Review of Esse Ironheart cooking range
Absolutely brilliant - Esse Ironheart - Best Purchase we've ever made
We have had the Ironheart installed in our large kitchen/dinner for about 3 years now and it has transformed this, what was difficult to keep warm area, into a toasty room that everybody wants to be in.\n\nFirst the look of the Esse is very attractive and gets lots of compliments. Seeing the flames whilst the wood burning is always a delight. The glass DOES stay clean as long as you burn dry wood. We have burnt wet stuff and sure enough the glass does blacken, however, it has been really easy to clean with white vinegar and a scouring sponge (from supermarkets). We have NEVER had it go black with dry wood despite keeping the fire in for weeks/months on end. WE do burn our fires really hard - banking it up at bedtime and it really is easy just to chuck on some smaller piece in morning and it fires into life. Even before you make it up in the morning it still giving out loads of heat like a huge storage heater.\n\nWe empty the bottom about twice a week. That being said we give it a good clean (sweep flue, airways etc) every 2 - 3 months. When we first got it, within 2 months, we had quite a lot of issues with smoke and found it just needed sweeping - think this was due to it being new. Now its fantastic and no problems at all.\n\nTo cook on, it simply a case of getting use to, and food - especially baked potatoes, oven chips etc are superior to anything I've ever tasted. Meat is also kept lovely and moist but as already mentioned once you know how it likes to be treated you can cook everything beautifully on it.\n\nI also have a pan rack hanging over mine and dry washing. It's absolutely brilliant and 'One of the Family'. If we were ever to move house, I wouldn't leave unless promised another Esse Ironheart.\n\nIf you are thinking of buying one - don't hesitate you won't be disappointed!\n\nJust to add, despite a couple of very cold winters - we have not had to turn our central heating on once - the heat given off is incredible and that might be the only negative that if you cook on it whilst the weather out is not really really cold you have to do it in your underwear\n\n\n
Stove expert replied: I would ensure that this is let out monthly to clean the flue, 2 - 3 months is rather a long period without checking that it is clear. Wet wood is not good and should be avoided as you have found. Glad to hear the food tastes better, keep cooking.