WhatStove?

Review of Clearview pioneer 400 oven stove

Great stove but......

D. Gobey 14 years ago

We recently purchased and had installed a Clearview Pioneer 400 wood burning stove. We are extremely pleased with the product and the sub contracted fitters were excellent.

BUT WARNING! The stove’s stainless steel chimney comes unpainted and company policy is for it to be spray painted in situ – in our case, our living room.

Both my wife and I were concerned about the possible toxic nature of the paint and even more so the inevitable drift of the spray on to furnished/painted surfaces which we felt could not be adequately masked. We therefore decided to contact Clearview Stoves to convey these misgivings.

Unfortunately the response we received from one of the directors was a good deal less than satisfactory: he was unmoved and unmoveable. We were told that spray painting the chimneys at the point of installation had been company practice for 20 years and that was that. When asked whose responsibility it was if anything was stained or damaged, we were told it was the installer’s. As well as this striking us as somewhat unfair to the sub contractors, our concerns had not been addressed and we were quite definitely still very worried.

Luckily an employee at the Stow on the Wold showrooms heard of our dilemma and arranged for the chimney to be sprayed away from our home and it was eventually fitted as a pre-sprayed item. The fitting did result in a minor blemish but this was quickly and effectively dealt with by one swift spray of paint from the spray can which, whilst it certainly produced a pungent smell, was infinitely better for our furnishings and décor, not to mention the lungs of ourselves and installers alike.

It seems to us a pity that the reputation of such a quality product was and still could be, jeopardised by an inappropriate aspect of its installation and the inflexibility of a senior company representative.

Stove expert replied: Great to here that there was a way over this unfortunate problem and unfortunate response from this manufacturer.

Overall rating:

5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 4.8)
Value for money 4 flames (avg 4.3)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.8)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.8)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.5)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 4.8)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.7)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 4.6)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 4.6)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4.5)

  • David Campbell said 7 years ago:

    On the basis the paint was applied to the stove and flue system during manufacture and installation, it might be worth noting that the paint smell will be a lot worse in the home when first lit as the appliance comes up to temperature. This is the same for EVERY stove you might purchase and not just a Clearview. I have been fitting Clearview stoves for over 11 years, full time, and by using a more robust stainless steel flue pipe, instead of the cheap vitreous enamel pipe that is often used, is testimony to the manufacturers decision to use quality product. The painting of the flue pipe is a daily job for a Clearview installer, and in 11 years fitting 1000''s, I have yet to have an overspray problem. If the flue is warmed before application the mist and paint dry on impact, EASY. Maybe have a bit more trust in the installer, or choose someone with suitable experience and stop questioning the manufacturer for their policy.