Which woodburning stove is the best?

kah22

Yes I know the clue is in the name 'Wood Burner' but be honest how many of you put on the occasional bit of smokeless if your stove has a grate?

Greenfires

If it has a grate then it's a multi-fuel stove. The thing to remember is that wood and smokeless fuel prefer completely different conditions to burn at their best. Wood is best on a bed of ash with the combustion air supplied from above - and smokeless is much better on a clean grate with the air supplied from below. So you can burn either in a multi fuel - but only one at a time if you want the fuels to perform properly. Our Morso has a grate in it - but because we only burn wood the ash has been left to build up and cover the grate completely - we've not seen it for years! If we wanted to use smokeless though, we'd have to clear it all out to expose the grate.

kah22

I've bought the Varde Aura 11 described quite clearly on the website a Wood Burner Wood Burner . One of the images clearly says 'Shaker Grate

I see two possibilities it is suitable to act as a multi fuel stove but has not been tested as such. Maybe the grate is not as strong as you'd find in a multi burner.

The second possibility. Burn coal, smokeless or whatever and you invalidate the warranty.

I see it as a bit of both

Greenfires

I think that stove was discussed here recently. The general opinion (mine included) was that it wouldn't be suitable for smokeless - there's nowehere near enough air supply coming up through the fuel. The shaker grate in this particular stove is just a way of moving a bit of ash down to the pan - and is neither use nor ornament really. A dedicated woodburner doesn't need one, and a multifuel will generally have an open grate the same size as the internal dimensions of the firebox. Proper multifuel stoves often incorporate a shaker grate or riddling bars into the grate itself, but not "just" a shaker in a solid plate.

To my mind - this is just a way of making the stove look a bit more well engineered and complex, and no doubt adding a few quid to the price - while actually being pointless.

Davesnave

rrtt wrote: »

8 years after buying my first one - which I dismantled and brought with me when I moved house last Sept - I bought 4 more Woodwarm stoves for the empty openings in new house & annexe. Delighted with all of them. Classic & timeless looking, designed and made in Devon. Not the cheapest re initial purchase, but they'll save you money with their longevity. Great products, immaculate personal customer service, I'd never buy any other make now whilst Woodwarm keep producing. I've no association with them except as a very happy customer btw.

http://www.woodwarmstoves.co.uk/aboutus.ashx

I have no association with them either, but I have a close friend who works in this field, and he says parts have become more difficult to obtain in a timely manner since Woodwarm were taken over by a company called Metal Developments.

I'm just putting this out there to see if others have any recent experience. I'm being told 5-6 weeks for some parts.

This has put me off a bit, along with the fact that their stoves all look a bit olde worlde for my place, but being where I am, I'd like to buy from them.

rrtt

Oh right - thanks for the info, how disappointing. Must say I wasn't aware they'd been taken over - must be a recent thing? as I bought mine for this house around 18 months (?) ago and spoke with the Woodwarm owner/Managing Director at the time. Unless Metal Developments kept him on perhaps?

Davesnave

rrtt wrote: »

Oh right - thanks for the info, how disappointing. Must say I wasn't aware they'd been taken over - must be a recent thing? as I bought mine for this house around 18 months (?) ago and spoke with the Woodwarm owner/Managing Director at the time. Unless Metal Developments kept him on perhaps?

I'm only passing-on what my friend told me, as someone who buys spares for a company servicing fires throughout the westcountry. He has no axe to grind, but maybe it's significant that his firm don't stock Woodwarm in their showroom.

I still think the fires are well worth people's attention, as there are many very good reviews from happy purchasers. I know other outlets in this county are still happy to stock them, and I'm talking about smaller retailers who must choose their limited display ranges carefully.

J_Kafka

I'm fed up with the ''Traditional' wood burner designs which look IMO like they featured in a Hammer version of Dracula.
I've been quite taken with the design of a Firebelly boiler stove with its large glass door - anyone got any experience with this manufacturer, please?

Greenfires

There were some issues with quality control at one time - some retailers stopped selling them. That was a few years back though, and given that they still seem to be in business, they may have got any issues ironed out.

pcoffa

MrsDavo,

We are in the process of choosing a multi fuel stove (5kW) and the choices are endless. We came across the Dartmoor 5W by Dean Forge and would like to hear your review of it.

Thanks