Choosing the right Solid Fuel
Wed 4 Nov 2009
The Jeffery’s guide to choosing the right solid fuel this winter
Nowadays not only is there a wealth of choice in appliances to heat our home and for controlled cooking but also a myriad of solid fuels to power them.
As the weather becomes colder, Jeffery’s have drawn up a guide to help you get the best out of today’s fuels for maximum efficiency, economy and comfort.
Open Fires
If you don’t live in a Smoke Control Area, House Coal is traditional and perfect. Available in varied sizes, the ‘A’ or ‘1’ grade is the best quality. Wood and logs can also be burnt, preferably using seasoned product with low resin content and no coating.
Smokeless fuels provide good, consistent performance and are clean and easy to use. Brands include Blaze, Homefire and Homefire Ovals, each offering slightly different characteristics – advice is available as to the best choice for your fire.
Room Heaters, Stoves and Freestanding Boilers (excluding gravity feed)
Anthracites are widely available with the larger size preferred for room heaters and freestanding boilers. It is recommended to buy the best grade possible. Smokeless fuels can also be selected with Pure Heat being particularly suitable for boilers. Brands such as Maxibrite, Blaze or Pure Heat work well in room heaters.
Today, many stoves are ‘multi-fuel’ and can burn either wood or solid fuel, the latter including coal and smokeless fuels dependent on the area. It is important to check manufacturer recommendations for specific fuel types and to select good quality, approved smokeless fuels such as Blaze, Homefire, Homefire Ovals or Maxibrite together with dry, seasoned wood to maximise stove performance.
Cookers and Agas
Dependent on your type of cooker, a wide variety of smokeless fuels can be burnt together with Anthracites, large nuts being particularly efficient. Typical smokeless fuels to provide good performance, a dense fire bed and minimum waste would be ovoids like Maxibrite and Pure Heat.
Solid fuels are usually available in sealed, pre-packed bags and multi-pack sizes.
Jeffery’s, an Approved Coal Merchant, can provide advice and information plus offer free delivery in most areas of Devon.
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