inset multifuel stove- hothouse is cheap - but are they ok?

foreign_correspondent

I'm about to replace my gas fire and back burner with a combi boiler which will leave the fireplace empty. Until the gas boiler was fitted it was an old fashioned solid fuel back boiler and fire.

As I can get wood for free, I'm considering getting an inset stove. As I understand it, it needs to be defra approved, as I live in a smoke free zone.

I can't afford to spend much, and whilst I've been looking on the internet I've seen this one, which seems really cheap... and I'm wondering if they are ok, has anyone got one?

thanks in advance!

Alycidon

At the price it is then its Chinese made. While it looks solid usually the more you pay the better and longer life you get. A review is only really worth something when an owner has had his/her stove maybe 5 years.

I would be asking the supplier about the price and availability of spare parts such as Firebricks, you will struggle to get them through the normal channels unless they can be cut from a sheet.

Putting a stove in given your access to free wood in an excellent idea but get a quote for the install and sign off first from a Hetas enginneer, to find see the Hetas web site.


A

foreign_correspondent

thanks, on their website it says they are 'british designed' and 'british engineered' but not where they are made... hmm, is there a recommended budget brand I wonder?

Robwiz

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

thanks, on their website it says they are 'british designed' and 'british engineered' but not where they are made... hmm, is there a recommended budget brand I wonder?

When researching wood stoves I was impressed by the quality of information on Hanover Builder's website and FAQ. Obviously he's promoting his own business but he's shared quite a lot of knowledge and experience and the answers to the 'I am really skint, who does cheap burners' questions may be helpful. I have no connection with Hanover Builder.

markmead

and what about the british Gallery brand? I am looking into buying a multi fuel stove too, this is quite cheap and the quality seems to be decent.
Gallery Firefox stove

Greenfires

They're Chinese Mark. Quite a few of these outfits mention British design etc - but sending some technical drawings to China doesn't make them "Made in England". The Firefox stoves are probably one of the better imports though.

seven-day-weekend

Greenfires wrote: »

They're Chinese Mark. Quite a few of these outfits mention British design etc - but sending some technical drawings to China doesn't make them "Made in England". The Firefox stoves are probably one of the better imports though.

We bought a Firefox thinking it was British made, then found out it wasn't, but it is a very sturdy and well made stove and imho well worth buying.

foreign_correspondent

thanks so much for the advice, however, after being told how much it would cost to fit, I'm now re-thinking my plans!

I've had the old gas fire and back burner removed, and have a gaping hole where it was... I'm wondering how much it would cost to put a basic open fire in.

The chimney is currently lined with a flexible metal liner thing for a gas fire/back burner, but until about 2002 was used for solid fuel on a daily basis and worked fine, so I'm hopeful it's not too bad... might start a different thread to see if anyone can advise!

thanks again though!