WhatStove?

Review of Stratford TF90 stove

Big output, big appetite.

Andrew Thompson 11 years ago

We chose this stove as it is the only domestic stove we found with a substantial boiler output. It is linked to our central heating, underfloor heating and hot water via a Dunsley Baker neutraliser. This allows heat from 2 seperate sources to be connected without inducing any crossflow through the system. It also means we can start the central heating running on the oil boiler bfore we wake up, then stoke up the stove when get up, which can then maintain the heat in the system.We tried to get all the radiators going from cold just using the stove, but it took about 4 hours to heat up so we don't bother trying that anymore.

It is worth mentioning that if you are trying to run the entire heating system from the stove then you will consume a lot of wood! We have found that just keeping the underfloor heating and water hot will consume about a barrow load of wood per day, but double that if trying to keep rads hot as well.

The stove is fairly easy to keep in overnight using a large log; the key is to let fire die right back to a small bed of embers before loading the banking log on.

My only gripe is that the secondary air does not have a sufficient amount of pre-heating,(compared to for example a Clearview)this means it is difficult to clear any soot off glass once established, and more importantly reduces efficiency of the burn. I had wanted to install a Clearview after seeing it in operation in four of my friend's houses, but their boiler output is puny.

Overall, it has been a successful installation. It would just be nice if Aarrow had put a bit more effort into improving the secondary air pre-heating.

I am planning to improvise some ducting to utilise hot air around the flue, and hopefully channel it to front of stove where the intake is. I'll let you know...

You can see my stove in action on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6SRQjQGJUo&list=UUDTMRQebeJuYuIaKj4oFkhg&index=2&feature=plcp

Stove expert replied: This may be a large stove with a big appetite but to get the output it needs the large amount of fuel so not surprising!!

Overall rating:

4.5 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 3.6)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 3.5)
Value for money 4 flames (avg 3.4)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 3.7)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.2)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.3)
How well does the airwash work 3 flames (avg 2.8)
Controllability 4 flames (avg 3.4)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 3.7)
How likely are you to buy it again? 4 flames (avg 3)
What is your overall satisfaction? 4 flames (avg 3.2)