popularity of stoves with large glass doors to get an excellent view of the flames. However the way in which air is circulated also adds to the efficiency, and stoves can differ in the way they do this. The most efficient stoves have tertiary intake and are very often DEFRA approved for burning wood in smoke control areas. HETAS produce a list of approved stoves and efficiencies on their website, tested independently from stove manufacturers.

It is important to check if you are in a smoke controlled area, this was expanded to cover most of Oxford on 1 December 2024, you can check your address here uk-air.defra.gov.uk  If you are within this area an attractive range of DEFRA approved stoves are available.

The installation of a stove is governed by Building Regulations Document J for your safety. Many factors such as the hearth, surround, chimney and fireplace opening must comply with these regulations. In addition, quality manufacturers also supply their own instructions  as they have thoroughly tested their products for safety and efficiency.

If you decide to install your own stove please be aware that for the installation to be legal, you must notify your local authority building control department to have the installation inspected. As we are HETAS installers this is done automatically, also as chimney sweeps it is  in our interest that you are totally satisfied with your installation for many years to come.

All quality stoves come with detailed instructions for use, please read these carefully. An often overlooked point is that in the first couple of firings the paint finish will "cure" onto the stove, emitting an unpleasant odour. This will soon pass but meanwhile, ensure plenty of ventilation into the room.

We also recommend lighting small fires to start off with, this helps "season" the cast. This principle also applies to new grates used in an open fire. 

Stoves are fully adjustable but to get the most out of your stove ensure the firebox is hot before shutting down the air intake, and avoid long periods of slumber. The airwash systems work most efficiently when fully open, keeping your stove glass clean and flue clear of tar.

Stoves are incredibly reliable and maintenance free appliances, but some items are classed as consumables and will not be covered by the manufacturers warranty, such as stove glass and door seals. Glass (ceramic or mica) is very often broken by slamming the door shut on too large a log, but we supply replacements ready made or cut to order. Doors should be regularly checked to ensure the seal remains intact, any gaps will affect the fuel efficiency. Replacement stove rope (actually silicon rope) is available in our showroom sold by the metre in various thicknesses and is relatively easy to replace yourself. 

The performance and efficiency of your stove is intrinsically linked to your fuel and flue. Always burn dry logs and have the flue regularly swept. If your stove has a removable throat plate, check and if necessary, clear of debris once a month during the burning season when your stove is cold.

If you are unsure about any aspect of your new or inherited stove we are happy to service it for you.