Both fuels have their advantages:

Smokeless fuel can be burned in Smoke Control Areas, requires less re-fuelling, gives more heat per Kg and can reliably be expected to burn over-night. However, the task of lighting it is time-consuming and the chore of emptying the ashes daily and cleaning out the firebox before the fire can be lit tends to result in the stove being used only when it is really necessary. Additionally, smokeless fuel is dirty to handle and it is difficult to avoid getting covered in black coal-dust.

Wood, on the other hand, lights easily, burns it's own ash - doesn't need the ashpan emptying and is clean to handle. Wood needs more re-fuelling and, usually, doesn't burn overnight in modern stoves. Dry wood, once up to optimum temperature, emits no smoke but is not approved for burning in Smoke Control Areas - except in the growing class of Defra Approved Woodburning Stoves.

Availability for both types of fuel is excellent. Contrary to popular opinion, wood is at least as easily obtained as smokeless fuel. The excellent website www.logpile.co.uk identifies local dealers, listing the types of fuel they supply.

We, like most stove specialists, sell handy, kiln-dried logs either by the individual sack from the showroom or by the pallet-load direct to your door.