WhatStove?

Review of Burley Wakerley stove

Smoking Wakerley

Ade Phillips 8 years ago

I owned a Charnwood 8 and needed more heat in the house. I chose a pair of Wakerleys for their efficiency, large glass and external air feed. On this basis they meet requirements and, as the only heat source, have kept our house warm. However, what I did not expect was that from new, with both a new and an old flue, the products of combustion would be expelled into the room every time the door was opened for refuelling i.e. ash, dust, smoke and/or flame. I have tried everything that I can think of e.g. opening the door at different points in the combustion cycle, ensuring the 10m long flues are sealed, checking baffles in the fires and I even fitted an inline flue fan. This was all before I came to the conclusion that the design of the Wakerley is the most probable cause. The fire is shallow and tall so the fuel is close to the door opening and products of combustion have far to travel to get to the flue. Additionally the baffles create extra resistance to the products of combustion as they try to reach the flue. In addition to these factors there is a flue to fire opening ratio of 10:1 i.e. fire opening should not exceed 10 times the size (area) of the flue. However, the Wakerley exceeds this ratio by approx. 50%. So, combining all of these issues results in products of combustion taking the path of least resistance through the door opening and into the room. Burley's recommendation to only burn the "correct" fuel i.e. well dried wood merely masks the true problem. Excellent product until it needs refuelling and then it becomes a filthy, stinking nightmare.

Overall rating:

3 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 4)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 4.2)
Value for money 2 flames (avg 3.8)
Ease of use 4 flames (avg 4)
Ease of lighting 4 flames (avg 4.2)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 4.6)
How well does the airwash work 3 flames (avg 4.3)
Controllability 4 flames (avg 4.5)
Handle operation 4 flames (avg 4.3)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 3.9)
What is your overall satisfaction? 1 flames (avg 3.9)