Wood Burning Stove Install

meclive

Hi, looking for some advice please!
I've had a couple of quotes for a wood burning stove to be installed in a standard 1930s semi-detached lounge. Problem is the two companies I've had round for a survey have given conflicting advice over which stove to get - the price for either is pretty much the same. The two stoves are a Dean Forge Sherford 5 and a Dik Guerts Ivar 5. The first company said to go for the Dean Forge Sherford as it's a 'premium' stove that can be adjusted (air flow) and he said the problem with the Dik Guerts Ivar 5 was that it was made to heat large German rooms, so it's not ideal for smaller English lounges... The second company said to get the Dik Guerts Ivar 5 as it's 'the best stove' and because Dean Forge stoves end up getting a lot of soot on the glass.

Looking online there doesn't seem to be any reviews on the Dean Forge Sherford model, other models seem to get good reviews. in comparison the Dik Guerts Ivar seems to have been around for longer and gets decent reviews. 

As a person who knows next to nothing about stoves, does anyone have any recommendations of which stove is the one to get over the other?

Davesnave

It's very unlikely anyone will be able to compare the stoves from personal experience because they're an item that should last a long time and the chances of owning both are very low.

There is no review of the Dik Guerts Ivar 5 on What Stove, which is my go-to place for reviews I'd trust. I've never heard of it, but I'm not a stove guru. However, because the reviews on What Stove are genuine and the permutations of flue, stove and quality of installation are so varied, it should be remembered that  critical reviews may not all be the fault of the stove itself. Dean Forge stoves are generally well reviewed.

Personally I'd go for a British stove from a reasonably sized manufacturer, though sometimes it's hard to know where individual parts are made. My own stove is a Woodwarm, also made in Devon, and all models are well thought of. Early ones looked like they were designed by engineers with looks an afterthought, but the more recent models, like my Phoenix Firegem, don't lose out on appearance. After 5 years with it, I have no complaints at all; very controllable, clear glass for months and even a door handle you don't need a glove for.

FreeBear

Both stoves appear to be made from steel (except the door on the Ivar which is cast) - Steel construction mean it can be repaired fairly easily should it be needed. But a repair is unlikely to be needed in your lifetime. Cast iron, if of poor quality, can be brittle and prone to cracking - One reason to avoid cheap Chinese made stoves..

The Ivar 5 has a multifuel kit available, where as there doesn't appear to be one for the Dean Forge - A multifuel kit gives you the option to use smokeless coal.

If you are looking for a modern style of stove, have you looked at Arada, Stovax, or Dowling ?

I have an Arada i500, but if I were to replace it, I think I'd go for a Stovax Riva with a fan kit fitted.

Davesnave

Dowling is very much a specialist type of stove; perhaps like the Morgan sports car of the stove world. It ain't for everyone.

Before I  sat in a Morgan at the dealership, I thought I wanted one. My friend actually bought one and kept it nearly a year!

FreeBear

Davesnave said: Dowling is very much a specialist type of stove; perhaps like the Morgan sports car of the stove world. It ain't for everyone.

I think that is a rather unfavourable comparison. Morgans are pretty little cars. A more apt comparison would perhaps be with a Marcos - Hand crafted (like a Morgan), but everybody's idea of pretty. Both do the job though.

Mutton_Geoff

I'm a fan of Charnwood. Be careful putting a 5kw stove in a regular sized lounge. You will be too hot. I put a Charnwood C4 into my lounge which is over 400 sq feet with large dual aspect single glazed Crittall windows and the room cooks after the stove has been on for a couple of hours.

robatwork

Stovax for the win - and what Mickey666 said ^^^^ exactly.

Cisco001

Don't bother installing.
Gov banning sales of coal at wet wood
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51581817

meclive

Cisco001 said:

Don't bother installing.
Gov banning sales of coal at wet wood
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51581817

From what I understand you shouldn't burn wet wood anyway on these type of stoves so shouldn't affect me.

Ectophile

If it's a wood burner, then it won't burn coal anyway.  Wet wood isn't worth the effort of trying to burn it.  Your stove and chimney will tar up, the heat will be poor, and the stove will go out unless constantly tended.

theonlywayisup

We have a Westfire in our holiday cottages and in our home.  The cottages are open plan and the log use in the winter is sufficient to tell me they are used daily.  Our own Westfire is in an open plan ground floor and is a supplementary heater to the UFH.  It's been in situ 14-15 years and is used every day in the late autumn, winter and early spring.  It has airflow allowing us to control the heat/burn.  

Anyone who uses wood will understand that the new regulations won't make a difference.  I would never use wet or unseasoned wood, it doesn't burn, it isn't efficient and it leaves more mess than you can imagine.