WhatStove?

Review of Clearview 650 stove

owned for 30-years, use every day Oct to March, moved with us twice, brilliant stove,

Sheron Hassell 11 years ago

Mine's probably one of the first 350's, bought direct from Jonathan @ Clearview about 30-years ago, when the company was a mere fledgling. I sell logs so they're free for me so I obviously use the stove in preference to any other heat source. It's on at least 18 hours a day, every day, between early October & end of March .... & has been, every year, since the day we bought it.

I think we've changed the door ropes once & I usually change the thick rope on the lid whenever we change the fire bricks, typically every 5-years or so. The rope on the ash tray's been changed about 3-times. All in all, very minor maintenance type stuff bearing in mind the hammering we give it.

I see a lot of stoves & talk a lot about stoves when we're delivering logs. There's a lot of complete rubbish out there, including some from very well know brands. Over the years I've probably sold over 20 Clearviews as a direct result of my recommendations ... the last one was just last year.

I noticed someone here commented about the coldwash not working .... once the stoves alight & the fire's established push the left lever completely in & keep the right lever slightly out (that's the coldwash lever). Also try & keep the logs away from the front vertical guard .... the coldwash air comes up just in front of that guard (you'll see the little gap if you look).

FYI, I only ever clean our glass once a year, at the end of each season. I merely spray on a mist of Mr Muscle glass cleaner, rub it with old newspaper, re-apply the glass cleaner & polish up with kitchen-roll - simples.

After falling asleep every night in front of the stove for the past 30 winters I can honestly say I'd probably kick the wife out before kicking the stove out.

BRILLIANT STOVE .... THE VERY BEST.

Stoev Expert Replied: What a fantastic review, not sure about the comment about the stove or wife though!!

Overall rating:

5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4.3)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 4.4)
Value for money 4 flames (avg 4.1)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.6)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 4.4)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.3)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 3.8)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 4.2)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4.2)