WhatStove?

Review of Hunter Herald 80b boiler stove

Good and bad

Julian Leyton 9 years ago

Our experience is very much like Emma, with her 'unimpressed' below.

We have a reasonably spacious 3 bedroom house with 3 downstairs radiators and 6 upstairs.

Originally I burnt just wood but when I found myself using a whole load in just over a week I switched to coal. A while later I found the baffle and some of the riddle bars distorted and, back in the days when Hunter would actually respond directly to customers, they advised me that coal burn too hot and I should use smokeless fuel (at extra cost).

Now, with smokeless fuel, our house is reasonably warm - no more - but I have to use at least 25 kgs of fuel every day (even when not particularly cold) costing us a similar amount to our previous oil burner.

It looks good and gives a pleasant heat in the room where it is sited, however had I realised in advance just how much fuel it would use (and how much ash that would create) plus how long it takes before it is hot enough for the pump to feed the radiators (all manufacturer instructions adhered to) then I am not sure we would have changed from oil to this multi fuel burner.

Overall rating:

3 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 2.7)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 2.8)
Value for money 3 flames (avg 2.5)
Ease of use 2 flames (avg 3.1)
Ease of lighting 2 flames (avg 3.2)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 4.1)
How well does the airwash work 3 flames (avg 3)
Controllability 3 flames (avg 3.6)
Handle operation 4 flames (avg 3.4)
How likely are you to buy it again? 2 flames (avg 2.5)
What is your overall satisfaction? 2 flames (avg 2.7)