What is a Defra Log Burner?

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) regulates the emissions of smoke from wood-burning stoves. They have regulations in place that prohibit chimney smoke in Smoke Control Areas except when using an exempt device and authorized fuel.

The new rules limit the amount of smoke a stove could emit to 3g an hour and homeowners face hefty on-the-spot fines for not complying. To avoid this you must use Defra approved log burners and only burn dry wood that has been kiln-dried and has the "Ready to Burn" label.

What is a Defra-approved stove?

A Defra approved stove is an appliance that has passed the DEFRA test and is therefore exempt from laws in smoke control areas to burn wood (and other fuels that are authorised). The Defra logo is well-known and has been embraced by the industry. Stoves that have been endorsed by Defra will often be marked with SE (Smoke-Exempt) as an easy and quick way to identify them.

Stoves that are Defra Approved are tested by the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to ensure that they comply with strict emission standards. These tests are designed to ensure that stoves offer maximum heat output while generating low levels of smoke emissions. These emissions are typically accomplished by ensuring that combustion gases are reburned in the secondary burning. This is crucial because it allows the combustion to continue in a controlled manner while reducing the amount combustibles released into the atmosphere.

DEFRA exempted stoves are more environmentally friendly as they reduce the amount of part-burned combustibles thrown down the chimney. Defra exempted stoves are not required to close their air vents during the night to sleep. They keep the flue open all the time, making them less likely to send partially burned burning combustibles down the chimney.

You can purchase a Defra-approved wood burning stove, regardless of whether you reside in a smoke-free area or not. It will make your neighbours happy and will keep your chimney in good condition for a longer time. Defra exempt wood burning stoves are available in a broad range of styles and designs, and there are plenty of options to fit traditional and modern homes.

The sleek, minimalist design is a key aspect when choosing a Defra-approved wood burning stove. These stoves are great for modern living spaces. They can be put in inside a fireplace chamber, inglenook, or be freestanding. There are many contemporary stoves like the Aarrow i400 or the minimal Farringdon that would look great in any room. You can also find stoves that are Defra-exempt in traditional styles like the Saxon A08E and Arizona A08E.

What is a Defra exempt stove?

A Defra approved or exempt stove is a stove that burns wood that has been tested and approved by the government's DEFRA Department to be placed in Smoke Control Areas. The Defra stoves are designed to create a minimum amount of smoke and harmful emissions while also generating the highest degree of heat for your house.

You will require a Defra approved stove if you are in a Smoke-Control Area. Otherwise you will not be legally able to install any wood burning stove or multi-fuel stove that hasn't been approved by DEFRA. You could be facing a hefty fine if you install a non-Defra approved stove in your home.