Smokeless Fuels Buying Guide: Best Smokeless Fuel for Multi-Fuel Stoves – Dawsons Fuels

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Reviewed by The Dawsons Fuels Technical Team 27.01.26.

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Best all-rounder → Oxbow Excel - 40 x 25kg bags or 20 x 25kg bags
Open fires → Burnwell Blend Plus - 40 x 25kg bags or 20 x 25kg bags
Overnight heat / long burn → Oxbow Newheat - 40 x 25kg bags or 20 x 25kg bags
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What is Smokeless Fuel?

Smokeless fuel is a manufactured solid fuel (often referred to as briquettes, ovoids or ovals) designed to burn with far less visible smoke than traditional house coal. It’s a popular choice for multi-fuel stoves and many open fires because it produces steady, controllable heat and is typically cleaner to store and handle than loose coal.

Why Choose Smokeless Fuel?

Cleaner burning: Designed to produce far less visible smoke than traditional house coal when used correctly.
Consistent heat: Many blends deliver steady, controllable heat for stoves and open fires.
Less mess: Often easier to handle than loose fuels, with many premium options producing lower ash.
Smoke Control Areas: In Smoke Control Areas you must use an authorised fuel (or an exempt appliance) and follow local rules. Many manufactured smokeless fuels are sold as Ready to Burn and carry an MSF certification number.

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How This Guide Will Help

This guide compares five popular choices in our range — Oxbow Newheat, Oxbow Excel, Burnwell Blend Plus, Glo Therm and Oxbow Red — so you can match the right fuel to your appliance, budget and heat needs.

Best Smokeless Fuel (Summary)

Best all-rounder: Oxbow Excel (MSF0154)
Best for overnight / long burn: Oxbow Newheat (MSF0155)
Best for stoves & open fires: Burnwell Blend Plus (MSF0195)
Best value heat: Glo Therm (MSF0255)
Best budget / “traditional feel”: Oxbow Red (MSF0157)

Comparing Our Top 5 Smokeless Fuels

Fuel	Best for	Burn profile	Ash	Ready to Burn (MSF)	Notes
Oxbow Newheat	Overnight / maximum heat	Long	Very low	MSF0155	Excellent for stoves; strong heat output.
Oxbow Excel	Best all-rounder	Medium–long	Very low	MSF0154	Versatile across stoves and open fires.
Burnwell Blend Plus	Stoves & open fires	Long	Low	MSF0195	Reliable performance for steady heat.
Glo Therm	Value heating	Standard	Medium	MSF0255	Good heat output at a lower price point.
Oxbow Red	Economy / “traditional feel”	Standard	Higher	MSF0157	Easy to light; popular alternative to house coal.

Tip: If you live in a Smoke Control Area, always follow local rules and ensure you’re using an appropriate appliance.

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Factors to Consider When Choosing

1) Your appliance type

Multi-fuel stove: Most smokeless fuels work well provided the stove is rated for multi-fuel use.
Open fire: Choose larger briquettes/ovoids that sit well on the grate and allow airflow underneath. We find the Burnwell Blend Plus works best on open fires.
Wood-only stove: Do not burn smokeless fuel unless your manufacturer confirms multi-fuel compatibility.

2) Burn time and heat needs

Overnight / long burn: Choose a long-burn fuel and run the stove correctly (establish a hot bed first).
Quick heat: Use a fuel that lights easily and responds quickly to airflow changes.

3) Ash level and maintenance

Lower-ash fuels help keep airflow clear through the grate and reduce how often you need to empty ash. If ash builds quickly, you may be restricting airflow and reducing efficiency.

4) Value vs performance

Economy blends can be great value for shorter burn periods, while premium fuels often provide steadier heat and cleaner performance. The “best value” is the fuel that matches your burn pattern and appliance.

5) Storage and handling

Keep bags dry and off the ground. Bringing a bag indoors 12–24 hours before use can make lighting easier and help maintain clean combustion.

Smoke Control Areas & Ready to Burn

If you live in a Smoke Control Area, you must use an authorised fuel (or an exempt appliance) and follow local rules. Many manufactured smokeless fuels are sold as Ready to Burn and show an MSF certification number (for example, MSF0154).

Practical tip: When you’re comparing fuels, look for the MSF code on the product listing and choose an authorised option that matches your appliance and heat needs.

How to Light Smokeless Fuel

Smokeless fuel needs strong airflow from below to establish properly. A simple method:

Open the air controls fully.
Light firelighters with dry kindling (or a small amount of wood) and build a hot ember base.
Add smokeless fuel gradually (don’t smother the fire).
Keep airflow high until the fuel is fully alight.
Once established, reduce the air in stages to maintain steady heat.

Read the full method here: How to Light Smokeless Fuel: A Masterclass for a Roaring Fire

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between smokeless fuel and traditional house coal?

The main difference is emissions and usability. Smokeless fuel is a manufactured solid fuel designed to burn with far less visible smoke than traditional house coal, with steadier heat output and cleaner handling. Many blends also produce less ash and offer strong energy density, giving you more consistent heat per kilogram when used correctly.

Smoke Control Areas: If you live in a Smoke Control Area, you must use an authorised fuel (or an exempt appliance) and follow local rules. Many manufactured smokeless fuels are sold as Ready to Burn and carry a certification/MSF number, making it easier to choose a compliant option.

Traditional house coal: In England, traditional house coal cannot be sold for domestic burning, which is why most households now switch to authorised smokeless fuels or other compliant alternatives.

Which smokeless fuel produces the most heat?

Heat output is best compared using calorific value (kJ/kg). In our range, premium briquettes designed for high energy density are typically among the hottest options. If you want maximum heat, choose a premium long-burn fuel and run the stove correctly with good airflow.

Can I use smokeless fuel on an open fire?

Yes, provided the fuel is suitable for open fires and you have a proper grate that allows airflow from underneath. Many people choose larger briquettes/ovoids to reduce the chance of pieces falling through the grate and to keep airflow consistent.

How do I light smokeless coal?

Unlike wood, smokeless fuel needs strong airflow from underneath to get started. Begin with firelighters and dry kindling (or a small amount of wood), build a hot ember base, then add smokeless fuel gradually and keep vents open until fully established.

Is smokeless fuel better than kiln-dried logs?

It depends on your goal. Smokeless fuel is often chosen for consistent, long-lasting background heat and can reduce refuelling. Kiln-dried logs give a brighter flame and can heat up a room quickly, but typically burn down faster.

Many customers use a “multi-fuel” approach: start the fire with logs for speed, then add smokeless fuel for longevity (if their appliance allows it).

Why does my smokeless fuel smell?

A slight odour can be normal during lighting, but a strong, persistent smell usually indicates poor airflow or weak draft. Check vents are open, avoid smothering the fire, and ensure the chimney/flue is clear and operating correctly.

If you ever suspect fumes indoors, ventilate immediately and investigate appliance and flue performance.

How long does a 25kg bag of smokeless coal last?

It varies by stove size, home insulation, outside temperature and burn pattern. As a rough guide, a 25kg bag used in a typical 5kW multi-fuel stove in the evenings may last around 5–7 days, with premium long-burn fuels often lasting longer under the same conditions.

Can I burn smokeless fuel and kiln-dried logs together?

Often yes, but only if your appliance manufacturer allows it. A common method is to establish the fire with kindling/logs, then add smokeless fuel once there’s a hot bed of embers. Avoid overloading and maintain airflow.

Conclusion

There isn’t a single “best” smokeless fuel for everyone — the right choice depends on your appliance type, how long you want the fire to burn, and whether you’re prioritising maximum heat, low ash, or best value.

If you live in a Smoke Control Area, the most important thing is to choose an authorised smokeless fuel (Ready to Burn MSF) where required and follow local rules.

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