WhatStove?

Review of Charnwood Island III stove

Great for wood - Terrible for coal

Richard

The Island IIIB is a very attractive stove. Generally very well made.

The stove burns wood beautifully with easy to use controls. Heating the lounge and providing hot water to our thermal store.

However, we bought the stove with a view to burning mainly coal. Although it will burn coal; the heat output is abysmal and the fire eventually dies out. The design of the stove is such that the air does not seem to draw sufficiently through the grate. The manufacturer now seems to conceed this, suggesting we burn coal and wood together to keep the fire going.

We are now looking to replace the stove with a different model. Any suggestions for a replacement would be gratefully received.

Please note if you are looking for a solely wood burning boiler stove I can still recommend this product. However, I am very disappointed as I feel it has been missold as multifuel stove.

Stove expert replied: There are multifuel boilers available but this doea seem strange. Have you tried other smokeless fuels as they do vary and an alternative may improve things.

Overall rating:

3 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 3.6)
Value for money 2 flames (avg 2.6)
Ease of use 1 flames (avg 3.3)
Ease of lighting 4 flames (avg 3.3)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.1)
How well does the airwash work 3 flames (avg 2.5)
Controllability 4 flames (avg 3.4)
Handle operation 3 flames (avg 3.5)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 2.7)
What is your overall satisfaction? 1 flames (avg 2.5)