Varde Stoves

Varde Danish Wood Burning Stoves

Varde is a Danish stove manufacturer specialising in contemporary wood burners that combine clean Scandinavian styling with practical everyday heating.

Unlike ranges that span everything from compact 4kW appliances to very large 10kW+ stoves, the current Bonfire Varde collection is concentrated around the popular 5–5.5kW output range.

This makes choosing a Varde less about chasing a larger kW figure and more about finding the right height, width, flame view, base design and thermal mass for the room.

Bonfire has supported Varde for over a decade and can provide supply-only or complete professional installation.

Which Varde Stove Should You Choose?

Varde Aura 1 – Tall, Practical 5kW Stove

The Varde Aura 1 is a tall contemporary wood burner with a nominal heat output of approximately 5kW and an operating range of around 3–7kW.

Its proportions raise the combustion chamber to a comfortable viewing height while leaving a useful open storage section beneath for logs, kindling or fireside tools.

Current manufacturer specifications give the Aura 1 an efficiency of approximately 81% and an A+ energy rating.

Cast iron is used for key high-temperature components including the door, top plate, grate, base and smoke outlet, combining a steel stove body with substantial cast components where they are particularly useful.

Varde Aura 3 – Lower Height for Smaller Spaces

The Aura 3 uses the same general Varde design language but reduces the overall height to approximately 870mm.

This makes it particularly useful where a tall freestanding stove would feel oversized or where the appliance needs to sit below a lower architectural feature.

Despite the reduced dimensions, the current Aura 3 still provides approximately 5kW nominal output, 81% efficiency and an A+ energy rating.

Top and rear flue outlets give additional flexibility when connecting the appliance to the chimney system.

Varde Shape 2 – Slimline & Rounded

The Shape 2 is visually one of the most contemporary stoves in the range.

Its rounded, relatively shallow body can work well where a conventional square stove would project too heavily into the room or where the stove is being positioned in a corner.

The current Shape 2 produces approximately 5kW with an operating range of 3–7kW and efficiency around 80%.

A practical storage compartment sits underneath the combustion chamber, while the large curved front pane provides a strong flame view.

External Air for Modern Homes

The Varde Shape 2 incorporates the manufacturer’s AIR system, allowing combustion air to be drawn directly from outside through the appropriate connection kit.

This can be particularly useful in modern, highly insulated or airtight properties where taking all combustion air from the room may be undesirable.

External-air suitability depends on the complete property and ventilation strategy, so it should be planned as part of the installation rather than treated as a universal requirement.

Varde Samsø – Wide Flame View & Open Log Store

The Varde Samsø has broader, more traditional Scandinavian proportions than the slimmer Aura and Shape models.

Its wide combustion chamber gives a strong view of the fire, while the open base can be used for logs or fireside tools.

The current manufacturer specification lists approximately 5kW nominal output, an operating range of 3–7kW, 81% efficiency and an A+ energy rating.

Samsø therefore provides a visibly broader stove without requiring a substantially higher heat output.

Varde Bornholm – More Glass Around the Fire

The Bornholm is the model to consider where the stove will be visible from several directions.

In addition to its front viewing window, Bornholm uses side glazing to broaden the flame view and create more of a freestanding-room feature.

This works particularly well where the stove sits forward in a room or at the edge of a fireplace opening rather than being enclosed tightly by masonry on both sides.

If side glass will ultimately be hidden deep inside a chamber, a front-only model such as Aura or Samsø may be the more logical choice.

Varde Stone & Soapstone Stoves

Selected Varde stoves are available with natural stone or soapstone cladding.

Stone adds substantial thermal mass around the firebox. It absorbs heat while the stove is burning and then releases some of that stored warmth gradually after the fire begins to die down.

For example, Varde’s natural-stone Aura 3 weighs approximately 190kg, compared with roughly 106kg for the standard Aura 3.

The soapstone Shape 2 follows the same principle, combining the narrow rounded stove body with heat-retaining stone panels.

The benefit is not additional energy production; it is a change in how heat is stored and released into the room.

Cast Iron Where It Matters

Varde combines steel stove construction with cast-iron components in areas exposed to significant heat and mechanical use.

Depending on the model, this includes:

• Stove doors
• Top plates
• Bottom grates
• Smoke outlets
• Base components

Varde states that this approach is intended to improve durability in parts subjected to repeated heating and cooling.

Airwash & Clean Glass

Current Varde models use an air-management system designed to support efficient wood combustion while directing air across the inside of the ceramic glass.

When the stove is burning correctly with suitable dry wood, this helps reduce deposits and preserve the clear flame view.

No airwash system can compensate indefinitely for wet fuel or consistently low-temperature burning, so properly seasoned firewood remains important.

Ecodesign Performance

Varde states that all of its current wood-burning stoves and inserts meet Ecodesign 2022 requirements.

The current models sold by Bonfire typically achieve approximately 80–81% efficiency and A+ energy ratings.

Smoke Control Area suitability should still be checked against the exact UK appliance and configuration. Selected Bonfire Varde models are offered with an appropriate Smoke Control / DEFRA kit where required.

Top or Rear Flue?

Several Varde models provide both top and rear flue connection.

A top connection can create a simple vertical flue route and keeps more heat-producing pipe exposed within the room.

A rear connection can provide a cleaner appearance where an existing masonry chimney connection is positioned directly behind the stove.

The decision should be made during the survey because fireplace dimensions, chimney condition and required stove position can all affect the preferred arrangement.

Varde Stove Installation by Bonfire

Bonfire can supply your Varde stove only or provide a complete survey and installation service.

This can include heat-output assessment, hearths, fireplace chambers, chimney inspection, flexible liners, insulated twin-wall chimney systems, external-air planning, HETAS installation, commissioning and aftercare.

Use our stove calculator for an initial indication of the output your room may require.

Varde Stoves FAQs

Where are Varde stoves from?

Varde is a Danish stove brand specialising in contemporary Scandinavian wood-burning appliances.

How powerful are Varde stoves?

Most of the current Varde models supplied by Bonfire sit around 5–5.5kW nominal output, making the collection particularly relevant to typical UK living rooms.

What is the difference between Varde Aura 1 and Aura 3?

Both are approximately 5kW, but Aura 1 is taller with an open storage section below the firebox, while Aura 3 is lower and more compact.

Which Varde stove is best for a corner?

The rounded and relatively shallow Shape 2 is particularly well suited to corner positioning, although final clearances must always be checked.

Does Varde make heat-retaining stoves?

Yes. Selected Varde models are available with natural stone or soapstone cladding, which absorbs heat while the stove is burning and releases it gradually afterwards.

Are Varde stoves Ecodesign compliant?

Yes. Varde states that all of its current wood-burning stoves and inserts meet Ecodesign 2022 requirements.

Can Varde stoves use external combustion air?

Selected models, including Shape 2 AIR, can connect to an external-air supply using the appropriate kit. This can be particularly useful in highly insulated homes.

Can Bonfire install my Varde stove?

Yes. Bonfire can provide surveys, hearths, fireplace preparation, chimney liners, twin-wall systems and professional HETAS installation for suitable Varde projects.