WhatStove?

Review of Aarrow Acorn 5 stove

Good value, simple stove

Bob O'Brian 10 years ago

Bought this to replace an open fire; installed into a clay lined 9" flue. No problems with draw or lighting making it easy to use. Seems very efficient and does not go through a lot of wood.

The firebox is small which is a mixed blessing. Wood has to be cut right down, but on the other hand it is easy to get up to a really efficient high temperature. I have had the grate glowing red when it's been blowing a gale outside.

The heat output was sufficient for a 6x3m living room and adjoining kitchen of same size- quite impressive.

Being steel it is under 50kg and therefore much easier to get delivered by a courier. Also easy to install. However the 4" flue size is unusual and could make getting flue parts trickier.

I am about to move house and will probably not buy the same stove again. I have tried out a Morso Squirrel and find that the more expensive stove is easier to control and the glass keeps cleaner. I think that rotary controls are better than sliding ones; it is not possible to truly shut off the vents on the Aarrow. Having said that, it represents great value for money.

One other thing- it is a very sturdy piece of kit. I once unthinkingly threw in a piece of wood which had a metal fitting bolted on. The fitting contained a ball valve which exploded a few minutes later. The blast popped the top flue blanking plate off the stove, but the door and the glass remained intact. Scared me but the stove was absolutely fine!

Stove expert replied: As you say you are having trouble controlling the stove in windy conditions it would be worth investing in a damper or stabilizer so that control can be insured as if left unchecked damage to the unit can occur as it is being subjected to higher than normal working conditions during these periods. This can lead to component failure or in the worse case distortion of the stove body and as you have recognised this it would benefit from be corrected. The blanking plate should not have been able to come off as it should be inserted and twisted to lock it in place, however it is lucky that it did come off and not injure anyone or anything as the glass would otherwise have broken due to the explosion.

Overall rating:

4 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 2)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 2)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 2.5)
Ease of use 4 flames (avg 2)
Ease of lighting 4 flames (avg 2)
Firebox size 2 flames (avg 1)
How well does the airwash work 2.5 flames (avg 1.3)
Controllability 3.5 flames (avg 1.8)
Handle operation 4.5 flames (avg 2.3)
How likely are you to buy it again? 4 flames (avg 2)
What is your overall satisfaction? 4 flames (avg 2)