WhatStove?

Review of Clearview vision 500 stove

Two of 8 Clearview''s in the house

David Campbell 5 years ago

The Vision 500 is installed in our Living room and Games room. As an 8Kw stove we have utilised the external air kit, to feed combustion air directly to the stove. If this is something that is achievable, then it should be utilised to ensure the stoves are able to "breathe" their combustion air from outside the room. All our stoves, even the 5Kw stoves, have the external air systems to help reduce draughts in an old rectory with single glazed windows, and it works a treat.

The stoves are able to burn different types of fuel, although they have only been tested with wood. We tend to use Ash and Beech which has been processed and dried in potato boxes in our poly tunnel for about a year, which is a brilliant way to ensure your fuel is ready to burn. As long as the wood is seasoned and the core moisture level, the sap in wood, is less than 20% moisture you should be ready for trouble free use.

The double glazed window ensures the inner glass is insulated from the room temperatures which gives an unsurpassed view of the fire...hence their name. Just be sure to burn the stove hot at times to discharge combustion products up through the flue. Ideally a stove should be run between 350-500 degrees F for optimum burn.

Stove gloves are provided with the stove to facilitate opening the door and fuelling the stove. Some people feel the handle getting hot to touch is a fault, but far from that, it is a design feature that makes you protect yourself before operating the stove. The gauntlets are flame retardant and heat resistant which helps you bring the burning fuel forward towards the window, and the fresh fuel can be placed across the firebox from left to right, which means that if any core moisture evaporates, it comes out of the end grain and hits the side tiles rather than presenting steam on the window.

To sum up, the Vision is a much loved British favourite and should be added to everyone''s shortlist.

Stove expert replied: 2 similar stoves out of 8 in one property, must be really happy with all aspects of this brand. Top marks given by reviewer.

Overall rating:

5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Value for money 5 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 4.5)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 3.9)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 4.3)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4.4)