Two people sitting in chairs in front of a roaring fire

Open fire or stove? – How to heat your home in the winter

There's nothing quite like the sound of a crackling fire to keep you warm in the winter months. But it can be a minefield understanding the different types of fire available and the many ways to keep it burning during the cold nights.

Open Fire

If you're lucky enough to have an open fire, then you can choose which type of fuel you use – including coal, logs, or even a mixture of the two combined. Bear in mind that coal will produce more heat than logs and wood, and so this may be a good option for those very chilly wintery days. Open fires are often a more cost-effective option to a stove, but you will need to find a good chimney sweep to keep up with maintenance.

Stoves

The good news about stoves is they are incredibly versatile and can be fitted into either an existing fireplace or a stand-alone location. One essential cost to consider is a flue liner, which is needed upon installation. However, once the stove is installed they are cheaper to run than a real fire. With so many designs and styles to choose from, a stove can make a real statement in your home.

Let's talk logs

There are different kinds of logs to choose from so here's a quick round-up of what is available:

Kiln Dried Logs – These are ideal for wood burners, multi-fuel stoves, traditional pizza ovens, and chimineas, as they have a very long burn time at high temperatures. They also produce a wonderful real wood fire aroma that will add to the ambience in the room.

Softwood Logs – These are good for giving a lovely flame as well as the beautiful scent of a real fire. Our softwood logs come from responsibly managed woodland and can be used as an alternative, or to complement, house coal and other smokeless fuels.

Hardwood / Seasoned Logs – These are seasoned to reduce moisture content and give out lots of heat, making them perfect for the harsher winter days.

Heat Logs – Made from wood waste and are eco-friendly, heat logs are ideal for open fires, wood burners and multi-fuel stoves.

And last but not least, don't forget the kindling, the starting point for the perfect fire in London this winter.

Remember London Gases deliver throughout London and the surrounding area with free next day delivery on coal and log orders over £40. Deliveries are made straight to your log store.