Choosing The Right Solid Fuel

Solid fuel is defined as any solid material that can be burnt to release energy, such as heat and light, through the process of combustion. Humans have been using wood to produce fire for over 2 million years, with solid fuels being a staple in homes for centuries and predicted to be an energy source going forward. By using solid fuels in your home, you can take control of your heating and energy bills, whilst adding style and character to the home. In this article, we will be exploring the different kinds of solid fuels and their different strengths – making it easy for you to choose the right one!

Coal

Coal is a sedimentary rock, made of predominantly dead plant matter, which has been subject to intense pressure and heat over millions of years. Coal is the largest source for electrical production around the globe, due to its slow, stable release of energy that it consistently produces over a long period of time.

Coal is perfect for open fires, due to the predictability in its performance and impressive heat output. Coal ignites at a much higher temperature than other solid fuels, making your fire burn for a longer time than a wood-only fire. Additionally, you can now buy coal that produces less ash, reducing the ash residue left behind in your fireplace.

Smokeless Coal

A traditional fire may benefit from smokeless coal, which can be manufactured artificially, or occurs naturally as anthracite. Due to the clarity of the material (over 98% carbon), when burnt, it does not give off the same thick smoke normal coal would. Ever since the 1956 Clean Air Act, smokeless coal became increasingly popular in a bid to reduce air pollution, as it is more environmentally friendly, releasing 20% less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. We recommend using smokeless coal for open fires to reduce clean up and produce a more efficient fire, making it more cost-effective to buy.

Wood

Wood is a renewable source that can be cheaply produced, and is readily available in the natural world. If responsibly grown and replenished, wood is a good solid fuel for indoor and outdoor fires. Burning wood is carbon neutral, as carbon that is released during burning is reabsorbed by the newly-planted trees, making it part of the natural carbon cycle.

Our wood is eco-friendly, sourced from a responsible tree harvesting company and can be used in a variety of appliances in the home, including:

• Open fires
• Barbeques
• Stoves
• Kindling

Wood is available in a variety of forms, eg. pellets, logs, and chips, giving wood more flexibility when it comes to its uses. We recommend our highly popular ‘Eco-logs’ for an easy to light, no spark option!

Charcoal

Charcoal is a solid, black material, consisting largely of carbon. Its high heat and slow burn makes it the perfect fuel for a barbeque, or someone looking to maintain a long-lasting fire in the home. Many people use a mixture of charcoal and wood to fuel fires and barbeques, as the wood will provide the perfect smoky flavour to your meats.

Conclusion

Burning solid fuels can help save money on heating bills and add a personal, chic touch to your home. Gas and electricity bills are continuing to rise, with many people having little choice but to pay these high prices, whereas solid fuel maintains the same prices, increasing rarely and with inflation only.

We work hard to ensure we offer all the solid fuels you could need, as our extensive range of options cover all the bases when it comes to solid fuel. Whether you’re on the search for smokeless fuel or an environmentally-friendly option, our team can provide these products on a domestic and commercial level. To enquire further, please get in touch with us today!