WhatStove?

Review of Franco Belge Belfort stove

Little Belter!

Mitch 14 years ago

After a lot of consideration we decided on this stove. We removed a cast iron Victorian fireplace and installed this in the cavity. It's a nice fit and we did not have to alter the existing hearth due to the compact size of the stove. I think it's an excellent build quality and seems very sound. It took a while to get used to the operation but now feel like a master! Lighting is dead easy with lots of paper and kindling of various sizes. The secret seems to be in leaving the vent open and door ajar for a good 10 minutes to allow the stove to heat enough to draw properly by the vent alone. I only burn wood in it and do have trouble getting a good heat output if the wood is damp. I don't expect this fire to burn overnight, I don't need it to, and it's not designed to, so it doesn't! If it's REALLY cold I just load it up before bed and let it go out in the night. It's not hard to get going the next morning if I need it. I use it to supplement our gas central heating which it does very well in our 4 bed house! I was tempted to go for a bigger stove but I think we got it right. I like to keep it going pretty well flat out if I can as that's when it burns very cleanly. I clean out the ash a couple of times a week but this is very easy and no hassle. It took me ages to get the controllability right as you really need to choke back the air to get it to burn slower, but as I said, I usually have it going flat out. I would recommend this stove for use as we do in a Victorian, two story terrace.

Overall rating:

5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4.3)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 4.1)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 3.9)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.1)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.1)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 3.8)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 3.4)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 3.9)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 3.7)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 3.8)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 3.9)