WhatStove?

Review of Charnwood Island III stove

island 3

D George 12 years ago

I've had an Island 3 for few years now and am happy with it. The 3 means you can put very large lumps of wood on which saves time and energy having to cut every thing down to size. Yes the glass gets dirty but after all it is a fire, every now and then, if you are that fussy, simply lift doors off and wipe on oven pride jelly and seal in bag provided over night then clean off with cloth comes off in seconds. Or sometimes give it a good burn on full choke to clean. The heat is very good I have a 25ft by 19ft living room with a cold stone wall construction and it does the job. Parts are easy to get and reasonably priced my wife forced door shut on what must have been half a tree and cracked glass, had one within 2 days in post and it only took 5 mins to fit easily. Built mine with twin wall steel flue which is internal through house then out of roof acts like radiator in house.

Stove expert replied: Do not use anything but glass cleaner, woodash or a cloth dipped in vinegar otherwise a chemical reaction may occur with the casting of the door. Burn only dry seasoned timber of not more than 100mm diam and you should have clean glass all day long. Always give a woodburner short periods of fast burn at least twice in every 24 hours to clean off an residues that are produced in the slow burning periods.

Overall rating:

4 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 4)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 3.6)
Value for money 4 flames (avg 2.6)
Ease of use 4 flames (avg 3.3)
Ease of lighting 3 flames (avg 3.3)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.1)
How well does the airwash work 1 flames (avg 2.5)
Controllability 4 flames (avg 3.4)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 3.5)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 2.7)
What is your overall satisfaction? 4 flames (avg 2.5)