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Review of Firebelly FB2 stove

Firebelly FB2

Geoff Barrs 12 years ago

We've had our FB2 for 4 years now and it still looks as good as the day we had it put in.\nEasy to light and it's '0-60' time is very good, i.e. from lighting to good output is only a few minutes.\nEasy to keep clean and de-ash due to the lack of crevices for ash to get into, although I run on old ash for several burns before it needs clearing out.\nIt got us through 3 days of power cuts 2 winters ago and for that I will always love it!\n\nMinor niggles - yes the controls can be jerky and sometimes the allen bolt that secures the door handle can work loose - for that reason I use the correct size allen key to operate the controls so that it is always handy.\nAlso the amount of heat into the room could be higher, but I think our chimney is too well flued and a lot of heat escapes up that.\nIf you don't set the controls correctly (i.e. leave full airwash on and bottom flue open), then it will burn through an average sized log in minutes.\n\nOther than that it has been great and looks good when working or not.\nWould recommend to anyone\n\n

Stove expert replied: You may be able to get a locking nut to secure the door handle and this would stop this annoying problem. If the stove appears to be working hard and the amount of heat produced is poor it may be that your chimney has to high a draw and will need some control on to calm it down. May be worth investigating this also.

Overall rating:

3.5 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 3.9)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 3.8)
Value for money 2 flames (avg 3.2)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 3.8)
Ease of lighting 4 flames (avg 4)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 4.4)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 3.4)
Controllability 4 flames (avg 3.4)
Handle operation 3 flames (avg 3.9)
How likely are you to buy it again? 4 flames (avg 3.8)
What is your overall satisfaction? 4 flames (avg 3.7)