Wood burning stove and multi-fuel stoves are almost the same. The main difference is that, while the wood burning stove is designed to burn wood only as a fuel, the multi-fuel stove is capable of burning coal, wood pellets, peat, or wood as a fuel.


If the stove has an ash tray underneath, then it is more likely to be a multi-fuel stove since the ash tray is made for the residues of coals and other kinds of fuel. If it doesn’t have an ash tray, then it is a wood burning stove because in the wood burning stove, woods are placed on the ash bed to burn. As you decide on what stove you want to install in your home, make sure that you are aware of this difference.


Wood Burning Stoves

A wood burning stove is a heating appliance capable of burning wood fuel and wood-derived biomass fuel, such as wood pellets. Generally the appliance consists of a solid metal (cast iron or steel) closed fire chamber, a fire brick base and an adjustable air control.


The appliance will be connected by ventilating stove pipes to a suitable chimney or flue, which will be filled with hot combustion gases once the fuel is ignited. The chimney or flue gases must be hotter than the outside temperature to ensure combustion gases are drawn out of the fire chamber and up the chimney. A wood burning stove is energy efficient, carbon neutral, clean, and looks great. Below are some of the advantages of a wood burning stove:

  • It costs less because you are using wood as your fuel.

  • Another is that it is more eco-system friendly because you reduce your CO2 emission when burning wood.

  • It brings warm, elegance, and sophistication to a room.

Multi-fuel Stove

A multi-fuel stove is very similar to a wood-burning stove in appearance and design. Multi-fuel refers to the capability of the stove to burn wood and also coal, wood pellets, or peat. Stoves that have a grate for the fire to burn on and a removable ash pan are generally considered multi-fuel stoves.


If the fire simply burns on a bed of ash, it is a wood-only fuelled appliance, and cannot be used for coal or peat. Multi-fuel stoves have been common in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and continental Europe since the 19th century. They are made either for cooking, heating, or both. They may double as a boiler, heating a tank of water for household use. With a boiler, the stove can also be connected to a radiator system to increase space heating in the home.

Below are some of the advantages of a multi-fuel stove:


  • It gives homeowners the flexibility in the type of heating fuel that they can use. It can save you money because you can use fuels which costs less on their peak season and others when they’re not.

  • It could be a selling feature to your home, adding more value your home.


A major consideration when building, renovating, or just living in a house is how it will be heated. Options include wood, heating oil, propane, natural gas, and electricity. Having a fireplace or stove in your house is very energy efficient way to heat your home and sitting in a room with your family in front of a flickering flame is the cosiest thing. It is also a very effective way to power your central heating system.


The two types of stove are the wood burning stove and the multi-fuel stove. The wood burning stove is a stove that burns, specifically, wood only while the multi-fuel stove can burn different fuels.'