WhatStove?

Review of Firebelly FB1 stove

Fire belly fb1

Yvette Morgan 10 years ago

Bought this stove in February 2013, by the time it was installed was mid march, so used it 3 times up until April with no problems except letting a bit of smoke back into the room when opening the door, lit the fire back up in mid November, have used it about 4 nights but stopped as it was filling my room with smoke coming out the sides of the door when closed, I contacted firebely direct and was told it was because I was burning damp wood? I was burning kiln dried at the time, I then contacted the company who supplied the fire to me, they stated I have a cold spot on my flue and gave me instructions on how to over come this. I did explain to both parties there was smoke coming out of the door when it was lit up and when up to temperature, we'll everything came to a head last night after half hour of it burning, I opened the door to put some more logs on and the door fell off, i was stranded trying to hold door against the fire and managed to reach my mobile and ring my brother who assisted me in putting the fire out, my living room is covered in soot and stinks of smoke.

Stove expert replied: This is a shame and I am sure that the door can be re-attached to the stove. The issue of the smoke coming back into the room should also be able to be cured with either a liner (if you do not already have one) and anti down draught cowl, an extra length on the flue system or possibly an air brick in the room. This annoying problem can usually be overcome and would recommend that you ask your installer for further assistance. Firebely have sent an Engineer to assist with the problems and this is a self installed stove with a short flue which is not recommend by the company, it should be installed by a Hetas Engineer.

Overall rating:

1 flames

Build Quality 0.5 flames (avg 4.1)
Quality of finish 0.5 flames (avg 3.9)
Value for money 0.5 flames (avg 3.9)
Ease of use 2.5 flames (avg 4.2)
Ease of lighting 2.5 flames (avg 4.2)
Firebox size 3 flames (avg 4.1)
How well does the airwash work 0.5 flames (avg 4)
Controllability 1.5 flames (avg 3.5)
Handle operation 1 flames (avg 4)
How likely are you to buy it again? 0.5 flames (avg 3.8)
What is your overall satisfaction? 0.5 flames (avg 3.9)