Review of Clearview Pioneer 400 stove
Great stove
Its the first stove I've ever owned, and having installed it myself just a couple of weeks ago I'm really disappointed that summer is on the way - as I won't get to play with it much more. It looks really nice and would fit in to either a traditional style or contemporary (you can have either brass or brushed steel handles for a small additional charge). Other optional extras I would recommend are the removable handles - so you don't get the issue of them getting too hot and also the long legs so you get more air flow under the stove. I've found it easy to light and doesn't take too long to get upto temperature. The air wash works great except for a small area towards the bottom of the glass, but cleaned up fine with a damp cloth. Burns efficiently when up to temperature - a couple of small logs will last over an hour. Compared with an open fire it gives off a gentle heat via convection rather than radiating so you don't really notice the warmth given off until you leave the room and go back in. Although its a small stove it gives off enough heat that I've switched off the gas boiler. It also doesn't produce much ash (I guess as a consequence of being very efficient) so you don't have to empty it very often. As for the cost you have to look at it as a long term investment - Clearview are known for their reliability and are easy to maintain. When I bought mine, a chap came into the shop to pickup some fire cement to repair the firebricks in his clearview - but it was 20 odd years old and still going strong.