WhatStove?

Review of Cast Tech Vulcan 8 stove

Fill her up

7 years ago

When we first got this stove we found it hard to get a good heat output from it but we soon realised that it wasn't the stoves fault, it was ours. We simply hadn't been feeding the stove enough fuel. So if you buy one make sure that once the fire is established you fill the firebox up to the top of the (somewhat ugly) firebricks, open the airwash for a bit until things look like the dragon from the hobbit has woken up and then close it down and enjoy the many hours of heat it provides. One other thing.. I find it best to be lazy with ash pan maintenance, the more ash you have the easier it is to get a fire going. Other than that we needed an adapter to attach the flue to the liner and the door handle is a bit naff but all in all we are happy with the Vulcan.

Stove expert replied: Be mindful not to let the ash build up so that it touches the base of the firebox, grate, this can lead to a shortening of the life as it is then getting cooked from both sides whereas it needs to maintain a good an air flow ! Nice to note that you have learnt how to get the best from the appliance and you only get out what you put in so little fuel in little heat out and vice versa!

Overall rating:

4 flames

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