WhatStove?

Review of Charnwood Country 6 stove

Great Stove

Darryl Hall 10 years ago

I got in to the world of stoves a few years ago due to having a back boiler replaced which had an integrated fire so needed to replace that too.

I initially opted for the easy option and got an inset stove which I ran for a season but really wasn't up to the job so got the builders in to enlarge my fireplace and install one of the Charnwood Country 6's.

I spent quite a lot of time looking into stoves, both online and in the local shops. I did see a couple of Chesneys that had the "modern" look and initially quite fancied one of them but reviews weren't all that great. When I saw the Country 6, although a more "traditional" stove I really liked the twin angled doors and build quality. I looked at previous reviews on here and other sites and it seems that this make and model have quite a following so in the end made the decision to buy.

I had the fire installed at the beginning of the year so with the extended winter used it quite a lot then and am using it fairly often at the moment too and I absolutely love it. My Sister also recently had one installed in their house due to how good it looks. What a difference to my old DImplex inset - the fire is more controllable, the glass almost always stays clean even when the top air is virtually closed. The only time the glass does significantly black up is when I load it up at night and turn the air down to keep the fire in until Morning. This is really effective and although the glass is quite black in the morning, as it's still going, I chuck on a couple more logs, open both the vents to get the fire roaring which then also cleans off the glass.

Another attraction for me to this stove is that it takes 40+cm logs which is great as there is less work cutting wood to length and you get better value for money out of the wood burning bigger logs a they burn for longer.

I got the multifuel version, which the only difference is it comes with a grate kit which you put in yourself. I only paid extra for this as I assumed I would need to put coal on if I wanted to keep the fire going all night, but so far I've not had to as the air is sufficiently controlled and the firebox big enough to keep it going with wood, which I much prefer as it's more friendly to the environment.

I would not hesitate in recommending this stove to anyone. The quality is great and also I had a few queries prior to purchase so I emailed Charnwood direct and had a very helpful and informative answer within a few hours.

The only downside is because you have a "tool" to open and close the door opening knobs this soon wears off the paint on the little door knobs, but still doesn't detract anything from the stove. I did however mention this by email to the Charnwood dealer shortly after purchase and a week later I have a very large tin of Charnwood touch up paint for the knobs, again another example of excellent customer service.

Overall rating:

5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Quality of finish 4.5 flames (avg 4.3)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 4.8)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.9)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.9)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 5)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 4.8)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 4.1)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 4.8)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4.7)