WHICH FIRE OR STOVE suits me? Choosing your fire in 5 steps

It is not easy to choose a stove or fire. Will you go for a woodburning stove, gas fire or electric fire? Personal taste, budget and convenience play important roles. You also want to know whether the stove or fire fits your home and whether the purchase is a responsible investment. In this blog we will provide answers to all these questions.

After going through these 5 steps, you will know which stove or fireplace is best for you:

  1. What is the difference between a fire and a stove?
  2. What is your taste, budget, and expectation?
  3. Will your fireplace comply with the latest guidelines?
  4. Will a fire or stove fit in my home?
  5. I want to buy a stove or fire, what comes next?

Sometimes it is more informative to see a stove or fire in real life, together with a specialist who can answer all your questions. Make an appointment with a dealer in your area to see the available choice.

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1. What is the difference between a fire and a stove?

The terms 'fire' and 'stove' are often used interchangeably, although they sometimes mean the same thing. But what is the difference? If you know this, you will continue your search for one of the two in a more informed way.


The difference is mainly in the functionality:
  • With a fire, visual appeal comes first, and warmth comes second.
  • With a stove, warmth comes first, and visual appeal comes second.

In addition to the difference in functionality, a fire is generally referred to as a built-in appliance and a stove as a freestanding appliance.


Differences in efficiency

In recent years the differences in efficiency between gas fires and gas stoves, and wood fires and wood burning stoves, has become increasingly smaller. This means there is hardly any difference in performance between our DRU woodburning fires and woodburning stoves. Our gas stoves and wood stoves have a beautiful fire view which, in addition to warmth, also adds atmosphere to your living space.
 

All our stoves comply with the Ecodesign 2022 directive. This means that the combustion is efficient and clean. With an open fire this is different; a lot of heat is lost directly through the chimney. The temperature of the fire does not get very high, with the result that the wood is not burned optimally and a lot of fine dust is released, about 50 times more than from a closed combustion fire or stove.

2. What is your taste, budget and expectation?

Your choice largely depends on your taste, budget, and requirements:


What is your taste?

There is no accounting for taste. To discover your preference, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you like the look, sound, and smell of real burning wood? Then your choice should be a woodburning stove.
  • Or are you more into sleek, modern designs, with a fire that you can control at the touch of a button? Then perhaps a gas or electric fire is a better choice. In short, decide which type suits your home and lifestyle.


What is your budget?

The cost of a fire or stove depends partly on the one-off purchase price and partly on the monthly running costs. The difference in purchase price depends on the quality of the appliance and the cost of installation:

  • Are you opting for a freestanding stove? In which case the installation will probably be simple.
  • Do you want a built-in fire or stove? This requires a more complex operation, usually involving the construction of a false chimneybreast sometimes incorporating an integral TV above the fire.

Not only do the purchase costs differ - so do the monthly running costs:

  • Can you chop your own wood? Then a wood-burning stove is for you.
  • Do you prefer a gas fire? Then you should know that the Eco Wave Flame, with its realistic fire effect, consumes less energy but still provides optimum warmth. Read all about the consumption and output of a gas fire or stove in our blog.

The amount you pay monthly is entirely dependent on energy consumption. Do you want a purely decorative fire or stove, or do you want it as a primary source of heat? The answer will determine your final choice.
 

How important to you is ease of use?

Everybody likes the look of real flames, but convenience is also an important factor. It takes longer and more effort to light a woodburning stove or fire than a gas or electric fire.

Gas and electric fires
With a gas or electric fire or stove, all you need is the touch of a button, and the flames will burn for as long as you want. You can also control the strength and height of the flames.

Going to bed? With one touch of a button, the fire is turned off. So, your fire or stove will perfectly align with your daily routine.

Woodburning stove
A wood stove takes more time and effort to light. You will need perfectly seasoned, dry wood, to light the fire yourself and to keep it burning. A wood stove is all about the experience. Gather and store the wood yourself, light it and keep adding logs to the fire. The time you spend on it is all part of the experience.


The difference in maintenance

Each type of stove requires different maintenance:

  • There is more to maintaining a wood stove. Besides the removal of the ashes, you will need to have the chimney swept by a qualified chimney sweep regularly.
  • An electric fire requires virtually no maintenance.
  • A gas fire needs little maintenance, but there may be a need to replace components occasionally.

3. Do fires and stoves still comply with environmental guidelines?

Is buying a fire or stove still a responsible investment now that we are slowly moving away from gas and emitting less nitrogen?


Gas fire

For now, natural gas is and remains an excellent choice for a fireplace: It is functional, efficient, and visually appealing. More on the benefits of a gas fire here

Would you still like the convenience of gas in a new build home? Then you can choose a clean variant of bottled gas such as propane or biogas. 


Wood burning

Our government has recently announced that there will be no ban on wood burning. Everyone can continue to enjoy a real woodburning fire. However, there are stricter requirements for harmful emissions. With the right appliance and installation by a qualified engineer you can easily meet these requirements.

Our wood stoves comply with all regulations. In addition, we keep a close eye on all new developments.


Electric fires

For an electric fire you only need a mains connection, no chimney or flue. You can locate it almost anywhere in the house where electricity is available, you do not have to follow any special guidelines. 

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4. Will a fire or stove fit in my home?

Good news! A fire or stove fits in almost any home. Depending on your situation you will discover what suits your home best.
  • Are you selecting a woodburning stove? Then you usually need a flue that goes straight up to the highest point of the roof.
  • Is your choice a gas fire? Then you will need a flue system as well as a gas supply. The flue does not have to be installed vertically, so you can often install the fire in many locations around the home.
  • Do you no longer have a main gas connection? If you want to be ready for the future, you can have your DRU or Global gas fire converted from natural gas to propane
  • With an electric fire it is not necessary to have a flue, so it’s a very practical option!

5. I want to buy a stove or fire, what comes next?

Are you keen to choose a fireplace for your home? Come to DRU Inspiration Shops for inspiration, advice, and a great selection. To decide on your purchase, you can visit your nearest DRU dealer

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