What size stove do I need?

Flamecraft • 14 June 2019

What heating output (kW) do I need?

Generally, the bigger the stove, the bigger the heat output. The recommended heat output depends on the size of the room as well as other factors.

A basic guide for heat output needed for a room can be worked out using this simple formula;

The Width x Height x Depth of a room in metres, divided by 14.

However, factors such as the age of a house, level of insulation, number of windows, size of fireplace & individual needs can affect this. Therefore, we strongly advise to have a site survey carried out by our in-house HETAS engineer who will be able to offer professional advice on what would best suit your needs.

I have an average sized room with a large fireplace and I don’t want my stove to look too small, what can I do?

This is actually something we hear quite often, and we completely understand.

Most of our customers usually require stoves around the 5kW mark, which can range from compact stoves designed for cosy living to slimline models designed fit into shallower fireplaces. These slimline models are not as deep as their standard counterparts but are wider, meaning they are a perfect solution for those who are worried their stove might get ‘lost’ in their large fireplace opening.

We also have slimline ranges for approximately 8kW and a low output Inglenook by Hunter which is purpose built for larger fireplaces.

Cast Iron or steel stove?

As with many things, there are advantages and disadvantages to both materials.


  • Cast Iron takes longer to heat up but will retain heat longer.
  • Steel will heat up quicker but cools down quicker.

Cast iron can crack & steel can warp. However this is usually caused by misuse of the stove, such as burning unapproved fuels or burning the stoves at extremely hot temperatures.

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December Opening Times

by Flamecraft • 3 December 2020
We all made it through second lockdown and are pleased to be open to the general public once more. We welcome customers to come visit us, but kindly ask they adhere to the government guidelines regarding social distancing. While we understand lockdown was frustrating, we are in a tier 3 area and therefore we also ask that our customers shop responsibly and only come into the showroom for essential purposes when possible. We are still able to take orders for stove spares over phone and email and in many cases out manufacturers will deliver these directly to our customers to help us to reduce the need for people to put themselves at risk of Covid-19. We know we sound like we are lecturing, however we want to ensure all our customers have a very happy and healthy Christmas. With all this in mind, we have reduced the hours the showroom will be open. We will review these regularly and open for longer if needed, we are also able to arrange appointments to visit the showroom at Baytree outside these hours, Our December opening hours are as follows: Monday: CLOSED (Pre-booked appointments available) Tuesday: CLOSED (Pre-booked appointments available) Wednesday: CLOSED (Pre-booked appointments available) Thursday: 10am - 2pm (Pre-booked appointments available till 5pm) Friday: 10am - 2pm (Pre-booked appointments available till 5pm) Saturday: 10am - 5pm Sunday: 10am - 4pm We kindly ask when pre-booking appointments Monday - Wednesday that customers give 24 hours notice and Pre-booked appointments are available between 10am - 5pm. On Thursdays and Fridays appointments can be pre-booked on the day before 1:30pm via calling 01406 373600. We are available via emailing flamecraftuk@aol.com outside our opening hours and will try to reply to customers as quickly as possible.

Call & Collect Available during Second Lockdown

by Flamecraft • 3 November 2020
With second lockdown looming many of our customers are concerned about being able to purchase fuel and spare parts during second lockdown. We completely understand this and whilst our showroom wont be open to the general public we are running a 'Call & Collect' service.

Introducing Saltfire & Ekol stoves!

by Flamecraft • 1 November 2020
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Our range of wood burners & multi fuel stoves is about to get bigger!

by Flamecraft • 16 October 2020
It is the season for hot chocolate, fluffy blankets, hot water bottles and curling up in front of a roaring fire. With the days getting sorter and the nights getting longer it means we are busy installing wood burning and multi fuel stoves in homes. Like for many this year has been challenging, and we have worked tirelessly to ensure our customers will still receive the best service possible from us. We also understand that with the challenges of the past year many of us we are looking for more affordable heating options for this winter. Over the summer we have had many discussions about the issues we are all facing, and we knew we wanted to do everything we could to ensure our customers can still enjoy owning a wood burner or multi fuel stove. On top of the challenges this year has brought us all we are also very aware that since the announcement of the incoming Ecodesign regulations more and more of our customers are coming to us looking for Ecodesign 2022 Approved wood burners and multi fuel stoves. While we had Ecodesign stoves available, we wanted to give our customers more options to choose from. So, we knew we had two targets: 1. Have wood burning and multi fuels stove options available for a range of different budgets. 2. Expand our range of Ecodesign Approved stoves. We went through many different ideas until we finally realised the solution was in front of us (literally in a pile of brochures we had from a trade show we visited last year). A manufacturer that had a huge range of Ecodesign 2022 approved wood burning and multi fuel stoves that meet our own guidelines for quality and design (as well as being manufactured in the UK), and to top that off offering a range of price points that would allow us to offer more affordable stoves. So of course we gave them a call.