Wood/Multi fuel Stove - Questions on build and installation

RickMoney

Hi All,

I'm soon to arrange to have a stove fitted but I have some questions I hope those with experience can answer (impartially rather than the stores views).

First, I've been told that the cast iron stoves over time can see their joints start to let air in after expansion/contraction, especially when burning wood. So is it better to go for a steel one?

Second, the install needs an external insulated flue. The prices for this are around double the cost of the stove! For an 8 meter run with two bends its close to £2k, is that right or do I need more quotes?

We're in the NW England.

Thanks in advance.

Rick

A._Badger

RickMoney wrote: »

Hi All,

I'm soon to arrange to have a stove fitted but I have some questions I hope those with experience can answer (impartially rather than the stores views).

First, I've been told that the cast iron stoves over time can see their joints start to let air in after expansion/contraction, especially when burning wood. So is it better to go for a steel one?

A well made stove of either kind will be fine. Steel does have advantages and really the only in advantage of cast iron is that it can be cast to take more pleasing shapes. Back when stoves were very ornate this was quite a feature but as they are nearly all Scandihoovian exercises in minimalism today, it's hard to see that it makes a big difference.

One possible issue with cast iron is that it is easier to crack if you treat it badly but, again, a well made stove from a decent manufacturer shouldn't present a problem.

Afraid I can't help with external flues.

suki1964

Double wall flues are expensive. One place local we were looking to buy at priced it up at a grand more then the actual stove

Do your homework on price per metre. We bought ours from an independent and it was a third of the price of the original quote. When we had to add a length we ordered from a builders merchant and once again werent ripped off

thozza

Twin wall insulated flue is expensive, decent quality more so, but it is well worth while getting additional quotes, and maybe talking to local builder/plumbers merchants about the cost would be of sourcing it direct?

Our twin wall uninsulated internal flue cost almost as much as the stove.

Greenfires

The stove to go for is a good quality one - in which case it won't make much difference whether it's built from cast iron or steel. Cast is a bit slower to warm up - but also slower to cool down again so what you lose at one end you gain at the other. If it's well made though you should have no issues with seams leaking at all. With the exception of the door seals of course, which are considered an expendable part, and which will need replacing every few years on any type of stove.

Decent quality twinwall is expensive as you've discovered - but a good system will last and will stay pretty clean generally - I always used to get a lot less to show from this type of flue when I was sweeping them.

Overall, I think in many cases, you get what you pay for in stove world - so it's probably worth paying out a bit more for a quality setup that will be so much nicer to live with and easier to maintain.

RickMoney

I appreciate the replies all. I'll be going to check out some more stoves this weekend and will take on board your comments.

Regards

Rick

RickMoney

Greenfires wrote: »

The stove to go for is a good quality one - in which case it won't make much difference whether it's built from cast iron or steel. Cast is a bit slower to warm up - but also slower to cool down again so what you lose at one end you gain at the other. If it's well made though you should have no issues with seams leaking at all. With the exception of the door seals of course, which are considered an expendable part, and which will need replacing every few years on any type of stove.

The two I seem to be torn between are the Charnwood C5 and the Jotul F100.

One being cast the other steel. The jotul is more expensive but the better half prefers its looks...

A._Badger

RickMoney wrote: »

The two I seem to be torn between are the Charnwood C5 and the Jotul F100.

One being cast the other steel. The jotul is more expensive but the better half prefers its looks...

Both are extremely high quality stoves from well regarded manufacturers and should serve you well. Good luck with your project.