Wood burner versus multifuel stove?

Multi fuel is better if you can get coal but I have not seen it! logs are cheap and we have had 3 log burners over the years in different houses Smokeless in Spain NO.

If the fire is not built in I would suggest getting an Eco fan they are amazing

caframo eco fan 812 or similar

Hi Willy

Thank you for that looks like a wood burner then.  Had a look at the fan very impressive but as I have a fireplace which currently has a gas fire need an inset fire so can’t have the fan Thanks again Ellie 

Forget coal. How long logs last in a wood burner depends on their density. I've just stocked up on 2000 kilos of the densest - encina - holm oak - in a range of sizes. Get the fire going and up to temperature, then bung on what I call a keeper - a log about 30 cm diameter - it will last a good couple of hours.

Thank you Jim never having had either I wasn’t sure which one was best.  

Coming over at the weekend hoping to source a stove then.  Any recommendations would be welcome.  Thanks again Ellie 

I don't know where Las Filipinas is, so can't recommend a supplier, but have a look at Leroy Merlin and BricoDepot. There are also specialist suppliers like Ambifuego at Los Montesinos and Ambience at Quesada:

http://www.ambifuego.net/en/

http://www.ambience.es/

Go for a cast-iron fire, not pressed steel.

If you can, get an installation where the flue pipe runs in a straight line without bends or, if bends are necessary, keep them at 45 degrees - right-angle bends can lead to a build-up of soot or other deposits.

I recommend a stainless steel flue, as this will last forever, whereas a cheaper steel pipe will rust away over a few years.

Don't be tempted to get a 'twirly' cowl for the flue. These spin round and improve venting and draw but the bearings don't last very long.

As part of the installation, I suggest having steel mesh wrapped around the cowl to prevent birds nesting in the flue and creating a blockage, and also to prevent birds falling down the flue.

Logs range from 9 to 16 cents a kilo, depending on which you buy. They all burn well, but I prefer encina as I only need four car loads to see me through the winter; for others I'd need five or six loads; however, if you have them delivered, then this needn't be a consideration.

Encina produces quite a bit of ash, whereas almond produces very little. Frutal is quite good - this is mixed fruit wood - apricot, peach etc. Lemon is OK but is often only available in fairly small sizes. Olive is popular but, on our fire, causes deposits on the door glass which are difficult to remove.

I keep a few hundred kilos under cover and the rest in the garden. Even after rain, it dries out quite quickly and I've never yet been in the situation where I've had to try and burn wet logs.

On that topic, I recommend stocking up on logs in good time. If you buy from January onward, you may be buying logs that have just been cut and are full of sap.

When driving around, I'm always on the lookout for old pallets etc from which to make kindling.

Don't be too fussed about cleaning the fire every morning. I remove enough ash to enable air to get through the grate, but leave a good bed of it around the fire to increase the mass of material which stores heat.

When we originally used olive, I had to clean the glass every morning, otherwise the deposits built up to the point where I had to use a scraper. Some fires try to avoid this by creating an air curtain up the inside of the glass, but ours is an old one without this feature. Burning other woods, I found out that cleaning it once a week is as easy as cleaning it daily.

It may sound like a lot of work, but it's really only a few minutes a day. A good fire will pump out a lot of heat, provides a good focal point, and is often more interesting to watch than the TV.

Thank you Jim.  El Galan is Villamartin area.  I have scanned through your reply before I go off to work but need more time to digest it all.  Very comprehensive thank you again Ellie

Hi Jim

Said I would reply once I had digested your email & had a little more time.  Thank you, I have arranged for both suppliers, you recommended, to come on Monday.  Love this forum just think if it wasn’t here all that combined knowledge would be lost.  Will keep you updated on how I get on & thank you again, invaluable advice Ellie

Thank you, Ellie, your feedback is very welcome.

If you do report how you get on, that will help others, either now or later.

I think you will find that ambiance is cheaper but don't seem to offer cast iron stoves and remember you usually pay for what you get!  If you can get a wood burner with a side fill if it fits you situation we have found them better having had several different types over the years.