Charnwood C-Four, Stovax View 3

Leif

I've opened out the fireplace leaving a 23" wide, by 28.5" high by 14.5" deep opening. The sides are brick, roughly mortared. I will have a stove fitted. and the choice is the two in the title. The Stovax is noticeably smaller, so a bigger gap at the sides i.e. 4" rather than 3":

C-Four: 17" by 23" by 14.5"
View 3: 14.5" by 20" by 12".

Anyone any views on the two I have chosen? Thus far I have visited four shops, and in three the staff say Charnwood are the best, using the analogy of Rolls Royce or Bentley, which seems to be the view on this forum too given threads I've read. Apparently Stovax are fine, but Charnwood have some patents which work to their advantage. And according to one person, Stovax import components, and assemble here, whereas Charnwood are true British.

I am erring towards the Charnwood, as I like the looks, and the brand is well liked.

Leif

And another question. Does the air gap round the stove make a huge difference to the efficiency? I know it is needed to allow convection, but given a 14.5" wide 3.5kW stove and a 17" wide 5kW stove, in a 23" wide opening, would the reduced space either side offset the increased output of the 5kW stove?

sinned1

May I comment on this, I Purchased the Stovax Riva 66 inset, had it fitted, cost me a small fortune and not worth the money, it is run 24/7 during winter, this is my second winter using this fire, in this time it has had to have 2 sets of replacement plates costing £200 a set remembering the plates have to be removed and cleaned very often, fire bricks are getting ready for replacement £130.00 a set to fit yourself, chimney swept yearly £50.00 a time, so if you are considering savings on the gas bill, the gas bill is cheaper than running a stovax riva 66, oh for got to include the cost of the wood that has to be well dried before use, my advice is to buy a cheap stove and expect to change it in a couple of years if you intend to use it quite often, I wish I had now, ooppss also you cannot use pallet wood, the manufacturers say it burns to hot, its a fire for gods sake ok rant over,,,,,,,well I can rant after spending £2500, 00 for a fire that's nearly had its day, I cannot see it lasting another 2 winters, but saying this, its lovely to see a wood stove burning on a cold winters night, so all in all, do not spend a fortune on a stove, do research into parts and running costs, maintenance,
sorry for the rant and the hate that may come over, please ask anything you want to know,,

A._Badger

I'll remember to quote your sad experience the next time a stove snob sneers at my 'mere' Hunter (it has happened here) or Villagers (another favourite target).

I'm not enjoying your misfortune (if it had happened to me, I'd have gone legal on Stovax) but I can only report that my Hunter Herald 14 has worked flawlessly for three winters run flat-out with not so much as a sealing rope needing replacement (touch wood).

As for the OP, I'd buy the Charnwood, personally, Indeed, had Charnwood made a stove that fitted my needs, that's probably what I'd have bought. From an engineering point of view, they look like excellent stoves. As it is, I'm very happy with the Hunter.

John_3:16

We have stovex stockton 5, had it 4 years no problem. burns a treat. Just put a new rope on the door easy to do.

Leif

A week ago I ordered a Charnwood C-Four. They look good, and no-one knocks Charnwood. I was quoted from £1800 to £2700 for the stove, a granite hearth, and liner.

The various people I spoke to all thought Stovax and Yeoman were okay.

I know a stove is not a financially sound purchase, unless you get free wood. I've picked up some free wood, but not enough, though I've a free shrubs that are for the chop as part of landscaping the garden. But most of us buy a stove for the emotional benefit don't we? A nice warm real fire in the cold months.