Buying a 2nd hand multifuel or gas stove

ulster_exile

I have a fireplace in the room underneath my bedroom. When I moved in last May I immediately had the antiquated externally mounted gas fire removed since it looked so rickety. But I have a very cold house and would like to have either a multifuel stove installed that I could keep burning overnight, or just a gas stove.

I have very little money and a lot to fix in the house so can't be buying off the shelf and I'll have to do this in stages (starting with ensuring that the chimney is sound to start off with, before I even think of getting it lined).

But, being a fan of gumtree and the likes, if I saw a second hand stove, is it a wise buy to get one? Ebay seems to have new multifuel stoves going for reasonable money so I wonder what the catch is!

I've a gas engineer coming next week to fix my poorly combi-boiler so will ask him if there's anything else I need should I consider getting a gas stove fitted but thought I'd see if it's "been done" here before.

Ben84

Unfortunately, I suspect you may have problems finding someone who is willing to fit a second hand appliance. You can however get a new radiant gas fire with decent efficiency rating for about £250. Fitting costs depend, but should be lower than a stove. At any rate, I don't see any reason to expect it to cost more. The extras possibly needed, like a flue liner, are all generally cheaper for gas.

As for multi-fuel, the cost per kWh for wood and coal is quite a bit more than gas normally and the efficiency of these appliances is often not as good as the best gas appliances either, making for a significant price premium to use an appliance that typically costs more to buy and install too. You'll have a lot more control with gas, being able to burn as much or as little as you choose and will be able to easily calculate hourly running costs from the consumption rates in the manual too. Unless you have a good source of free or unusually low cost solid fuel, it's far from economical when you have mains gas available in the house.

rustyboy21

Also , if you do go down the route of buying a gas fire, don't buy second hand.

Most of the time, if you need a part to make it work, it will cost you as much as you paid for the fire in the frst place.

For example, if you bought a second hand valor dream, but it needed new coals, you would be looking at circa £120 for them, would be better buying new fire.

As post above says, unless you have a means of getting free logs ( seasoned) or coal, you do have to factor in the amount of wood/coal you would use and unless you work it right, it wouldn't stay lit through th night. I would rather leave a gas fire on low overnight, than a stove. At least a gas fire would switch itself off if there was a problem. A gas stove would work the same as a gas fire, but the flue would need lining with a 5'' copex liner and gas cowl first.

Leif

For a wood stove the chimney might need lining with a stainless steel liner. Installation is very expensive. What about improving radiators, or adding insulation?