WhatStove?

Review of Huntington 30 Stovax stove

over priced

Adam Mears 11 years ago

I have owned a enamel green Huntingdon 30 multi-fuel stove since Jan 2008 (5 years now). I have burnt wood most of the time (c.85%) and smokeless fuel for the remaining time. The stove looks lovely. It is incredibly heavy and well built, as you would expect - this is not a cheap stove! However there are several problems with both the design and the finish, as follows:

a) the riddle does not work properly - after just 2 burns the ash works its way under the back firebrick and fills in the gap which allows the riddle bars to move back and forth. For the riddle to work I would have to do a full clean out (removing all firebricks and riddle bars) after every burn. I checked with a Gazco engineer who was replacing parts under guarantee, and he confirmed the stove has been correctly installed

b) It is not easy to light - I have to open the door of the ash tray for a long time (always >15 minutes) if I want the fire to really take. It then takes a long time to heat up (compared to our other two stoves) but I think this is due to the solidity and weight of the Stovax - once it is up to heat, it does throw it out. As a note, I use the same fuel source in my other stoves, against which I am comparing the performance of the stovax.

c) within 10 months of receiving the stove the enamel cracked off the top. Stovax did accept liability and replace the whole top plate, but only after many calls and many failed appointements for their engineer to turn up. On one occasion he arrived but didn't have some parts he needed. On another occasion he just didn't turn up at the agreed time. It took 4 months and 3 attempts and many many calls and emails to get this replacement.

d) the enamel is now cracking off the replacement stove top. Stovax technical dept take anything up to 1/2 hour to answer the phone and their customer service just is not up to scratch.

In summary, a beautiful looking stove. Once up to heat it works well. But I would expect better design and finish quality from such an expensive stove. I would not but Stovax again.

Overall rating:

3 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 3.1)
Quality of finish 2 flames (avg 2.7)
Value for money 1 flames (avg 2.1)
Ease of use 2 flames (avg 2.6)
Ease of lighting 2 flames (avg 2.9)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 3.1)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 3.3)
Controllability 4 flames (avg 2.9)
Handle operation 3 flames (avg 3.1)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 2)
What is your overall satisfaction? 2 flames (avg 2.3)