WhatStove?

Review of Woodwarm Fireview 12kw

Fantastic Stove – so pleased.

J,A, &TheBear 6 years ago

We recently had the PLUS 12kw version of this stove fitted - essentially the same specification as the standard 12kw, but with the bigger door and glass from the 16kw stove to enable an even fuller view of the fire.

In a large open plan conversion of an agricultural building, we were concerned that even 12kw would not provide enough heat for the whole house, but we need not have worried. With no boiler fitted, the Fireview amply heats a double-height living room, the adjacent kitchen and up the open stairs to the bedrooms.

Of exceptional build quality and crisp casting, the stove lights with ease and continues to burn at optimum efficiency (using a Valiant stove thermometer) whilst consuming in the region of 3 logs per hour. With a wide previous experience of Villager, Clearview, and Stovax stoves, the airwash is the best we have ever used; we were advised not to let the stove slumber, but simply to give it a quick blast last thing, then shut down completely and the body of the stove is invariably warm enough in the morning to re-light with ease, whilst the glass remains clean to the point where we have not yet had to even wipe it.

In answer to the riddling (griddle?) issue in a previous review below; large burnt charcoal lumps are prone to blocking the riddle bars if they are operated to the full extent but all that is needed is to move them less (some 10-20 degrees) to allow ash to fall through, rather than opening them up fully as you riddle, so that larger lumps do not fall.

Woodwarm stoves were a pleasure to deal with via our excellent supplier and fitter, to the extent of suggesting further options (we opted for the plinth and straight sides to raise the viewing height to sofa eye-level) and custom-making and detailing a rear baffled heat shield to allow the stove to be fitted adjacent to a dry-wall plasterboard wall surface. Woodwarm's pro-active approach put other well-known manufacturers in the shade. We have absolutely no connection with either the manufacturer or supplier but would have no hesitation in recommending them both.

All in all, a fantastic stove which has transformed our already lovely new home. Bring on the winter!

Stove expert replied: Lovely review, good comments for this manufacturer.

Overall rating:

5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 4.2)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.9)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.8)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.9)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 4.9)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.7)
Handle operation 4 flames (avg 4.3)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 4.4)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4.6)