Best Log Burner 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

An efficient and compact stove – perfect for small lounges.

We love this small yet well-built wood-burning stove from T G Outlet. Due to its size, it would be an ideal stove for someone with a small fireplace who wants to get plenty of heat into their living room. Made from traditional cast iron with a long lifespan, this little multi-fuel-burner has a nice finish and offers great value for money.

We think it would make the ideal first stove for someone looking for a more efficient alternative to a conventional fireplace. Even better, you can expect significantly reduced heating bills.

It’s multi-fuel, which means you can burn coal if you wish. It has a removable ash pan, making it much easier to empty and clean. The airflow control function means you can leave it to slowly burn overnight, to keep the house nice and warm for when you wake up in the morning. There is also an 80% efficiency level, which makes it a great investment in the long-term.

A nice little stove which can comfortably heat a small room. This model from Lincsfire is easy to clean and doesn’t require masses of wood to run, keeping costs down.

One log will last around 30 minutes, and smaller logs are the best fit if you don’t want to be chopping them all in half before use. Bear the dimensions in mind before you buy in bulk.

It will burn both wood and charcoal but not coal, which still gives you plenty of options, and the flue is sold separately but can be placed either top or back. This lets you have more freedom over positioning.

The stove gets quite hot on the top but not quite boiling point. Great if you want to keep a kettle warm without having the cooker running. Or, you can comfortably start the water off on the stove and give it a final blast on the hob, ready for your perfect cup of tea.

Dimensions are small enough to allow it to fit in a small fireplace cut out on a hearth. If you keep on top of the cleaning, it will make life easier, and the glass wipes clean once cool. We saw that the fastenings of the door worked loose after a little while with the opening and closing. But they are simple to tighten up again and this can be done periodically.

This is the perfect model if you want the traditional look yet a clean finish. And the good news is that it can be highly personalised, with colours to choose from such as cream, blue, forest green, pewter and bronze and the option to purchase additional stands and storage areas.

It burns with an efficiency rating of 78.30%, and is rated A for energy consumption, so you won’t have to keep restocking it too often. It also kicks out a nice amount of heat for the size, at 4.9 kW. This would make it ideal for any smaller spaces or as a feature stove. The selection also makes it the one of the best for colour choices by far.

You can purchase an optional multi fuel kit too, so you can use coal as well as wood if you wish. This makes it perfectly versatile. It is approved for use in smoke control zones, and comes with a huge ten year guarantee.

With a very generous 7kW heat output, this stove packs a punch, and you can really feel the heat. There is 76% heat efficiency, so it is cost effective to run as well.

It has the looks, too – a large viewing window really adds to the atmosphere, allowing you to view the flames and create a warm glow in the room. The powdered finish will keep it looking as good as new for a long time to come, with little chance it is going to rust or start to flake over time.

To keep it clean, a polish on the outer will get rid of any marks. There is a removable ash pan and glove included so you can stay on top of this. Airwash technology also keeps the inner as clean as possible, so you have that nice view for longer. If you burn the recommended fuels, it will keep emissions low.

You will need a brick or stone chimney pot rising out of the rooftop. But on a positive note, this means it can slot nicely into an already existing fireplace cutout if you’d like something that is a bit less energy consuming.

When considering the output and style, we think that the higher end price is entirely worthwhile and justifiable. It will be both effective and look great in larger rooms, and you will certainly feel the difference in the colder months.

Requiring a brick or stone chimney flue, this is a stove for anyone after a built-in model as opposed to freestanding. It is designed to be used with wood burning, but there is also the option to buy an additional solid fuel attachment.

It is a contemporary design, with a nice large glass front so you can see the flames as they burn. The heat efficiency level is 78%, which is great for an item which takes up so little space. It also has a heat output of 11kW, and if you like to have peace of mind, a safety cutout will prevent any dangerous accidents.

With crisp lines and a solid build, this is an ideal stove for both classic and modern settings. It is relatively compact, making it perfect for small to medium sized rooms.

The 7kW output will quickly heat up the space, and provides a great level of warmth on even the coldest of days. As it is DEFRA approved, it is suitable for use in smoke control zones.

There is an airwash system to keep it cleaner for longer, and the positioning of the flue is interchangeable between the back and rear. It also has an energy rating of A and Efficiency rating of 76.60%, meaning it is economical in the long term too.

If you are looking for something a little different, perhaps a stove in a red finish, then this is the one.

It is available in Anthracite, Cream or Red, but it is the latter version which we think really pops. It manages to strike that perfect balance between modern and classic, meaning it is going to be suitable for pretty much every living room setup.

The width is great, and it can accommodate 500mm Log Length, which is ideal if these are readily available and you want a bit less hassle. There are a couple of limitations, such as the flue being top only and it not being DEFRA approved, but there is no doubt that the style and quality is there.

And as a final note, the heat output is a huge 12kW – so even if you have a large, old farmhouse style living space, it should be heated up in no time.

A smaller version of its ancestor, the full-sized Herald, this compact option is ideal for smaller rooms which struggle to heat.

It still retains everything that made the Herald a favoured stove, too. Tripleburn technology will get the most out of your fuel, so it may be small but it is mighty as well. There is also the traditional charm design, and it is available to buy with plenty of extras such as single or double door choice and brass handles.

The brushed black finish is easy to keep stain and streak free, and there is also the option to have the flue either from the top of rear. The Hot Airwash system will also keep the glass nice and clean, so you can enjoy the flames for longer without having to wash it all out.

A stove which really kicks the heat out in medium rooms, this is a perfect stove if you want control over your heat output.

It can just tick over if you need a little boost, with the air vent system giving you the ability to close over the vents. This makes it perfect for all year round use, with little boosts in the spring and autumn and full power in winter.

The build is also great – it is strong and sturdy without being overpowering in terms of weight and size. It looks traditional, without being too dated so would look just as in place in a fully modern living space.

It does take a little while to get going because of the air vent possibility, but it isn’t painfully slow and is worth it for this ability. On top of this, there is a 79% output ability and interchangeable top and rear flue option. This doesn’t just make it affordable to run, but also flexible for any space.

If you need a little stove which gives out enough heat to save a few dials on the thermostat and mostly looks the deal, look no further.

It will fit nicely into any open alcove fireplace area. It can burn both wood and solid fuel so you can pick which suits your lifestyle. Whether it be wood, coal or peat, the flames are certainly able to make a statement. A 76% heat efficiency means little will be wasted, either.

The heat output isn’t the largest, so it is best for smaller areas or to offer a heating boost as opposed to warming up an entire large room. But it is a very stylish model which feels robust. The mid-range price is worth that little bit more for the build and overall look.

Great for kicking out a generous amount of heat while being very efficient, this stove is well worth the price.

It only uses around 25% of the fuel of an open fire, which will save you money and also reduce emissions. There is an 81% efficiency rating, too, so you’ll feel pretty much every single bit of warmth. A bag of wood goes a long way with it.

An air-wash system produces less ash and by-product than ordinary stoves, which means less cleaning for you. A brick or stone-build flue will be required, with a chimney pot which rises out of the roof, to get rid of the emissions.

Fitting and installation is best if done by a professional which comes at an extra cost, but we liked the little added touch of a free heat resistant glove and pot of touch up paint included in the purchase.