WhatStove?

Review of Burley Debdale 9104

Efficient stove, but some quality issues.

Andrew Thompson 2 years ago

This is the fifth stove we have owned, and of the four wood-burning stoves in our home this one certainly puts out the most heat per kg of wood burnt.

Lighting up is a bit fiddly, the door needs to be left on the ‘ajar’ part of latch for at least ten minutes before you can start to close it. Once up to operating temperature it is easy enough to keep going.

There are a couple of quality issues with the manufacture though. My main gripe is the flimsiness of the stainless steel and mesh baffle plate. It became warped after just a few months, hardly surprising considering the thinness of the plate. The mesh inserts are also made of entirely the incorrect material, it became corroded and brittle in a very short period of time. (I did some research and was able to replace it with a grade of material more appropriate to withstanding large thermal stresses.) The entire plate only lasted two years before becoming unusable, I think this is unacceptable. The cost of a replacement was prohibitive, so I have commissioned a replacement from a local steelworker using more appropriate metal.

Despite this obvious gripe I still like the stove and don’t anticipate changing it any time soon.

Stove expert replied: Thanks for the comment, it is recommended to leave the door ajar when lighting any stove, especially a new, more efficient stove as the chimney needs to get warm, relatively quickly to aid draw.

Overall rating:

2.5 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 4.7)
Quality of finish 2 flames (avg 4.6)
Value for money 2 flames (avg 4.6)
Ease of use 3 flames (avg 4.2)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.3)
Firebox size 2 flames (avg 3.7)
How well does the airwash work 1 flames (avg 3.9)
Controllability 1 flames (avg 4)
Handle operation 1 flames (avg 4.3)
How likely are you to buy it again? 2 flames (avg 4.3)
What is your overall satisfaction? 2 flames (avg 4.4)