WhatStove?

Review of Burley Hollywell 9105 stove

Burley Debdale

Norman Beresford 10 years ago

Having bought our first house we wanted to open up the chimney in the living room and install a woodburner. Being a typical male I spent a lot of time researching the various models and the Debdale really appealed. We went to a showroom where they had the Hollywell in use so we got an idea about the operation, and got an excellent price on the supply and install (including the plinth to raise it higher).

Everything went without a hitch and we've now been using it for a year and I have to admit I've got certain issues with it. Positives first:

The stove is really easy to get going, and within about 15-20mins will be at what appears to be the ideal tempreature (flue roughly 120 as stated in the manual). Once it's going it kicks out a lot of heat, keeping our living room nice and toasty. And finally that flame picture really is quite mesmeric. Far too many Sunday lunches finish with our guests comatosed on the sofa all staring at the whirling cyclone of fire!

So that was the positives, now the negatives:

The first is that like many other reviewers the handle on the door of mine keeps dropping off. This is obviously a design flaw judging by the number of people complaining about it. Yes you can refit it very easily, but it still take the gilt off.

My second issue is that the bottom vent handle is very tricky to close. Getting it from fully open to half closed is a trial of strength and I've not tried to get it fully closed for fear of snapping the handle off. That said I can't imagine closing the handle beyond half way.

The last issue is with the consumption of fuel. Other reviewers have mentioned that their stove reduces fuel to a fine ash and that just doesn't happen with ours, we get a fair bit of charcoal left at the end of each fire. We're almost exclusively burning kiln dried wood which usually does't even register on the moisture meter we've been supplied.

Considering the price it's a great little woodburner, I just wish that they'd address some of those negatives.

Stove expert replied: You may need to keep the controls open a little more to use all the fuel rather than being left with charcoal, it means that you will have a livlier flame to watch but more efficient to use all the wood.

Overall rating:

3.5 flames

Build Quality 3.5 flames (avg 4.3)
Quality of finish 2.5 flames (avg 4.2)
Value for money 4 flames (avg 4.2)
Ease of use 4 flames (avg 4.4)
Ease of lighting 4.5 flames (avg 4.3)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 4.3)
How well does the airwash work 4 flames (avg 3.8)
Controllability 3.5 flames (avg 4.1)
Handle operation 2 flames (avg 4.3)
How likely are you to buy it again? 2.5 flames (avg 3.9)
What is your overall satisfaction? 3.5 flames (avg 4)
  • Norman Beresford said 10 years ago:

    We've had it going with the controls fully open but it always seems to leave charcoal behind.

  • Jane Peacock said 10 years ago:

    Thank you for the review. If you would like to contact our customer services they will be able to advise you on the issue with the handles. Tel: 01572 756956. Regards Burley Appliances Limited