WhatStove?

Review of hunter Herald 5 slimline stove

Not so HOT Hunter

Chris Verburg 10 years ago

After Reading reviews here we chose a Hunter Herald Slimline stove. We've been using it for about a month now and the heat is decidedly disappointing.

After reading reviews about the whole house being heated, or the downstairs I expected so much more. We've followed Instructions on lighting how to use it but it barely warms the room.

We can get the fire going and put in our logs which start to burn well so we close the bottom vent, half close the top one and the fire goes out after about half an hour, if we leave the top vent open it makes no difference the fire just goes out leaving partial burnt logs.

Are doing something wrong? Or are the reviews exaggerated?

We've tried a number of different logs, hardwood last longer and the fire is hot to touch, but I'm sitting here in my coat!

Would buying "proper" logs from someone like Certainly Wood help?

Also the handle is faulty, though the fire door definitely does close.

Stove expert replied: Is the flue lined? Is the wood being used dry and seasoned with a moisture content of less than 20%? If you leave the bottom vent open a little does this help to maintain the fires momentum or try leaving the top vent fully open with the bottom closed once the fire is established. Logs that are no bigger than 100mm (4inch) diam should be used. Is this is a room that is well insulated where little air circulates as an airbrick may be required (depends on insulation, double glazing, cavity wall insulation etc)

Overall rating:

2 flames

Build Quality 3 flames (avg 3.9)
Quality of finish 3 flames (avg 4)
Value for money 1 flames (avg 3.7)
Ease of use 1 flames (avg 3.9)
Ease of lighting 3 flames (avg 4.3)
Firebox size 3 flames (avg 3.6)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 4.2)
Controllability 1 flames (avg 3.8)
Handle operation 1 flames (avg 3.8)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 3.5)
What is your overall satisfaction? 2 flames (avg 3.6)