WhatStove?

Review of Stratford TF 50 stove

A problem solved

Rob Kennedy 14 years ago

I have reviewed this stove before and am still using the same stove. I had a problem with not being able to slumber the fuel when i changed from anthracite to briteheat. I had also burned 2 tons of wood through the unit over 2009/10 winter before going back to anthracite (found a supplier again) then briteheat.\n\nAnyway i replaced the door seals they needed doing anyway and this did not cure the problem. The obvious fault causing this would be the damper not closing but i had inspected this (without removing side cover) and thought it was ok. I decided to remove the side cover and found that the pivoting damper flap was stiff and not making a 100% seal. I cleaned the flap, hoovered out all the dust and freed the flap by moving it forwards and backwards. This freed it up but then the damper flap seal gasket dropped off the damper. I used stove rope glue to refit and this solved the problem.\n\nStill using briteheat instead of wood as the weather warms up and stove is still going strong providing loads of boiling water for baths and maintaining the house temperature. I wish Arrow would put their eco boiler stove through the excemption test (replacement for this stove) to make it legal to use burning wood in a smoke control areas.

Overall rating:

4 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 3.7)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 4)
Value for money 4 flames (avg 4.1)
Ease of use 4 flames (avg 3.9)
Ease of lighting 4 flames (avg 4.1)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 3.6)
How well does the airwash work 4 flames (avg 3.5)
Controllability 4 flames (avg 4)
Handle operation 4 flames (avg 3.9)
How likely are you to buy it again? 4 flames (avg 4)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4)