Which woodburning stove is the best?

Keensaver

Hi,
I am looking to get a woodburning/multifuel stove for a room that is 16 msq, so 3-4kw.......need the fireplace knocking out, and the stove/liner installed and made good. Have been quote £3300 for installation of all of this and a hearth. Is this reasonable? Is with a stovax stove.

What are the key things to look for when choosing a stove? signs of quality? What are the best brands? Have seen cheaper deal with caron and bohemia stoves..any good? or are stovax better?

Any help/guidance much appreciated!

suisidevw

£3300 to include the stove yes? Are these people HETAS registered or are you getting building control to sign off?

Say £500 for stove
£200 for hearth
£500 for liner, chimney cap etc

Then there is the knocking out (something you could do quite easily back to builders opening), laying hearth, again you could easily do this, making good the breast and chimney back and fitting the stove and liner etc.

Seems expensive to me, all depends on what is behind the fireplace and the type of liner etc.

I'd stick with a British made brand, because I like to support our workforce but also quality. Charnwood, Clearview etc. I have a Charnwood made in IOW and the quality is second to none. Love it.

Transactionumber

we are getting a multi fuel stove and are not sure what kw to go for the room is 56 sq mtrs . I have looked online and it says 5.5 kw I was wondering whether to go up to an 8kw ? Or would it be better to go for 6kw ? Looking at the mendip loxton range are they any good ? Many thanks for your help .

suisidevw

http://www.whatstove.co.uk/loxton-5-stove-reviews

Nice looking stove, reviews for it here:

I'd say 5.5-6kw would be spot on. Get a stove pipe thermometer and run it efficiently and you'll get a lot out of it! Nothing worse than a huge stove slumbering in the corner because it's too hot when running to maximum efficiency!

emilyjade

After much research we have just ordered the Charnwood C5. Originally had a quote for removal of gas fire and recess made good, flue put into place etc of £2700. Rather expensive without the stove. We have a friend of the family who is a builder who is going to do the lot with us paying the council £170 to sign it off for us. We found a local stockist of Charnwood who has given us a 15% discount on the stove. Our room is 3.5m x6.5m, the surveyor recommended 5kw. Our neighbours have an 8kw which they bought online a lot cheaper but I have been told that the Charnwood will be sufficient enough for our house. (1940's semi).

suisidevw

The C5 will heat the room perfectly, I have a 4x4 room running the C4 which is 4.9kw and is TOASTY - Brilliant, solid made stove.

oldhenry

I installed a Charnwood 4 in 2003 and it has been , and still is , brilliant. I have the grate so use smokeless fuel in winter to make it burn 24 hours and it works very well.
In teh autumn and spring use wood adn let it out. It is on now and the warmth is incredible . I bought a new glass after 5 years as they do get cloudy with the heat. I use cleaner from Lakeland to clean the door when cold.
Clean the flue in summer and the connecting stove pipe in winter too, if burning wood . I have a Class 1 brick chimney lined with proper flue pipes when the house was built in 1977- very lucky indeed. Season the wood- this is vital or you will have creosote running down the flue- nasty.:mad: I season wood for two or three years minimum and do not ever burn softwood. I ony use hardwood and mainly oak and beech. Luckily I got a lot when trees blew down in my area:o and I store it well.

suisidevw

Henry speaks wise words, apart from the bit about softwood!

Absolutely NO problems burning softwood. Simply none.

bazzarob_2

Hello all
If anyone's still watching this thread, I was wondering if you'd comment on these quotes. I've been gathering quotes for installing a stove in an existing open fireplace. Without going in to too much detail we currently have a jetmaster which we want to replace. We have a large room (about 7m x 8m) with a staircase in it and expect to need to get a 12kw stove. This in itself will likely cost over a grand. Therefore we're trying to get the install done for not too much (by a competent HETAS registered fitter, of course). I have been quoted about £1500 by a couple of fitters, and although they detail what is entailed I still fail to see how it could cost that much?? Is it because it's peak season, and we're in the south east? Seems like a bit of a chizz to me.

Greenfires

Pretty much ball park I'd say - and I'm in the North West. Always sounds a lot, but factor in all the costs of running a proper business, paying insurance, HETAS membership, running and repairing and replacing company vehicles, risks involved in clambering about on rooftops, as well as buying decent quality materials - not the 15 quid a metre garbage liner off ebay. It all adds up.