Gas or wood-burning stoves, what is your preference?

Gas or wood-burning stoves, what is your preference?

Even though wood-burning stoves and multifuel stoves continue to grab the headlines we have also seen the emergence (or should that be re-emergence) of gas and electric stoves in recent times. There is a growing interest in gas stoves although many people are not quite sure about the pros and cons of gas stoves when compared to wood-burning stoves.

We have therefore put together a basic guide as to the pros and cons of gas and wood-burning stoves giving you some pointers and issues to think about.

The appearance

From a distance, it is difficult to notice the difference between a gas and a wood-burning stove. It is only when you get closer that you will realise the flames are different and the “inside decor” is different. A wood-burning stove creates a glow and the rustic feel of a burning wood which for many people epitomises the product.

The situation with a gas stove is different, there will be imitation logs and the flame will not be as intense and enticing. It really does come down to preference but wood-burning stove enthusiast would point towards the realistic rustic attractions of a wood-burning stove against the clinical appearance of a gas stove. In reality, there will be rooms which are more suitable for a gas stove as opposed to a wood-burning stove and vice versa.

Firing up the stove

We have seen great advances in technology in recent times but the process of lighting a wood-burning stove is still relatively slow and to some people cumbersome. Ensuring there is sufficient airflow, layers of different fuel and then waiting for the stove to fire up can take time. The reality is that humans have been doing this for thousands of years and the lighting process is part of the attraction of a wood-burning stove.

On the other hand, for those in a rush and looking for an instant heat, maybe a gas stove would be more preferable? The constant fuel piped into the machine, the ability to flick a switch and hey presto we have fire and we have heat. Whether the heat created by a gas stove creates the same ambience and environment as that originating from wood-burning stoves is debatable.

Room with a Hwam 3420C Wood Burning Stove

Access to fuel

There is a general consensus that 90% of UK households are now connected to the mains gas network. So, for many people there will be a real option as to whether they choose gas or wood as their fuel of choice. Even those who are not connected to the gas network still have the option to purchase stand-alone gas bottles which can be replaced fairly easily.

When looking at wood fuel, it is fair to say that the supply of wood in the UK is to all intents and purposes endless. As trees are cut down they are replaced which ensures longevity and assists with the environment. For some people it may come down to a point of cost, is there a ready supply of wood in your area and is it affordable?

The situation regarding access to gas and wood fuel is not as significant as it might have been years ago. It does give options to those looking to purchase a stove but there is also the cost of fuel to take into account. The cost of gas tends to fluctuate, gradually moving higher, to a greater extent than wood. This is surely an important factor for many people?

The smell of burning timber v gas

The vast majority of people who acquire wood-burning stoves do so because they like the ambience it creates which incorporates the smell of burning timber. There are some who would prefer the odourless gas available today, so in reality this comes down to a personal preference. Do you prefer the all-encompassing atmosphere and ambience created by a wood-burning stove, including the smell of burning timber? Or do you prefer the cold clinical heat of a gas fire without an attack on your sense of smell?

Vogue Midi T Wall Mounted Gas Stove

We are starting see patterns emerge, there are pros and cons with regards to wood and gas fuel therefore whichever stove you choose will literally be down to personal choice.

Maintenance of your stove

It is a no-brainer, gas stoves require little in the way of maintenance with nothing more energetic than an annual cleaning of your chimney. There is obviously a need to ensure that your machine is fully functional and where applicable replace parts due to wear and tear. However, compared to wood-burning stoves the maintenance element of owning a gas stove is near zero.

Now we turn to wood-burning stoves, the soot, ash and the general mess the burning process can create. It is obviously vital that all wood-burning stoves are cleaned on a regular basis, together with chimney sweeps, to maximise efficiency. For those unaccustomed to a wood-burning stove, even this maintenance process is part of the overall attraction. Whether it is the feel of being at one with nature, back thousands of years ago, the personal satisfaction of keeping your stove clean or maintaining efficiency. Whatever it is, for many people this is part of the overall process.

When it comes to wood-burning, gas or any other type of stove, safety is obviously important. All machines should have regular checks and it would do no harm to undertake annual chimney sweeps. So if you want a relatively low maintenance device then gas may be for you but if you want the full wood-burning stove experience, then maybe a wood burner should be your first consideration?

Personal preference, ambience and time

As we mentioned above, on numerous occasions, there are many pros and cons when looking at gas and wood-burning stoves. In reality it will come down to personal preference, the type of ambience and environment you’re looking for together with any time constraints you may have. Gas stoves are much quicker, require less maintenance but often seen as clinical by those looking for the deep seated heat created by wood-burning stoves.

On the flipside of the coin, you may want to live the whole wood-burning stove experience, that feeling of being back with nature, the deep seated heat and the relaxing ambience. There will be more maintenance work, more to-ing and fro-ing with logs for the fire, but there are definitely benefits. So, which would be your preference?