WhatStove?

Review of ACR Rowandale

Great Stove!

Andy C 8 years ago

I have been living with this stove for about 8 weeks now and I am extremely happy with the choice. I could not find any customer reviews of the stove when I bought it and trusted my judgment based on the looks and feel of it in the showroom so I'm reviewing here to help others.

The features I really like about the stove are as follows; great classic looking stove, extremely sturdy build with strong fittings, the castings seem thick and look to be of a high quality, very large window that seems to stay just as clean as our old clearview stove (once you master the controls as all stoves are different), the air controls and door handle stay cool enough to touch without a glove and it is quite large for a 5kw stove so it fills a large opening even if your room is not big enough to warrant a larger (usually higher kw) stove.

The heat output is quite high compared to our previous 5kw as the body is larger and thicker but output is easily controllable using the secondary air control when burning wood. The fire box is well insulated with bricks and a large vermiculite baffle which really helps keep the fire combustion temperature up so burning even large hardwood logs (400mm x 150mm) is not an issue.

My only small criticism is the lack of riddling grate and tool for removing a hot ash pan. These are not an issue if you just burn wood as I predominantly do but if you plan on using it to mainly burn smokeless fuel or anthracite then it may be a determining factor. I have made an ash pan handle from steel to remove it whilst hot (acr could offer this as an accessory quite easily I would imagine). The lack of riddler is not really a major issue - you just have to get busy with the poker. I only burn anthracite when its extremely cold out so its something I'm happy to live with.

On the whole a fantastic purchase backed up by a solid warranty and actual people who answer the telephone and emails when you need to ask them something. Buy with confidence!

Overall rating:

5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 4.2)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 4.3)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.2)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.3)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 4.7)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 3.8)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 4.7)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 4.5)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4.3)