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

Q: 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. Strong performance: Many customers choose smokeless fuel for longer burn times and reliable background heat. Ready to Burn options: Many manufactured smokeless fuels are sold as Ready to Burn and carry an MSF certification number.

Choosing the right smokeless fuel — often searched for as smokeless coal — can make a big difference to how your stove or open fire performs. The best option for you depends on your appliance, the type of heat you want, how long you need the fire to last, and whether you are prioritising low ash, strong heat or best value.

In this guide, we compare five popular Ready to Burn smokeless fuels in our range — Oxbow Excel, Oxbow Newheat, Burnwell Blend Plus, Glo Therm and Oxbow Red — so you can choose the right one with confidence and go straight to the right product.

Ready to buy? Browse all our Ready to Burn smokeless fuels available in half pallets and full pallets.

Reviewed by The Dawsons Fuels Technical Team – 13.03.26

Quick pick: choose the right smokeless fuel

Best all-rounder — Oxbow Excel

A dependable all-round choice for many multi-fuel stoves and open fires, offering a strong balance of heat output, burn time and low ash.

Buy Oxbow Excel half pallet
Buy Oxbow Excel full pallet

Best for overnight heat — Oxbow Newheat

A premium long-burning smokeless fuel with strong heat output and very low ash. A good choice when you want longer refuelling intervals and steady background heat.

Buy Oxbow Newheat half pallet
Buy Oxbow Newheat full pallet

Best for open fires — Burnwell Blend Plus

A reliable performer for open fires and multi-fuel stoves, giving steady heat and good overall versatility.

Buy Burnwell Blend Plus half pallet
Buy Burnwell Blend Plus full pallet

Best value heat — Glo Therm

A practical lower-cost option for customers who want good heat output at a more budget-friendly price point.

Buy Glo Therm half pallet
Buy Glo Therm full pallet

Not sure? Browse the full smokeless fuels range.

Why buy from Dawsons Fuels?

Ready to Burn smokeless fuels
Half pallets and full pallets available
Nationwide delivery shown at checkout
Family-run since 1895

What is smokeless fuel / smokeless coal?

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 is a popular choice for multi-fuel stoves and many open fires because it delivers 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.
Strong performance: Many customers choose smokeless fuel for longer burn times and reliable background heat.
Ready to Burn options: Many manufactured smokeless fuels are sold as Ready to Burn and carry an MSF certification number.

Shop: Smokeless Fuels
Delivery info: Delivery Information

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)

Compare our top smokeless fuels

Fuel	Best for	Burn profile	Ash	(MSF)	Shop
Oxbow Newheat	Overnight heat / maximum heat	Long	Very low	MSF0155	Half pallet Full pallet
Oxbow Excel	Best all-rounder	Medium–long	Very low	MSF0154	Half pallet Full pallet
Burnwell Blend Plus	Stoves & open fires	Long	Low	MSF0195	Half pallet Full pallet
Glo Therm	Value heating	Standard	Medium	MSF0255	Half pallet Full pallet
Oxbow Red	Economy / traditional feel	Standard	Higher	MSF0157	Half pallet Full pallet

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

Browse the full smokeless fuels range | See best sellers

Which smokeless fuel should I choose?

Choose Oxbow Excel if:

You want the safest all-round choice for dependable heat, good versatility and low ash across a wide range of uses.

Buy half pallet
Buy full pallet

Choose Oxbow Newheat if:

You want stronger heat and a longer burn, especially if you are looking to reduce refuelling and maintain more consistent background warmth.

Buy half pallet
Buy full pallet

Choose Burnwell Blend Plus if:

You mainly burn on an open fire, or you want a reliable option that performs well across both open fires and multi-fuel stoves.

Buy half pallet
Buy full pallet

Choose Glo Therm if:

You want good practical heat at a lower price point and are aiming for value as well as performance.

Buy half pallet
Buy full pallet

Choose Oxbow Red if:

You want an economy smokeless fuel with an easier-lighting, more traditional feel.

Buy half pallet
Buy full pallet

Factors to consider when choosing smokeless fuel

1) Your appliance type

Multi-fuel stove: Most smokeless fuels work well provided your stove is rated for multi-fuel use.

Open fire: Choose briquettes or ovoids that sit well on the grate and allow airflow underneath. We find Burnwell Blend Plus works particularly well on open fires.

Wood-only stove: Do not burn smokeless fuel unless the appliance manufacturer confirms multi-fuel compatibility.

2) Burn time and heat needs

Overnight / long burn: Choose a longer-burning fuel and establish a good hot bed before reducing the air controls.

Quick heat: Choose a fuel that lights easily and responds well 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, airflow can become restricted and performance may drop.

4) Value vs performance

Economy fuels can work well for shorter or more cost-conscious burn periods, while premium fuels often provide steadier heat, lower ash and stronger overall performance.

5) Storage and handling

Keep bags dry and off the ground. Bringing a bag indoors 12–24 hours before use can help with lighting and overall combustion performance.

Smoke Control Areas & Ready to Burn

If you live in a Smoke Control Area, use an appropriate authorised fuel where required and follow local rules. Many manufactured smokeless fuels are sold as Ready to Burn and show an MSF certification number on the product page.

Practical tip: When comparing fuels, look for the MSF code on the product listing and choose an option that suits both your appliance and your heating needs.

How to light smokeless fuel

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

Open the air controls fully.
Light firelighters with dry kindling or a small amount of wood.
Build a hot ember base before adding smokeless fuel.
Add smokeless fuel gradually so you do not 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

What is the difference between smokeless fuel and house coal?

Smokeless fuel is a manufactured solid fuel designed to burn with far less visible smoke than traditional house coal. It is often chosen for steadier heat, cleaner handling and more consistent performance when used correctly.

Which smokeless fuel burns hottest?

Premium high-energy smokeless fuels are often chosen where customers want maximum heat output. If strong heat and longer burn are your priorities, a premium long-burning fuel such as Oxbow Newheat is often a sensible place to start.

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 or ovoids to support airflow and reduce the chance of smaller pieces falling through the grate.

How do you light smokeless fuel properly?

Start with firelighters and dry kindling or a small amount of wood, build a strong hot base, then add smokeless fuel gradually with plenty of airflow from below until it is fully established.

Is smokeless fuel better than logs?

It depends on what you want from the fire. Smokeless fuel is often chosen for longer-lasting, steadier background heat, while kiln-dried logs give a brighter flame and can heat a room quickly but often burn down faster.

Many customers use both: logs to get the fire going, then smokeless fuel for longer burn, where their appliance allows it.

Why does smokeless fuel sometimes smell during lighting?

A slight odour during lighting can be normal, but a strong or persistent smell may indicate poor airflow, weak draft, or an issue with the flue or chimney. Avoid smothering the fire and make sure the appliance is drawing properly.

Can I burn wood and smokeless fuel together?

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

Why buy smokeless fuel from Dawsons Fuels?

Ready to Burn smokeless fuels with MSF certification shown on product pages
Half pallets and full pallets available
Nationwide delivery shown at checkout
Family-run fuel merchant since 1895
Help available if you are unsure which fuel suits your appliance

Ready to choose your smokeless fuel?

Whether you want a dependable all-rounder, a longer-burning overnight fuel, or a practical option for open fires, we stock a range of Ready to Burn smokeless fuels in half pallets and full pallets.

Browse our full range of Ready to Burn smokeless fuels

Browse our full range of Kiln-Dried Logs & Firewood Logs

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Prefer local delivery near Sedbergh / Kendal? See our 30-mile delivery guide