WhatStove?

Review of Aarrow Signature 5 DEFRA Stove

Glorified radiator

Kevin Malloy 8 years ago

The fire is no more than a glorified radiator. Fine during the summer months but during the winter the only way to get a heat is to run the fire with the door open and sit in front of it. Had my fire 5 years now and this will be the 3rd throat plate I will have to purchase and the 3rd curved glass at a cost of £90+ plus nearly £40 to have it delivered!! The glass keeps cracking because of the heat.

Can't recommend this stove. It would be cheaper to buy a £10 fan heater.

Stove expert replied: You may have a problem with the flue draw on this installation which is preventing the heat generated from being able to radiate into the room. Internal components fail quickly if the stove is exposed to higher than normal working temperatures and as you have already had 2 throat plates in 5 years does seem a little excessive, what with cracking the glass twice as well the stove may be over fired. If the flue draw is excessive (you installer can test for this) the heat gets sucked out of the firebox and up the chimney before it can heat the metal of the stove, are you able to shut the stove right down to a slumber mode? Are you using lots of fuel for little heat? Does the glass get a smoky film over it? Problems reported about stoves are not always down to the stove and often down to the installation / flue. I would suggest getting this checked as permanent damage can be done to the stove if an over-drawing flue is found to be the cause.

Overall rating:

1.5 flames

Build Quality 1 flames (avg 1)
Quality of finish 1 flames (avg 1.5)
Value for money 1 flames (avg 1.5)
Ease of use 1 flames (avg 2)
Ease of lighting 4 flames (avg 3.5)
Firebox size 1 flames (avg 1.5)
How well does the airwash work 1 flames (avg 2)
Controllability 1 flames (avg 2)
Handle operation 1 flames (avg 1)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 1)
What is your overall satisfaction? 1 flames (avg 1.5)