Your channel is just what I needed. My head was spinning with advice from neighbours and “bloke from the pub”. You’ve an excellent presentation style and you’ve made me take the plunge for the Hunter Herald. Cheers
Heta inspire 40 here. My first stove and it’s getting some good use lately. Clean efficient and really nice burn with oak and ash. Good with smokeless fuel as well and kicks out the heat. Couldn’t be happier and would recommend it.
It would have been really grate (pun intended) to list them in the description with links to your review as I enjoy your reviews. They are almost as relaxing as my watching my clearview but more informative.🙂 I am still new and learning how much can you load a stove, I worry about a burning pyre collapse against the glass. Merry Christmas.
I did have links to all the reviews on the actual video, they would pop up when I announced each stove. I should of put them in the description too though! We’re all still learning, but don’t be scared to experiment. If it all goes wrong and something leans against the glass it’ll either just burn up or you’ll move it. Don’t panic about it, at the end of the day this is just a glorified box with a bonfire inside it!
Any luck with the Ambition deliveries. Beginning to think I should have a backup plan and that’s back to convincing my better half on the dean forge looks
I believe there are timescales with basically everything including Dean Forge stoves generally. It’s just that time of year. Good luck with the stove though!
i have just gotten a soapstone version of the jydepejsen cosmo 1147 have you heared of this brand , and what is your opinion of it ? and why are the close to none soapstone models reviews here ? ps like your channel
I am getting my stove fitted in a different place now so I don’t need the clearances it will be in the room with a purpose built twin wall. Which stoves would you recommend at around 1000 quid ? The company did briefly mention hunter. Would appreciate you opinion and advice. Many thanks x
Hi Gabriel Love all the reviews its certainly put in a few dark winter nights watching them all. I am thinking of installing a wood burner/multi fuel stove in our kitchen that is always cold. Being in the kitchen its not going to be the primary source of heat or the main part of the house we live but hopefully will warm the area and help stop the cold drafts we experience during winter, am considering the a number of options: stovax futura, heta inspire 45 or solution 5 or 7 all multi fuel although i do have a good supply of logs Regards Anthony
I would drop the solution given your intended wood use. The Heta is obviously lovely, but quite costly and given your use, is it worth it (same with the Stovax)??? I would add in some lower cost wood stoves as these will give you good fuel economy as well as suiting your use and not costing extra money. Things like: Hunter Allure Saltfire Peanut ACR woodpecker Woodford Didsbury Etc. You could stick with the others you’ve mentioned, there is no downside other than the initial outlay. I suppose they would be a bit of a Chelsea Tractor 😆
You are clearly very Impressed with Heta. What do you think of their inset models. Can I assume the Heta Classic, for example, would perform as well as the Heta 45? What is your favourite 5-6 KW insert that will take 400mm+ logs?
I find some of them a little bit and miss. The Panorama is superb, but the Inspire 40 inset isn’t quite as nicely engineered, finished or as controlled. I expect the classic to be excellent, but I haven’t used it yet. In terms of others, I’ve just started testing some insets, and just been sent another to test. These stoves are by their very nature compromised, but there are some excellent stoves out there.
@@TheTortoise Thank you. In what way are Insets compromised and which manufacturers are making the best fist at resolving the compromises. On the subject of efficiency, I see some manufacturers quote gross efficiency and others net. What's the difference and is it significant?
@@BM-vt3ri The main compromise is that the whole thing is built into a wall, so lots of heat goes into the masonry and is therefore far slower to get into the room. The best stoves tend to be more square shaped stoves with a good convection gap all around the stove. The insets that are built half in and half out tend to be the worst in terms of heat output strangely. The other thing that you can do is insulate the stove (only possible when it is being fitted into a fireplace that is bigger than the stove itself), as this will allow the convection chamber to retain its heat and have a stronger convection current around the room. In terms of efficiency the difference is potentially significant and worth looking at. Gross efficiency is taking the energy you've put into your stove (the amount of wood) and working out how much heat went up the chimney, the rest obviously came into the room. The net efficiency however bears in mind all the other variables such as: Particulates, how much ash was left, how much heat went up the chimney and other minor losses of energy through anything other than heat to the room. Net efficiency is definitely the more relevant to any of us, but don't forget efficiency figures definitely aren't what determines a good stove. The trouble with them is that if you get 90%, but you get it all within 45 minutes then it is annoying if you want to keep the stove lit for longer periods. There is a balance between efficiency and controllability and for a lot of people it is worth losing some efficiency for better control or a longer burn, it certainly is for me. It's such a tricky subject because efficiency figures can make rubbish stoves look really good, and also brilliant stoves can look awful.
I am in discussion with Charlton and Jenrick regarding a few reviews, they are just struggling with stock. The Woodtec looks interesting and looking at the design I would it’s made in the same factory as the PureVision stoves. I’d need to try it to know.
Clock are currently making me a stove for review. Their order book is full, but they are building an extra one to send over. Forgive how long it is taking, but it is on its way!
Great channel, thank you. Please would you do a video on woodburner temperatures? My stove (Pioneer 400) temperature varies depending where I measure it, the hottest being directly in front of the flue on top of the stove. I note the Saltfire in this video has a thermometer on the flue, approximately 6 inches above the stove. If the the burner were to run to the higher limit in this position the top of the stove surely is in danger of overheating? There is so little credible information out there, your contribution would, I’m sure be of great value!
Thermometers are designed to read the temperature from 6-12” above the stove on the pipe. If the thermometer is reading the correct temperature at that point, then the rest of the stove is also correct. However very high efficiency appliances like the Burley are starting to throw that off, but with most stoves it’s still correct.
Maybe a daft question but which 5kw multi fuel stove gives out the most heat? I watched yout video about the kw and how the 5kw the is claimed may not be true due to how its governed. We would have it installed but dont want the air brick option.
The biggest multi-fuel we’ve encountered is the Clock Blithfield, which has the potential of achieving 9kw. However don’t buy too much into the word “multi-fuel”. This is a salesman’s word that doesn’t always mean what you expect. The truth is all stoves are multi-fuel, after all they’re just a metal box. But coal burning stoves tend to be very wasteful with wood, less controllable and greedier with fuel. Very few people would therefore buy your stove, if you called it a “coal burner”, hence the word multi-fuel arrived. Simply a marketing word designed by manufacturers of coal burners to increase their sales. It is therefore vastly better to buy a wood focused stove if you intend to burn mainly wood, or a coal focused stove if you’re burning coal. The Clock is a genuine m/f, and a very good one, but this is VERY much the exception, not the rule.
I contacted Dunsley and they were very disinterested 😬. I’ve no doubt that if potential customers requested it with them they may be more interested, but to be honest I just thought I’ve got enough to think about right now.
Ooo, that’s tricky. For me it would definitely be stoves, I’d have to disown my family before I committed that kind of treason😆. Stoves are so much better in every way other than the sound and living nature of an open fire. Particularly for the majority of people open fires really aren’t sustainable or clean enough.
We have our fire lit morning to night at the minute and it's great. I love the atmosphere it gives to the house, even though it uses a lot of fuel. I'm not bothered about the eco side of it either. I have bought a stove after researching, and learning all the benefits of them but am really wondering whether I'd be making a mistake to replace a perfectly good open fire with it. My other thought is to put it in the kitchen with a twin wall chimney and then have the best of both worlds. Decisions decisions!
@@desb9639 replacing the open fire is definitely the sensible option. Twin wall flues can’t work as well as proper chimneys and fitting to a chimney is always lower cost. The twin wall system will work, but the existing chimney is always my first pick.
@@TheTortoise ok thanks for the info, I didn't know the twin wall systems didn't work as well as a proper chimney. Can you do a video with info about flue liners please? Thanks for all the videos and information you provide, it's been super helpful so far.
Hi Gabriel Some advice please. We had a Heta scanline 7 or something like that a few years ago (bought second hand). It was our first effort at a wood burning stove and we loved it BUT it proved to be very expensive to run. Even with it shut down to the minimum, we couldn't get it to just tick over (probably due to Defra interference?), and as for stacking it for overnight, forget it. Couple of hours and it was gone. We are moving soon into a pretty standard, old 3 bed semi and would like to install another stove but are concerned about running costs with wood being so expensive and our previous experience with the last one burning through wood like it was going out of fashion. So, as it stands I'm thinking a multi-fuel may be a better option as i'm told that coal burns hotter and for a lot longer. Is this true and would it be more economical than wood alone? However, after watching some of your videos so far (excellent by the way), it appears you are a great fan of just using wood and give the impression that it's economical. Have the new wood burning stoves come a long way now, to make it economical to burn wood? I'm concerned that due to Defra regulations, it will keep burning more fiercely than we would like. We are only going to get one shot at getting the right stove, so could you suggest a stove that is economical to run with good controllability, reliable and a sensible price (ideally under £1k)? I would still like a multifuel if possible, just to have the option (although i'm now a little concerned about the acid eating through the liner and us not knowing about it). The room that would need to be heated primarily is 12' x 12'. Please forgive the wall of questions (that's the short version too). Any advice would be much appreciated.
Smokeless fuel (coal based fuel) doesn’t get as hot as wood and whilst it can burn for a long time, you can also get wood to burn for long periods. The key thing is the internal design, if you’re burning coal you need a grate and air from below. If you’re burning wood you want no lower air and to burn in the ash with no grate or ash pan. Getting a stove with a grate (multi-fuel) and then burning wood on it is a total waste, because the stove will not be economical with wood. The main way to get the best fuel economy is to do as much of the work as possible. Getting a newly cut or fallen tree could well be free, but it requires you to: Cut Chop Store And dry the fuel If you do this, you can run your stove for free. Essentially the less work you do the more it will end up costing. I always favour wood because, the world is running towards renewable fuels, you can potentially get it for free and with modern appliances you can get wood to burn for long periods too. I would forget coal, but a good wood burner and then learn the techniques for long burn times (my how to burn overnight video will get you started with this). Good stoves to consider for this, that I have tested, are: Hunter Herald Allure 4 Burley 4kw Charnwood country 4 Aduro 16 (you might find one going cheap as they stopped making it) These are all very competent stoves for serious use and can be found for less than £1,000. But as mentioned the biggest affect on cost of running will be: How you buy your fuel And your long burning technique.
@@TheTortoise Many thanks for taking the time to explain in detail, thank you. I have pretty much decided to go for the Allure and not worry about getting a multifuel burner now. However, should the wife decide she wants to chuck the odd bit of smokeless fuel in with the logs, would that do any harm?
Clear Skies is a private rating system, not dissimilar to a “Which” rating. It’s not that they don’t matter, but not having it also doesn’t mean that the product is bad. Heta stoves are obviously superb, but for now at least they haven’t paid to get the ClearSkies badge.
As these stoves are very similar in their contemporary appearance, could you recommend maybe a few of the best 5kw ‘traditional’ looking stoves with similar attributes to the stoves featured in this video? Very informative channel. Thanks!
The Dean Forge Croft is worth looking at, but I’m hoping to look at some more traditional stoves in 2023, because you’re right this segment is a little under represented.
Good question. If I'm burning only wood then the DG should have the edge. But if I want flexibility or am not focused on serious use then the Inspire is the most beautifully finished and refined.
I am looking for 5kw multifuel stove, looking at SaltFire Classic or Stx5??? Some people recommend Ecosy??!! Would like easy stove to use as well as the one which retain heat. Please help. 🤔 🤔 🤔
I’ve got the ekol clarity double sided I would love to see a proper review on it nothing for that or much on double sided on the internets I’m a novice with it really
That’s one of the last double sided stoves still made. I would like to try them out, the only hiccough is it’s the only type of stove I don’t have a place to put one.
Awesome content. I’ve heard most installers go for Heta stoves but also heard that Woodwarm stoves are the Rolls Royce when it comes to stoves. I’m in the deciding stages of picking a suitable stove and still unsure if I should go with a multi fuel, or wood only. I will be using it mainly after work but will likely have it running all day on the weekends and over night if possible. I live in a 4 bedroom detached house with my stove going in a chimney. Majority of people are telling me to go multi for the versatility but then I watched your video explaining that a wood only will burn much better is persuading me. For me I’m looking for something serious! I want it to be very controllable. What would you recommend if you don’t mind me asking because I’m torn. Heta Inspire 45 Heta Ambition 5 Woodwarm fireview Clock Contura
I’m testing a Clock quite soon so I will be able to give a better view of them soon. Particularly nowadays I would be inclined to go for a wood burner as the flexibility people are describing is mostly clever marketing (a bit like when they say a 4x4 is great on and off road. Generally this isn’t true they’re miles better at one than the other, and the ones that are quite good at both cost a lot of money). I also need to try the Woodwarm, but of course they also produce wood only stoves. And there’s only 1 reason why they would, there must be an advantage. The ones I have tested are the Heta and a Contura and given your use I would buy one of the Heta stoves. However it wouldn’t surprise me if wood only Woodwarm was also a great choice. The Clock is obviously multi-fuel and I’m looking forward to seeing how it works, but I haven’t got anything to base off at the moment.
@@TheTortoise Cheers for the reply. It’s crazy because majority on certain Facebook groups all say to go multi fuel, but I agree with your logic. I thought all Woodwarm stoves were multi ?
@@d1ppaz they certainly have multi-fuel and Wood only options on their website, but I must admit I haven’t used or paid much attention to Woodwarm in the past so it may be worth a chat with them.
@@TheTortoise I’ll give them a call tomorrow and see what Modena they have. In your opinion, what’s the better and more efficient stove out of the Heta inspire 45/Ambition 5 and Charnwood air ?
@@d1ppaz the Heta stoves will win from a function point of view, but it depends how important that is. The Charnwood is also more expensive but it is British made, very exclusive and does have a great look and feel.
Yes I am. It has a bit of a long and strange history. Originally this design came from the original Aga Little Wenlock, and it has since been remade (often in China or Waterford Stanley in Ireland). It’s really a coal burner, so not great with wood, but it does what it does. I’m surprised they’ve managed to get it through modern regs, so I’d be interested to try it one day.
@@TheTortoise Thanks very much fir the reply. I've bought one here in Ireland, didn't realise it wasn't great with wood though. Thanks again for the informative reply 👍
@@hairyjute no worries at all. If you’ve got one and you burn wood then the thing to do is to keep a good bed of ash in it. That way you’ll prevent air under the fuel which is what causes a faster burn rate with wood.
We got installed Ecosy+ Rock 5 Landscape stove, and from day 1 to today, as soon u open the door to refuel u can see, and smell the smoke enter the living room, very disapointed, contacted twise Ecosy manufacturer, so far no call back.. We raised extra 1 meter twinwall flue up, but still smoke enters when re-fuel, we do believe its a twin baffle restriction too much draft what cause this smoke issues...
Have u had any issues with smoke entering the room with Heta Ambition 5 stove, since its have very large door? We mainly burn seasoned logs, heat logs, and looking stove for longest burn time capability.
Definitely interested in working with Esse. We were chatting this year, but it got so busy that no one could keep up. We’ll hopefully put something together in 2023.
The Ambition 5 does spill smoke quite easily, but once you get used to how it works you can avoid it. If you only re-load it when the fire has burned down to red charcoal then you don’t get any spill at all. There is also a lighting technique which improves lighting issues, but as I say in my review, it’s not an easy stove to use, but it is superb once you’ve learned it.
New stoves, and particularly twin wall flues are not always easy and coupled with it being cold, you’re trying to learn something hard, at the hardest time. This issue is very unlikely to have anything to do with the stove and is more likely to be down to either the flue m, fuel or technique. Either way the installer should be able to answer this, if his conclusion is the stove then I’d believe him, but 98% of the time it is a flue, fuel or user issue. The user issue will be a pretty simple solve and nearly everyone struggles with this at the start. Again fuel is an easy check and correct, and the flue design is down to the fitter. I hope you get some help from them, but come back to me if you’re still struggling after going through the motions. Good luck!
Your channel is just what I needed. My head was spinning with advice from neighbours and “bloke from the pub”.
You’ve an excellent presentation style and you’ve made me take the plunge for the Hunter Herald.
Cheers
Well done, glad to hear it was helpful!
Heta inspire 40 here. My first stove and it’s getting some good use lately. Clean efficient and really nice burn with oak and ash. Good with smokeless fuel as well and kicks out the heat. Couldn’t be happier and would recommend it.
Yay! I have the heta inspire 45 and absolutely love it - I've never had a stove that comes close to being as easy to love with
It would have been really grate (pun intended) to list them in the description with links to your review as I enjoy your reviews. They are almost as relaxing as my watching my clearview but more informative.🙂 I am still new and learning how much can you load a stove, I worry about a burning pyre collapse against the glass. Merry Christmas.
I did have links to all the reviews on the actual video, they would pop up when I announced each stove. I should of put them in the description too though!
We’re all still learning, but don’t be scared to experiment. If it all goes wrong and something leans against the glass it’ll either just burn up or you’ll move it. Don’t panic about it, at the end of the day this is just a glorified box with a bonfire inside it!
Any luck with the Ambition deliveries. Beginning to think I should have a backup plan and that’s back to convincing my better half on the dean forge looks
I believe there are timescales with basically everything including Dean Forge stoves generally. It’s just that time of year. Good luck with the stove though!
i have just gotten a soapstone version of the jydepejsen cosmo 1147
have you heared of this brand , and what is your opinion of it ?
and why are the close to none soapstone models reviews here ?
ps like your channel
I am getting my stove fitted in a different place now so I don’t need the clearances it will be in the room with a purpose built twin wall. Which stoves would you recommend at around 1000 quid ? The company did briefly mention hunter. Would appreciate you opinion and advice. Many thanks x
Hi Gabriel
Love all the reviews its certainly put in a few dark winter nights watching them all. I am thinking of installing a wood burner/multi fuel stove in our kitchen that is always cold. Being in the kitchen its not going to be the primary source of heat or the main part of the house we live but hopefully will warm the area and help stop the cold drafts we experience during winter, am considering the a number of options: stovax futura, heta inspire 45 or solution 5 or 7 all multi fuel although i do have a good supply of logs
Regards Anthony
I would drop the solution given your intended wood use. The Heta is obviously lovely, but quite costly and given your use, is it worth it (same with the Stovax)??? I would add in some lower cost wood stoves as these will give you good fuel economy as well as suiting your use and not costing extra money. Things like:
Hunter Allure
Saltfire Peanut
ACR woodpecker
Woodford Didsbury
Etc.
You could stick with the others you’ve mentioned, there is no downside other than the initial outlay. I suppose they would be a bit of a Chelsea Tractor 😆
You are clearly very Impressed with Heta. What do you think of their inset models. Can I assume the Heta Classic, for example, would perform as well as the Heta 45?
What is your favourite 5-6 KW insert that will take 400mm+ logs?
I find some of them a little bit and miss. The Panorama is superb, but the Inspire 40 inset isn’t quite as nicely engineered, finished or as controlled.
I expect the classic to be excellent, but I haven’t used it yet.
In terms of others, I’ve just started testing some insets, and just been sent another to test. These stoves are by their very nature compromised, but there are some excellent stoves out there.
@@TheTortoise Thank you. In what way are Insets compromised and which manufacturers are making the best fist at resolving the compromises. On the subject of efficiency, I see some manufacturers quote gross efficiency and others net. What's the difference and is it significant?
@@BM-vt3ri The main compromise is that the whole thing is built into a wall, so lots of heat goes into the masonry and is therefore far slower to get into the room. The best stoves tend to be more square shaped stoves with a good convection gap all around the stove. The insets that are built half in and half out tend to be the worst in terms of heat output strangely. The other thing that you can do is insulate the stove (only possible when it is being fitted into a fireplace that is bigger than the stove itself), as this will allow the convection chamber to retain its heat and have a stronger convection current around the room.
In terms of efficiency the difference is potentially significant and worth looking at. Gross efficiency is taking the energy you've put into your stove (the amount of wood) and working out how much heat went up the chimney, the rest obviously came into the room. The net efficiency however bears in mind all the other variables such as:
Particulates, how much ash was left, how much heat went up the chimney and other minor losses of energy through anything other than heat to the room.
Net efficiency is definitely the more relevant to any of us, but don't forget efficiency figures definitely aren't what determines a good stove. The trouble with them is that if you get 90%, but you get it all within 45 minutes then it is annoying if you want to keep the stove lit for longer periods. There is a balance between efficiency and controllability and for a lot of people it is worth losing some efficiency for better control or a longer burn, it certainly is for me. It's such a tricky subject because efficiency figures can make rubbish stoves look really good, and also brilliant stoves can look awful.
great video's! I watch them all. Have you ever had any experience with Charlton & Jenrick fireline woodtec 5?
I am in discussion with Charlton and Jenrick regarding a few reviews, they are just struggling with stock.
The Woodtec looks interesting and looking at the design I would it’s made in the same factory as the PureVision stoves. I’d need to try it to know.
Firstly, like your reviews, great work 👌 but I would like to see a review on the Clock blithfield Stoves.
Cheers Shaun
Clock are currently making me a stove for review. Their order book is full, but they are building an extra one to send over.
Forgive how long it is taking, but it is on its way!
Great channel, thank you.
Please would you do a video on woodburner temperatures? My stove (Pioneer 400) temperature varies depending where I measure it, the hottest being directly in front of the flue on top of the stove. I note the Saltfire in this video has a thermometer on the flue, approximately 6 inches above the stove. If the the burner were to run to the higher limit in this position the top of the stove surely is in danger of overheating? There is so little credible information out there, your contribution would, I’m sure be of great value!
Thermometers are designed to read the temperature from 6-12” above the stove on the pipe. If the thermometer is reading the correct temperature at that point, then the rest of the stove is also correct.
However very high efficiency appliances like the Burley are starting to throw that off, but with most stoves it’s still correct.
Maybe a daft question but which 5kw multi fuel stove gives out the most heat? I watched yout video about the kw and how the 5kw the is claimed may not be true due to how its governed. We would have it installed but dont want the air brick option.
The biggest multi-fuel we’ve encountered is the Clock Blithfield, which has the potential of achieving 9kw. However don’t buy too much into the word “multi-fuel”. This is a salesman’s word that doesn’t always mean what you expect. The truth is all stoves are multi-fuel, after all they’re just a metal box. But coal burning stoves tend to be very wasteful with wood, less controllable and greedier with fuel. Very few people would therefore buy your stove, if you called it a “coal burner”, hence the word multi-fuel arrived. Simply a marketing word designed by manufacturers of coal burners to increase their sales.
It is therefore vastly better to buy a wood focused stove if you intend to burn mainly wood, or a coal focused stove if you’re burning coal. The Clock is a genuine m/f, and a very good one, but this is VERY much the exception, not the rule.
What about reviewing the Dunsley Advance 500, a lot of installers rate that stove.
I contacted Dunsley and they were very disinterested 😬. I’ve no doubt that if potential customers requested it with them they may be more interested, but to be honest I just thought I’ve got enough to think about right now.
What would you choose between open fire and stove, if you had to pick? Taking everything in account inc atmosphere, efficiency, cost etc.
Ooo, that’s tricky. For me it would definitely be stoves, I’d have to disown my family before I committed that kind of treason😆.
Stoves are so much better in every way other than the sound and living nature of an open fire. Particularly for the majority of people open fires really aren’t sustainable or clean enough.
We have our fire lit morning to night at the minute and it's great. I love the atmosphere it gives to the house, even though it uses a lot of fuel. I'm not bothered about the eco side of it either.
I have bought a stove after researching, and learning all the benefits of them but am really wondering whether I'd be making a mistake to replace a perfectly good open fire with it.
My other thought is to put it in the kitchen with a twin wall chimney and then have the best of both worlds.
Decisions decisions!
@@desb9639 replacing the open fire is definitely the sensible option. Twin wall flues can’t work as well as proper chimneys and fitting to a chimney is always lower cost. The twin wall system will work, but the existing chimney is always my first pick.
@@TheTortoise ok thanks for the info, I didn't know the twin wall systems didn't work as well as a proper chimney.
Can you do a video with info about flue liners please?
Thanks for all the videos and information you provide, it's been super helpful so far.
well done thanks
Hi Gabriel
Some advice please.
We had a Heta scanline 7 or something like that a few years ago (bought second hand). It was our first effort at a wood burning stove and we loved it BUT it proved to be very expensive to run. Even with it shut down to the minimum, we couldn't get it to just tick over (probably due to Defra interference?), and as for stacking it for overnight, forget it. Couple of hours and it was gone.
We are moving soon into a pretty standard, old 3 bed semi and would like to install another stove but are concerned about running costs with wood being so expensive and our previous experience with the last one burning through wood like it was going out of fashion.
So, as it stands I'm thinking a multi-fuel may be a better option as i'm told that coal burns hotter and for a lot longer. Is this true and would it be more economical than wood alone?
However, after watching some of your videos so far (excellent by the way), it appears you are a great fan of just using wood and give the impression that it's economical. Have the new wood burning stoves come a long way now, to make it economical to burn wood? I'm concerned that due to Defra regulations, it will keep burning more fiercely than we would like.
We are only going to get one shot at getting the right stove, so could you suggest a stove that is economical to run with good controllability, reliable and a sensible price (ideally under £1k)?
I would still like a multifuel if possible, just to have the option (although i'm now a little concerned about the acid eating through the liner and us not knowing about it).
The room that would need to be heated primarily is 12' x 12'.
Please forgive the wall of questions (that's the short version too). Any advice would be much appreciated.
Smokeless fuel (coal based fuel) doesn’t get as hot as wood and whilst it can burn for a long time, you can also get wood to burn for long periods. The key thing is the internal design, if you’re burning coal you need a grate and air from below. If you’re burning wood you want no lower air and to burn in the ash with no grate or ash pan.
Getting a stove with a grate (multi-fuel) and then burning wood on it is a total waste, because the stove will not be economical with wood.
The main way to get the best fuel economy is to do as much of the work as possible. Getting a newly cut or fallen tree could well be free, but it requires you to:
Cut
Chop
Store
And dry the fuel
If you do this, you can run your stove for free. Essentially the less work you do the more it will end up costing.
I always favour wood because, the world is running towards renewable fuels, you can potentially get it for free and with modern appliances you can get wood to burn for long periods too.
I would forget coal, but a good wood burner and then learn the techniques for long burn times (my how to burn overnight video will get you started with this).
Good stoves to consider for this, that I have tested, are:
Hunter Herald Allure 4
Burley 4kw
Charnwood country 4
Aduro 16 (you might find one going cheap as they stopped making it)
These are all very competent stoves for serious use and can be found for less than £1,000. But as mentioned the biggest affect on cost of running will be:
How you buy your fuel
And your long burning technique.
@@TheTortoise Many thanks for taking the time to explain in detail, thank you.
I have pretty much decided to go for the Allure and not worry about getting a multifuel burner now.
However, should the wife decide she wants to chuck the odd bit of smokeless fuel in with the logs, would that do any harm?
@@prestonian1066 definitely no problem at all. Chuck the smokeless on, it’ll be fine!
but the HETA stoves are not clear skies certified?? Or does that not matter?
Clear Skies is a private rating system, not dissimilar to a “Which” rating. It’s not that they don’t matter, but not having it also doesn’t mean that the product is bad.
Heta stoves are obviously superb, but for now at least they haven’t paid to get the ClearSkies badge.
As these stoves are very similar in their contemporary appearance, could you recommend maybe a few of the best 5kw ‘traditional’ looking stoves with similar attributes to the stoves featured in this video?
Very informative channel. Thanks!
The Dean Forge Croft is worth looking at, but I’m hoping to look at some more traditional stoves in 2023, because you’re right this segment is a little under represented.
As an alternative to the Heat Ambition 5 for the most economical stove to run, what would be you second best choice?
The Burley stove was good, the Inspire and the Ivar too.
@@TheTortoise Thank you.
Hi would you go for Heta inspire 5 or Dik ivar 5?
Good question. If I'm burning only wood then the DG should have the edge. But if I want flexibility or am not focused on serious use then the Inspire is the most beautifully finished and refined.
I am looking for 5kw multifuel stove, looking at SaltFire Classic or Stx5??? Some people recommend Ecosy??!!
Would like easy stove to use as well as the one which retain heat. Please help. 🤔 🤔 🤔
When you say retains heat, are you wanting a stove for serious and overnight use?
@@TheTortoise yes. Never had stove, so much out there and keep looking, head spinning..... 🤔 🤔 🤔 Please help. Thank you 🙏
Is the Hunter Herald Allure 4 stove ok for the occasional overnight burn?
Yea, it’s more than capable. Have a look at my “how to run overnight video” and you’ll get there no problem.
@@TheTortoise Thanks. Getting ours installed in a couple of weeks. Canny wait. The waiting list was long.
@@psisky awesome, it’ll be exciting!
I’ve got the ekol clarity double sided I would love to see a proper review on it nothing for that or much on double sided on the internets I’m a novice with it really
That’s one of the last double sided stoves still made. I would like to try them out, the only hiccough is it’s the only type of stove I don’t have a place to put one.
Awesome content. I’ve heard most installers go for Heta stoves but also heard that Woodwarm stoves are the Rolls Royce when it comes to stoves.
I’m in the deciding stages of picking a suitable stove and still unsure if I should go with a multi fuel, or wood only.
I will be using it mainly after work but will likely have it running all day on the weekends and over night if possible. I live in a 4 bedroom detached house with my stove going in a chimney.
Majority of people are telling me to go multi for the versatility but then I watched your video explaining that a wood only will burn much better is persuading me.
For me I’m looking for something serious! I want it to be very controllable.
What would you recommend if you don’t mind me asking because I’m torn.
Heta Inspire 45
Heta Ambition 5
Woodwarm fireview
Clock
Contura
I’m testing a Clock quite soon so I will be able to give a better view of them soon.
Particularly nowadays I would be inclined to go for a wood burner as the flexibility people are describing is mostly clever marketing (a bit like when they say a 4x4 is great on and off road. Generally this isn’t true they’re miles better at one than the other, and the ones that are quite good at both cost a lot of money).
I also need to try the Woodwarm, but of course they also produce wood only stoves. And there’s only 1 reason why they would, there must be an advantage.
The ones I have tested are the Heta and a Contura and given your use I would buy one of the Heta stoves. However it wouldn’t surprise me if wood only Woodwarm was also a great choice. The Clock is obviously multi-fuel and I’m looking forward to seeing how it works, but I haven’t got anything to base off at the moment.
@@TheTortoise Cheers for the reply. It’s crazy because majority on certain Facebook groups all say to go multi fuel, but I agree with your logic.
I thought all Woodwarm stoves were multi ?
@@d1ppaz they certainly have multi-fuel and Wood only options on their website, but I must admit I haven’t used or paid much attention to Woodwarm in the past so it may be worth a chat with them.
@@TheTortoise I’ll give them a call tomorrow and see what Modena they have.
In your opinion, what’s the better and more efficient stove out of the Heta inspire 45/Ambition 5 and Charnwood air ?
@@d1ppaz the Heta stoves will win from a function point of view, but it depends how important that is. The Charnwood is also more expensive but it is British made, very exclusive and does have a great look and feel.
Heta inspire 45 is £1300!!!!
Are you familiar with the henley aran 5kw stove?
Yes I am. It has a bit of a long and strange history. Originally this design came from the original Aga Little Wenlock, and it has since been remade (often in China or Waterford Stanley in Ireland). It’s really a coal burner, so not great with wood, but it does what it does. I’m surprised they’ve managed to get it through modern regs, so I’d be interested to try it one day.
@@TheTortoise Thanks very much fir the reply. I've bought one here in Ireland, didn't realise it wasn't great with wood though. Thanks again for the informative reply 👍
@@hairyjute no worries at all. If you’ve got one and you burn wood then the thing to do is to keep a good bed of ash in it. That way you’ll prevent air under the fuel which is what causes a faster burn rate with wood.
@@TheTortoise Amazing thanks very much for the tip!! Big fan of the channel, I have learned loads from 🙂
@@hairyjute excellent, really glad it’s been useful!
We got installed Ecosy+ Rock 5 Landscape stove, and from day 1 to today, as soon u open the door to refuel u can see, and smell the smoke enter the living room, very disapointed, contacted twise Ecosy manufacturer, so far no call back..
We raised extra 1 meter twinwall flue up, but still smoke enters when re-fuel, we do believe its a twin baffle restriction too much draft what cause this smoke issues...
Have u had any issues with smoke entering the room with Heta Ambition 5 stove, since its have very large door?
We mainly burn seasoned logs, heat logs, and looking stove for longest burn time capability.
Any chance to made a video in the future on ESSE 175 model stove?
Definitely interested in working with Esse. We were chatting this year, but it got so busy that no one could keep up. We’ll hopefully put something together in 2023.
The Ambition 5 does spill smoke quite easily, but once you get used to how it works you can avoid it. If you only re-load it when the fire has burned down to red charcoal then you don’t get any spill at all. There is also a lighting technique which improves lighting issues, but as I say in my review, it’s not an easy stove to use, but it is superb once you’ve learned it.
New stoves, and particularly twin wall flues are not always easy and coupled with it being cold, you’re trying to learn something hard, at the hardest time.
This issue is very unlikely to have anything to do with the stove and is more likely to be down to either the flue m, fuel or technique. Either way the installer should be able to answer this, if his conclusion is the stove then I’d believe him, but 98% of the time it is a flue, fuel or user issue.
The user issue will be a pretty simple solve and nearly everyone struggles with this at the start. Again fuel is an easy check and correct, and the flue design is down to the fitter. I hope you get some help from them, but come back to me if you’re still struggling after going through the motions.
Good luck!