Love the idea of an outdoor woodburner but not the dust it’ll bring to your home? Then enjoy one in your garden instead! The perfect centrepiece for family and friends to huddle round, an outdoor stove can completely transform the way you use your outside space through autumn and winter, because it throws out so much more heat than a firepit or chiminea.
And whether you fancy a sleek glass cube that’ll sit centre stage on your patio, a panoramic firebox to sit up against a wall, or a simple portable stove that you can wheel out as and when needed, there’s a design to suit you and your plot.
Best outdoor woodburners at a glance
• Most versatile: Quaruba XL -View now on TheFirePlaceSuperstore
• Best for entertaining: Arada Outdoor Garden Stove - View now on Stoverareus
• Best for crowds: Chesneys Clean Burn XL: Outdoor Wood Burner - View now on Chesneys
Tempted? Check out these hot (sorry, not sorry!) new products…
Best outdoor woodburners
Flaming beauty
www.stovesareus.co.uk
With two angled glass doors, the firebox of this Corten steel woodburner is a pentagonal shape, meaning it can sit against a wall and still offer a 180° view of the fire inside. What’s more, the doors feature a powerful airwash system keeping them clear of soot. With low emissions, it’s DEFRA approved for use in smoke-controlled areas.
2.
Quaruba XL
Versatile design
www.thefireplacesuperstore.co.uk
With the choice of one, two, three or four glass sides, along with optional heat shields and concrete back plates, you can position this good-looker practically anywhere. There’s an optional wheeled base too, making it easy to move around. Made from 3mm Corten steel, it’s the perfect patio centrepiece.
Easy entertaining
www.stovesareus.co.uk
A real gamechanger, the design of this high-quality stove means it’s safe to use on wooden decking. It comes with an optional pizza stone and support that fits inside the fire chamber, and extendable side shelves for food prep are available as an extra too, turning it into the perfect party hub. Made from 4mm steel, it features vermiculite liner panels for a hotter and highly efficient burn, and a simple-to-operate airflow control to regulate the heat. A side-venting cap on the flue ensures smoke is drawn upwards and away from guests.
360 degree view
www.thetableguy.co.uk
This raised fire cube made from black powder-coated steel has four glass sides so everyone can marvel at the flames as well as bask in the heat. An extended chimney adds to the drama and keeps smoke well away from guests, and a nifty ash box located in the base of the support is easily removed and emptied.
Best for crowds
chesneys.co.uk
Measuring over a metre wide, everyone can get their fix of the flames through the panoramic glass window of this investment buy. Its price reflects the clever clean burn system, whereby smoke and emissions are low but heat output is high. Doors at both ends of the fire chamber and removable ashtrays make loading and cleaning quick and easy.
Smoke-free flames
www.flames.co.uk
Using advanced technology for a super-clean burn, this steel and cast-iron stove produces next-to-no-smoke, which also means that generously sized glass door panel will stay clean. It’s highly efficient too, using far fewer logs than a conventional burner while still emitting plenty of heat to keep you cosy. The base has wheels so it’s easy to move, and it’ll also burn charcoal.
Best for cooking
www.directstoves.com
Not just a stylish woodburner but a grill and hot plate too! This compact stove lets you rustle up a family brunch or a warming brew as the top has a grill plate that you can use as a barbecue, or close the lid to support a cast-iron skillet or kettle. Made from high-quality UK steel, it comes with detachable wheels so you can move it around with ease.
8.
Cosivista 120 Outdoor Gas Fireplace, Black
Fuelled by gas
With sleek lines and all the benefits of gas, this aluminium outdoor burner is pretty hard to resist. With a window front and back, it can sit centrestage on the patio, with ceramic logs and lava rocks creating a pretty realistic fire – or there’s an optional back plate if you want to position it up against a wall. Fuelled by a 5kg propane gas canister that’s neatly concealed in the cabinet below, it kicks out a generous 9kW of heat.
5 little extras worth buying
9.
Log carrier
www.carriercompany.co.uk
www.lightinthebox.com
www.lakeland.co.uk
Outdoor woodburner FAQs
Why should I buy an outdoor woodburner?
An outdoor stove is more costly than your average firepit or chiminea, but the advantages are huge. Much safer than an open fire if you have young children or pets to consider, they contain the flames and fuel within the firebox, secure behind a clear glass door, preventing any ash spills and flying sparks while still allowing everyone to enjoy the beauty of the dancing flames and to bask in the blissful heat.
The enclosed firebox also means that the heat is more easily controlled, and the fuel burns more efficiently, resulting in brighter flames, lower emissions and lower fuel costs. The heat lasts longer too, as it continues to radiate from the metal structure long after the fire has gone out. And extended flues, equipped with rain hoods and spark catchers, guide smoke up and away from guests and neighbours. And need we point out how stylish they are?!
What should I look out for?
Much of the price variation is directly linked to construction quality so it’s crucial to know exactly what you're paying for. It’s worth saying that indoor stoves aren’t suitable for outside use – the materials can’t cope with the elements and rapidly changing temperatures – so always look for a model specifically made for outdoor use.
The best materials are cast iron and steel as they’re hardwearing, weather-resistant and low-maintenance. Popular finishes for the latter include stainless steel, powder-coated (usually black) and Corten steel, each having their own style characteristics. Different gauges (thicknesses) of steel impact on the overall weight and often indicate the longevity of the product – both 3mm and 4mm steel are commonly used for high-end products, with sections joined and sealed with welded seams.
The larger the base of the firebox, the more heat is typically produced, but it’s worth recognising that they also require more fuel too. Some high-end outdoor stoves feature firebricks or vermiculite liners insulating the fire chamber, aiding efficient fuel combustion, so reducing smoke, conserving fuel and encouraging a longer steady burn – so this is a worthwhile extra.
Consider where you’ll position the stove as that may dictate how much glazing is desirable. Look at the airflow system too – most stoves have a simple sliding lever that regulates the airflow through a vent, which allows you to control the heat. It also helps to keep the glass clear and soot free. If you’re worried about scrupulously clean glass – or at risk of burning unseasoned wood, which creates more soot – go for a product with glass panels that can slide out to make cleaning a cinch.
Detachable chimneys and removable ash pans are other handy features, both making cleaning and general upkeep easier.
Where can I position it?
It’s best to check with the retailer or manufacturer where you can safely position a woodburner before fitting. But as a rule, it mustn’t stand near anything potentially flammable, so directly on decking, under a gazebo or right next to a fence or trellis.
With careful planning and professional installation, you can, in some instances, work around these features – concrete back plates and heat shields can be used to deflect the heat from combustible surfaces while ceramic tiles or stone flags can be used underneath the burner to protect timber decking. And there are stoves on the market specifically designed to be safe for use on decking. If you want to fit a stove in a gazebo or near a neighbouring property, then you may need a longer flue or chimney fitted, so do discuss in detail with the retailer.
Can I only burn wood?
Although often referred to as woodburners, most outdoor stoves can burn charcoal and most other fuels. First check whether you are in a designated smoke control area, as this limits which type of fuel can be used, and ensure your chosen stove meets any regulations.
Gas- or propane-fuelled stoves are fast becoming popular, often with ceramic logs and the gas canister concealed within the unit so they look like the real deal. Offering flames at the flick of a switch, easy to control, clean to use and needing less upkeep, they are hugely convenient but don’t have the natural appeal of a wood-fired stove.