Wood Burning Stove

[Timster]

Hi.

I'm after some advice from the MB Club community

We bought a house this summer and are looking at installing a woodburning stove into a large open plan lounge / dining room / kitchen area.

Have a great supply of dried wood ready but no burner as yet.

Got some companies coming in to quote next week but wanted some opinions before making final decision.

No chimney so looking at an external flue.

Anyone got any advice / horror stories to share?
Any recommended makes to go for / avoid?

Cheers!

Tim.

 

[wemorgan]

I installed my own DEFRA approved multi-fuel Stovax stove last year, bought from Woodburning Stoves, Multi-Fuel Stoves, Fireplaces - GR8Fires.
Very happy with the quality of it.

Talking to friends who paid to have theirs installed I was amazed how much the quotes varied by, but also how expensive the labour was. I got the impression the companies charged what customers were willing to pay, rather than how much it cost them. Don't get caught up in the BS. It's only a metal box with a pipe sticking out

Shop around.

Don't forget to use a flue or stove top thermometer to keep the fire burning in the most efficient range. And install a CO monitor, just in case.

 

[camerafodder]

^^ This ^^

 

[DSM10000]

Tim

No specific advice on makes but beware as a lot of the cheaper ones are Chinese and are not of the best quality.

I have had a Villager in a previous house that heated a 24 foot by 12 foot room very well, our current one I cannot see a makers mark on as it is at the back and close to the back of the brickwork but, although relatively small ,is very effective.

Also, bear in mind that if they have shaped or even curved glass then this can be very expensive to replace if it is broken.

One more thing you may wish to consider, the Villager came with two grates and two ash trays to allow for either wood or solid fuel use. T he shop I use (way out in the Dorset countryside on a farm) also has a number of second-hand ones for sale so this may also be an option for you as I am sure most dealers have "pre-loved" items!.

 

[IanA2]

If you want something a little different have a look at these. I bought a few from them some years ago.

Antique French Stove Co for sale

 

[del320]

We have two multi-fuel stoves in our Borders home - Bohemia and AGA. Stoves are Us were helpful, prompt with keen prices.

In no particular order, familiarise yourself with the following.

Steel v Cast Iron - both work the same and can be equally efficient but, like for like, cast is more expensive but keeps the heat far longer - could spring back to life in the morning.

Multi-fuel v woodburning - as you might guess, the latter is just that.

Stoves rated 5Kw and over require certain additional ventilation requirements.

If the flue exits the rear, consider a hot plate like our Bohemia for boiling a kettle and heating soup!

Most stoves have "airwash" - keeps the glass relatively clean.

Your installer will keep you right about minimum distances from flammable materials - eg wooden lintel.

Stove prices vary from a couple of hundred to £000s but you still need to factor in, for example, stone/slate hearth and the flue itself. Although not applicable to yourself, a stainless steel chimmney liner is £20 - £30 per meter.

So, like me with unlimited wood, you find the heat is not as "free" as you thought.

 

[Charles Morgan]

You can get any stove installed by a Hetas specialist who can certify the installation for building regs, or a builder or similar can instal with building inspector sign off (check this applies in your neck of the woods.)

Shop around, I got an ex display multi fuel Esse (customer service abysmal when the glass cracked on first fire - over-tightened nuts) for a lot less than new. Calculate the volume to be heated and do not over-size the stove - mine is 5kw with the flue exposed to the room, it is immensely efficient and very very hot!

As Will says, shop around. My installation took far longer than expected (multiple joists in difficult places) and my installer definitely lost money as he quoted a fixed price. Per hour it worked out at under £10 in the South East.

 

[Timster]

A wealth of knowledge and useful info. Cheers gents. Will keep you posted with progress!

 

[SilverSaloon]

following this, and thanks for the advice so far.

I'm renovating the living room now and after smashing out the chimney, i want to fit a wood burner (multifuel)

Although in the meantime, as I renovate it, i'm keeping warm like this:

and for anyone interested, scroll down a bit and you'll see the posts about us breaking through the bricked up chimney revealing the fireplace where will will sit the wood burner

https://www.facebook.com/Glencottagerenovation

follow the page for even more interesting antics as i progress!!