WhatStove?

Review of Harmony 13 stove

One to avoid?

Thomas Coronwen 14 years ago

I have a Morso Squirrel in one fireplace and one of these in the other. They are chalk and cheese and this is definitely the chalk.

Firstly it is not multifuel. It has a riddling grate, yes, but it only works when it's cold. The moment it heats up it expands and gets stuck. My local stove retailer admitted they will only sell it as a woodburner for exactly that reason.

The operating controls are housed behind a bottom door which tends to be left open when the stove is in use. But they do not look pretty - very industrial. And the operating tool is just a rather naff big allen key with a wooden sleeve. The handle of the main door is brass so you have to put on a fireglove every time you open it when the stove is running.

The glass isn't - it's some ceramic material and goes misty over time ... says it will in the manual.

And it is sold with a flue protector for use if the top outlet is used. Very fiddly if you expect to sweep the chimney from inside the stove. And surely better design would make a flue protector unnecessary.

All's fine when it comes to actual lighting and burning - it's just a pain to operate. All in all, too clever for its own good.

Overall rating:

2.5 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 4.8)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 4.7)
Value for money 3 flames (avg 4)
Ease of use 1 flames (avg 4.2)
Ease of lighting 3 flames (avg 4.5)
Firebox size 3 flames (avg 3.6)
How well does the airwash work 3 flames (avg 4.1)
Controllability 3 flames (avg 4.3)
Handle operation 1 flames (avg 3.6)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 4.2)
What is your overall satisfaction? 1 flames (avg 4.2)