Installing a MultiFuel Portway 2 from The Little Stove Shed

Author:  Jimmy Youson, Certified Chimney Sweep (with Titch, HETAS installer) 

Visit www.thelittlestoveshed.co.uk for stoves, accessories, and site surveys.

Safety and compliance

Always use a registered installer and obtain HETAS or equivalent certification. Building Regulations apply to fixed solid fuel appliances. Fit a BS‑standard carbon monoxide alarm in the room with the appliance.

Summary

We installed a Multifuel Portway 2 stove. This is what we did, why we chose the kit we did, and what homeowners should expect when having a stove installed. You’ll find the key decisions (stove choice, flue approach, hearth and clearances), the step‑by‑step installation flow, ventilation and safety essentials, and the handover items you should insist on receiving.

Short version: the Portway 2 is compact and flexible; like Titch who handled the roof and flue work while I swept and sorted the internal masonry.  We fabricated a suspension cowl for a square pot to carry the liner. Read on if you want sensible detail without the waffle.

Why fit a stove in a living room?

A small stove gives immediate, controllable heat and atmosphere. It’s ideal if you want a cosy corner, a reliable local heat source for occasional use, or simply the look and feel of a real fire without the expense of running central heating all day.

When it’s not the right choice:

• If the room will be the primary, continuously heated workspace, central heating may be more efficient. 

• If the building fabric is very poor (damp, rotten joists, or no insulation), fix that first     a stove won’t cure structural problems. 

• If you live in a smoke control area and plan to burn unapproved fuels, check DEFRA rules and pick a DEFRA‑exempt appliance.

What we fitted and why

Appliance:  Portway 2 multifuel stove. 

Fuel storage:  separate log store placed beside the stove

Why the Portway 2? It’s compact, easy to operate, and accepts both logs and smokeless fuels, which is useful if the homeowner wants flexibility. For a typical living room we aim for roughly  3–6 kW  output: enough to warm people and furniture without turning the room into a sauna.

Portway 2 multifuel stove installed in a living room

If you’re in a smoke control area, choose a DEFRA‑exempt model or a multifuel stove approved for smoke control zones.  Ecodesign compliance is a sensible long‑term choice to reduce particulate emissions.

Flue options and the solution we used

There are two common approaches to flues

1. Reuse and line an existing chimney  

Good when the chimney is structurally sound. Modern stoves usually require a stainless steel liner to provide a safe, smooth flue and to meet current standards.

2. External twin‑wall insulated flue  

Used where the chimney is unusable, or where internal routing is impractical. It’s tidy but changes the look of the building and may need planning in some cases.

For this job the chimney was likely reusable but un-lined, so we installed a stainless steel liner. The chimney pot was square, which is awkward for standard round terminations so Jimmy and Titch fabricated a suspension cowl for a square pot . The cowl supports the liner’s weight and gives a secure, weatherproof termination where a round pot wouldn’t sit properly. Titch was up on the roof fitting and securing the cowl while I handled the internal works and sweep.

Titch on top of the world...well roof

Hearth, clearances and tight spaces

Follow the stove manufacturer’s clearance distances, they’re there for a reason.

• Fit a non‑combustible hearth, sized to the appliance and local guidance. 

• Maintain manufacturer clearances to combustibles. If you can’t meet them, install a non‑combustible wall shield with an air gap behind it to reduce required distances.

• If clearances are tight, a heat shield is usually the least invasive and most cost‑effective fix. Moving the fireplace is the nuclear option try the shield first.

Ventilation and airtightness

Ventilation depends on appliance output and the room’s airtightness. Very airtight rooms may need a  permanent air vent  sized to the stove’s requirements. If you plan to upgrade insulation or draught‑proofing, tell your installer before the work it can change ventilation needs and the size of any required vents.

Your installer will calculate ventilation during the survey. Don’t guess     let the pro do the maths.

Step‑by‑step installation (what homeowners should expect)

1.  Initial survey      chimney condition, access, stove siting and ventilation check. (I do the sweep and chimney report.) 

2.  Specification and quote stove model, flue route, hearth, and any building works. 

3.  Procurement order stove, separate log store (if required) and materials. 

4.  Preparation protect floors, move furniture, and prepare the hearth area. 

5.  Chimney lining / flue work install liner or external flue; fit suspension cowl if needed. (Titch on the roof for this bit.) 

6.  Appliance installation position stove, connect to liner, fit hearth and finishes; place separate log store in agreed position. 

7.  Commissioning tests smoke/spillage test, draught check, and fit notice plate. 

8.  Handover operating demo, paperwork, and CO alarm check.

We aim to be tidy, quick and thorough. Expect us to protect your floors and furniture     we don’t like leaving a trail of dust any more than you do.

Installation in progress

Timeline guidance

Typical timeline for a straightforward domestic install:

• Survey and specification:  about a week (scheduling dependent). 

• Procurement:  1–3 weeks depending on stock and lead times. 

• Installation and commissioning:  usually 1–3 days for a straightforward job; allow extra time for chimney repairs or difficult roof access.

We’ll give a realistic schedule after the survey no guesswork, just a plan you can live with.

Safety and legal essentials (what you must insist on)

Building Regulations notification installations are notifiable work unless self‑certified by a registered installer. So use of a registered installer who is HETAS or equivalent registered  and will be able to provide certification. 

Commissioning tests smoke/spillage and draught tests must be done and recorded. 

Carbon monoxide alarm fit a BS‑standard CO alarm  in the room with the appliance. 

Chimney sweeping annual sweep minimum; more often with heavy use. 

Insurance notification tell your insurer about the new appliance and keep all paperwork.

These are non‑negotiable. They protect you, your family, and your home.

Operation, maintenance and handover

At completion you should receive:

•     HETAS or equivalent certificate and commissioning paperwork. 

•     Appliance manual and maintenance notes. 

•     Photo of the notice plate and flue termination. 

•     A short demo on lighting, fuel, and cleaning.

Maintenance basics: burn  well‑seasoned wood, sweep annually, and check seals and flue joints each season. If you notice smoke in the room, unusual smells, or poor draw, stop using the stove and call your installer or sweep.

Want this tailored to your living room? Send us  three photos  (wide interior, close‑up of the fireplace, and exterior showing the chimney) plus a one‑line blurb about how you’ll use the room. We’ll arrange a site survey with  Jimmy. Visit  www.thelittlestoveshed.co.uk  or email us to book in.