I have a non-DEFRA stove but don’t know if it’s multi-fuel or wood-burning. How can I tell?

Look at the bottom of your stove. If there’s a removable ash pan or drawer and you can see metal grate bars above it, it’s multi-fuel. If the base is solid with no removable parts, it’s wood-burning only.

Can I continue using my non-DEFRA wood-burning stove with smokeless fuels?

No. Wood-burning stoves are designed specifically for wood and cannot effectively or safely burn smokeless fuels. Your options are conversion (if available), replacement, or alternative heating.

How do I know if conversion kits are available for my stove?

Contact your stove manufacturer with your model number and photos of identification plates. They can confirm availability and provide guidance on installation and final compliance.

What happens if I just continue burning wood in my non-DEFRA stove?

This would be non-compliant inside Cambridge’s Smoke Control Areas, and across the whole city once the citywide area is in force. The council’s approach focuses on education first, working with residents to understand requirements and find practical solutions.

Are conversion kits guaranteed to make my stove DEFRA compliant?

No. Conversion kits may improve emissions, but don’t automatically provide DEFRA exemption status. Always verify final compliance with the manufacturer and keep documentation.

Can I burn a mixture of wood and smokeless fuels in my multi-fuel stove?

While multi-fuel stoves can handle both fuel types, it’s better to use one type at a time for optimal performance. Different fuels have different burning characteristics and air requirements. Having a non-DEFRA stove doesn’t mean you can’t continue enjoying fires in Cambridge’s new Smoke Control Area. The key is choosing the right compliance path for your specific stove type and heating needs. Whether that’s switching to smokeless fuels, installing a conversion kit, or planning a replacement, there are viable options to keep you warm and compliant.

Non-DEFRA Stoves in Cambridge: What Are Your Options in a Smoke Control Area?

If your stove is not DEFRA approved, what you need to do depends on whether it is a multi-fuel stove or a wood-burning stove.

Non-DEFRA multi-fuel stove:
You can continue using it with suitable authorised fuel, provided the stove is designed to burn that fuel. You will not be able to burn wood once Smoke Control Area rules apply to your home.

Non-DEFRA wood-burning stove:
You cannot simply switch to smokeless fuel because the stove is designed to burn wood. Your options are to convert it if an appropriate conversion is available, replace it with a DEFRA-exempt stove, or remove it and return to an open fireplace using suitable authorised fuel.

Not sure whether your stove is DEFRA approved?
How to check if your stove is DEFRA approved →

CURRENT CAMBRIDGE POSITION

Cambridge currently has three existing Smoke Control Areas.

The council is progressing a new citywide Smoke Control Area, but it is not yet in force across the whole city.

If your home is outside the existing Smoke Control Areas, you do not need to change your stove yet because of the planned citywide area.

See the current Cambridge Smoke Control Area position →

In This Guide

What If I Have a Non-DEFRA Multi-Fuel Stove?
What If I Have a Non-DEFRA Wood-Burning Stove?
Can I Convert My Stove?
Frequently Asked Questions

What If I Have a Non-DEFRA Multi-Fuel Stove?

You do not necessarily need to replace it.

If your stove is designed to burn a suitable authorised fuel, you can continue using it with that fuel once Smoke Control Area rules apply.

You will need to stop burning wood.

So for most people with a non-DEFRA multi-fuel stove, the solution is simply:

Keep the stove → stop burning wood → use suitable authorised fuel.

Non-DEFRA multi-fuel stove guide showing to keep the stove, stop burning wood and use suitable authorised fuel

The fuel must still be suitable for your particular stove, so check the manufacturer’s instructions before changing fuel.

Check the official authorised fuels list →

Read our guide to authorised smokeless fuels →

What If I Have a Non-DEFRA Wood-Burning Stove?

This is different.

If your stove is wood-burning only, you cannot simply switch to smokeless fuel because the stove isn’t designed to burn it.

Once Smoke Control Area rules apply to your home, you therefore have three practical options:

1. Convert Your Existing Stove

Some stove models may have a manufacturer-approved conversion available that enables the appliance to qualify for an exemption.

This isn’t available for every stove.

Find the manufacturer and exact model, contact the manufacturer and ask whether an appropriate conversion exists.

If it does, confirm that the resulting appliance and configuration is covered by the official DEFRA exemption.

Check the official DEFRA exempt-appliance list →

2. Replace Your Stove

If your stove cannot be converted and you want to continue burning wood, you will need to replace it with a DEFRA-exempt stove approved for burning wood.

If you’re replacing the stove anyway, we would recommend considering a DEFRA-exempt multi-fuel stove.

That gives you the flexibility to burn suitable wood or suitable authorised fuel, rather than limiting you to one fuel type.

3. Return to an Open Fireplace

You could remove the stove and return the fireplace to an open fire.

You could still use the fireplace once Smoke Control Area rules apply, but you wouldn’t be able to burn ordinary logs.

Instead, you would need to use suitable authorised fuel.

See the rules for open fireplaces in Cambridge →

Non-DEFRA wood-burning stove options to convert, replace or return to an open fireplace in a Smoke Control Area

Can I Convert My Non-DEFRA Stove?

Possibly — it depends on the exact make and model.

Don’t assume that fitting a conversion kit automatically makes a stove DEFRA exempt.

Start with the stove manufacturer. Ask whether a conversion is available for your exact model and whether the resulting configuration is covered by a DEFRA exemption.

You can then verify the appliance against the official database:

Check the official DEFRA exempt-appliance list →

If there is no appropriate conversion available, a non-DEFRA wood-burning stove will need to be replaced or removed if you want to continue having fires once the Smoke Control Area rules apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a non-DEFRA stove in a Smoke Control Area?

Yes, in some circumstances. If it is a multi-fuel stove designed to burn suitable authorised fuel, you can continue using it with that fuel. If it is a wood-burning-only stove, you cannot continue burning wood unless the appliance is exempt.

Can I burn wood in a non-DEFRA stove in a Smoke Control Area?

No. Wood can only be burned in a Smoke Control Area in an appropriate exempt appliance approved to burn it.

Can I use smokeless fuel in a non-DEFRA multi-fuel stove?

Yes, provided it is an authorised fuel and your particular stove is designed to burn it.

Can I use smokeless fuel in a wood-burning stove?

No, not if the stove is designed only to burn wood. An authorised fuel isn’t automatically suitable for every appliance.

What are my options if I have a non-DEFRA wood-burning stove?

You have three options once Smoke Control Area rules apply: convert the stove if an appropriate approved conversion is available; replace it with a DEFRA-exempt stove; or remove it and return to an open fireplace using suitable authorised fuel.