Is there anything more relaxing than putting your feet up by the fire? The orange glow creates a perfect ambience, and the subtle heat makes us feel warm and fuzzy in a way we can't describe.
Log burners, also called wood-burning stoves, are a great way to bring warmth into your living space while keeping costs low. The homely feeling they bring is also unparalleled, so it's no surprise they've soared in popularity in the past few years.
There's a lot to think about when purchasing a log burner, such as the material, the burning efficiency not to mention whether you want a traditional or electric option.
We've rounded up the list of the best log burners out there, in terms of appearance, efficiency as well as overall ratings.
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The best log burners at a glance
Portway Arundel Ecodesign Ready Wood Burning Multifuel Stove
How to start a log burner?
The first step is to create a foundation for your fire to ignite. To build your foundation, you can use firelighters or paper (scrunched up newspaper will do), as well as kindling wood. Make sure to lay out the paper first and spread the kindling wood on top.
Next, load small pieces of log on top of your paper and kindling wood base, and use a lighter to light the paper. Make sure to keep the door slightly ajar, and wait for the kindling wood to alight.
Once the wood is alight, shut the door completely and leave for five minutes. After that, you can add smaller logs and close the door completely.
After about 10 to 15 minutes, feel free to add bigger log pieces and enjoy your fire for up to an hour.
Where to place a log burner?
If you already have a fireplace, then you can simply install your log burner into your existing chimney. This is especially easy with smaller log burners but might get tricky with larger stoves due to lack of space.
If you don't have a chimney - don't fret. It is still possible to place a log burner into your home by installing a wall flue system through the roof. For more details and information on how to do this, click here.
It goes without saying that if you opt for an electric log burner, you can place it anywhere. Simply find a spot close to a socket, plug it in and enjoy the fire.
Are log burners safe to use?
It's no secret that log burners can emit harmful pollutants that are hazardous to our health.
By avoiding wet wood and logs with high moisture content, you can reduce the pollutants by a high percentage, thereby reducing the hazard to your health. It's also important to opt for log burners that are CE certified, to ensure your stove meets the emission regulations.
By 2022, the EU has stated that only 'Ecodesign ready' stoves will be permitted for sale, as they meet higher efficiency and maximum emission levels. Find out more about the new regulations by Stove Industry Alliance.
What are the types of log burners?
Different types of log burners are currently available, but the type most suited to you will depend on your budget, how much space you have, as well as your own personal preferences.
Multi-fuel stove: Multifuel stoves are designed to burn a variety of fuels, giving you the option of burning wood, as well as coal, pellets and peat. This is great as it provides full flexibility to alternate and burn smoke-free fuel, as and when you please.
Convection stove: With convection stoves, the heat is distributed around the room equally, making it great for open-plan spaces.
Radiant stove: In contrast to convection stoves, radiant stoves will heat the most immediate areas, and the warmth will reduce in intensity as you move further away.
Electric stove: Electric log burners give a highly realistic 'real fire' atmosphere but without the need for any fuels, or a chimney flue system. At just the touch of a button, you'll be able to boost the heat and enjoy the LED fire effect. These are also the most eco-friendly and cost-effective options.
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Invite the comforting warmth of a log fire into your home with this high-quality, cast-iron constructed log burner. At 12KW you'll be getting a good amount of heat coming your way, and the air vent control system means you can enjoy lots of smoke-free warmth. The double door design is elegant, blending in with both contemporary and traditional home decors.
Verdict: A great option for large living areas, the Lincsfire log burner has fantastic output, with generous efficiency and an elegant design.
| Material: | Cast iron |
| Heat output: | 12kW |
| Efficiency: | 76% |
- Air vent control system
- CE certified
If you're working with a smaller living space, then this little stove will do the job just right. Easy to assemble and install, this log burner is high efficiency and provides much more heat than you'd expect for its modest size. The build quality is superb, and at such a low price, the affordability factor of this option cannot be overstated. In stock June 11 but available for pre-order now.
Verdict: If you're tight on space, it doesn't get much better than the Harmston log burner. Not only is this option great value for money, it also gives off a vast amount of heat and is super easy to install - it's a no-brainer.
| Material: | Cast iron |
| Heat output: | 5.5kW |
| Efficiency: | 80% |
- Burns logs or charcoal
- Airflow control for burning overnight
- Removable ashpan
- Minor assembly required
This little log burner packs a punch, with a fabulous heat output despite its small size. Logs will burn for approximately one hour, bringing a nice and toasty atmosphere to your home. The stove is well-constructed, easy to clean and a breeze to install - simply add the legs and you're good to go.
Verdict: Small, efficient and reliable, this is another favourite for small spaces that you simply can't go wrong with.
| Material: | Cast iron |
| Heat output: | 6.5kW |
| Efficiency: | 80% |
- CE certified
- Burns log or charcoal
- Airflow control for overnight
www.directstoves.com
Our next choice boasts a modern, streamlined design along with a host of green credentials adhering to newly introduced regulations. The efficiency is impressive at 82.5 per cent, and the great price point makes this log burner the perfect combination of cost-effectiveness with a charming design.
Verdict: Eco-friendly, cost-effective and beautifully designed, you can't go wrong with this option. The impressive 10-year warranty will also give you that extra smidge of confidence on purchase.
| Material: | Steel |
| Heat output: | 5kW |
| Efficiency: | 82.5% |
- DEFRA approved
- 10 year guarantee
- Ecodesign ready
- Primary and secondary air control
www.directstoves.com
Winner of best under 5KW stove back in 2016, this next option is the definition of a luxury log burner. New and improved, the latest contemporary Woodland stove is easy to use, extremely efficient and will suit a modern home perfectly.
Verdict: There's no doubt that this is a pricey option, but if you're after a high-end product that is durable, efficient and well-designed, look no further.
| Material: | Steel body, cast door |
| Heat output: | 5kW |
| Efficiency: | 81.1% |
- DEFRA approved
- Five year guarantee
- Large firebox
www.wayfair.co.uk
While this is not your traditional wood-burning stove per se, you can save yourself that extra cost by investing in an electric log burner. If you're feeling a little chilly, temperatures can be set to 900W or 1800W via the thermostatic control, bringing a lovely, comforting warmth into the immediate area. The stove features a realistic LED flame effect that will look and feel the same as a real fire, and the sleek yet traditional design is sure to blend right in to your home.
Verdict: As far as electric log burners go, this a solid option. You'll be getting the real fire feeling minus the high cost and extra hassle.
| Material: | Steel |
| Coverage: | 20sqm |
| Heat output: | 900kW - 1800kW |
- Electric fuel type
- No assembly required
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**Marina Avraam**is a Commercial Content Writer for WhatsTheBest, and also writes for Mother&Baby, Heat and Closer. She has a passion for psychology, reading and fashion writing.
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