WhatStove?

Review of Clearview Pioneer 400 stove

Two very happy owners and an extremely contented cat

7 years ago

Having now owned this stove for a year, I now feel able to write a review. We spent months researching various makes of stoves, their heat output, size including the firebox and costs, eventually settling on this make and model following a discussion with a local supplier on why this make and model and not that one.

We have found this make and model very sturdy, the only little grumble is how hot the handle gets, hence the need to use the gloves, that are supplied with it. It wasn't cheap but we feel you get what you pay for. The stove is extremely easy to use, on initial lighting both air inlets are fully open, with the wheel one being closed gradually as the fire takes hold and brings the stove up to temperature. The secondary air inlet is gradually pushed in once the stove is between 240 and 350 centigrade, keeping the glass clean. Occasionally it has sooted up but it is easy to clean with a damp bit of kitchen towel dipped in the wood ashes. We have burnt wood and heat logs in it both have been very good. If I want to bring the stove up to temperature and keep it there I have tended to use heat logs. It took a bit of getting our heads round in terms of not needing many heat logs to bring it up to temperature. I have used the stove to cook on and in using the ash pan for jacket potatoes, you just need to remember the heat that is being generated - on one occasion the jacket potatoes were like little lumps of carbon, smoking away! It has heated our whole house - 3 bed detached to the extent we have rarely put our central heating on and when we have, we have had to turn the radiators of in the room with the stove in it. I would recommend a temperature gauge and a stove top fan. Has it saved us any money in terms of our heating bills, yes in term of our gas bill going down but offset that against buying wood and heat logs, probably not. It has given us hours of pleasure watching the flames in the stove- we even spend time talking to each other rather than having the TV on - the cat loves it too, he comes in looks in the stove to see if there are any flames then claims his pitch which can be anywhere from in front of it to on the couch between us- he sulks when it is not lit!

I would recommend this stove and buy another without any hesitation

Overall rating:

5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4.7)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 4.7)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 4.3)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.2)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Handle operation 3 flames (avg 4.2)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 4.5)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4.5)