WhatStove?

Review of Clearview 750 stove

Clearview's monster

Peter Mahaffey 12 years ago

We've bought 4 new Clearviews over the past 20 years and use them to heat a large, leak-heat-like-a-sieve, house we own in the Black Forest. So we know them well. The 750 is their top of the range for heat production and it certainly throws out the energy. Do NOT buy this size unless you're sure your room is big enough or you'll be beaten back into the corner. We use ours in a large entrance hall positioned so that the heated air percolates up the stairway and produces remarkable gentle warmth throughout the first floor. In fact if you don't mind cool (but not cold) bedrooms then if you leave the doors open during the evening then by the time you retire all the bedrooms will be nicely comfortable without being stuffy. And the air will be beautifully dry. Another reason for not getting this stove if you're unsure of your space cubic meter-age is that it really runs best and most efficiently (as do all wood-burners) when pushed along at 300-350C. This is a big stove to get to slumber but despite the reports that overnight burning is difficult, it certainly can be done. The trick is a generous bed of hot glowing ashes, then put on a nice heavy 65cm log or two and turn down. I use my index finger to gauge the right size of air-intake. Shut down the left-hand air-intake fully, stick your hand down the right-hand side of the stove along the floor (where its not that hot) until you reach the circulating air-wash control aperture. Stick your finger through half an inch and close the control lever gently onto your finger (male finger!). THAT's the amount of air you'll need to allow the stove to stay in successfully all night and with a bit of experience its not difficult to be able to resurrect the stove as long as 12 hours later with a bit of kindling preceding bigger logs. This is a good stove for big space heating. It comes with flat top, low peak or high peak but of course with either of the latter two you do lose the ability to use the stove for occasional cooking.\n\n

Stove expert replied: Buying a large stove that is always burning slowly is not recommended as it is inefficient and causes problems in the flue with tar residues building up. Overnight burning is also less efficient if you are wishing to be green.

Overall rating:

4 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 4.4)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 4.6)
Value for money 4 flames (avg 4)
Ease of use 4 flames (avg 4.5)
Ease of lighting 4 flames (avg 4.6)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.6)
How well does the airwash work 4 flames (avg 4.3)
Controllability 3 flames (avg 4.5)
Handle operation 3 flames (avg 4)
How likely are you to buy it again? 4 flames (avg 4.5)
What is your overall satisfaction? 4 flames (avg 4.5)