WhatStove?

Review of Burley Hollywell 9105 stove

Burley Debdale and perfect little wood burner

John Vocking

This is our first foray into the world of wood burning so I did a lot of research when looking for a suitable wood burner.

In doing this I had to consider the heat output required. We have a basic two up two down cottage with an extension on the back. The wood burner was to be installed in the downstairs middle room of the house that also has the stairs to the second floor in it. Looking in Stove showrooms straight away we were struck by the simplicity, efficiency and large viewing window of the Burley range. A trip to a Stove shop where they had the full range of Burley Stoves on display, convinced us that the Debdale would fit our requirements perfectly.

So I have been running the Debdale continuously for over a month now and am very impressed. The stove is small but not in a way that restricts the logs you buy, not by length anyway. I tend to split bigger logs anyway so as to improve efficiency and control the firebase.

Initially I was getting mixed results from log burning, in late January I have found most log merchants have sold out of seasoned logs. So in the initial excitement, and wanting to see the stove working, I bough a load of Kiln dried logs from B&Q. What I can report is that when split down the middle they are not kiln dried to the core or anywhere near it. The same was found for nearly all mesh bags logs available from Garden centre and garage forecourts, not to mention the excessive price of these.

Seeking a dry wood I also decided to try various types of Briquettes instead. There is still a terrific variation in these but I have found two makes (Verdo and Hotties) that are excellent. Give them a try and they mix well with logs too.

Once I managed to source dry logs and briquettes the Debdale is a dream to use. To fire it up, even from cold just requires a handful of kindling and some scrunched newspaper, add two dry logs on top and light. Then leave the door ajar, on the latch for 10 minutes till it is roaring. This is where I have found the stove pipe thermometer useful as when this reaches over 100 degrees centigrade I close the door and leave for a further 10-20 minutes with the air vent fully open by which time the stove is at over 140 degrees and into non creosote temperatures. So after 20-30 minutes the stove is up to operating temperature. Adding logs is simple to add both the aircontrol lever and door handles are easily replaceable wood and so can be used bared handed, although I would recomend a glove when adding logs just in case you brush the stove case.

Finding the perfect position for the air lever for general running took a few days of experimentation. As per the instructions, you want it at a point where the flames are swirling rather than roaring but not having the glass getting covered in soot. Once there adding a Log every 45 minutes keeps it running in the perfect temp range and at this level it keep the main two rooms downstairs at a perfect level and if the bedroom doors are left open they will soon get warm after an hour or two of running. We do not run the stove overnight, and it is not designed to do so anyway, but it is so easy to light in the morning it is not an issue for us.

The glass stays pretty clean, soot is never an issue but after a week of burning there is a white dusting on the glass. A wipe with some Hob Brite when cold and it comes up as new.

The single air control is simplicity itself, if you want more heat just swing it to the right and the stovepipe thermometer soon starts rising. The ash only needs clearing out once a week with our use so the daily lighting routine takes hardly any time at all.

What cannot be over emphasised is the fantastic flame window, you can sit and be mesmerised by it for hours.

So a great choice and also full marks to Burley customer service, our installer managed to break the door glass but Burley sent me one free of charge in a matter of days. I would recommend without hesitation the Debdale.

Overall rating:

4.5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4.3)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 4.2)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 4.2)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.4)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.3)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 4.3)
How well does the airwash work 4 flames (avg 3.8)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.1)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 4.3)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 3.9)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4)
  • Janet Parsons said 10 years ago:

    Thanks for a very informative and helpful review. We are about to move into a 1960's house with oil central heating and researching woodburners to minimise our use of oil - it seemed the more we looked the more questions we had! Your review has answered many of those questions, which I am sure are typical of anyone new to the world of woodburners