WhatStove?

Review of Harmony 23

Oval riddling grate poorly designed

Richard Pare 8 years ago

I have been using this stove for some time, so these remarks are based on familarity burning both wood and solid fuel.

The chief design problem with this stove is that the riddling mechanism is connected to an oval grate. There is no way that this is going to remain free, using either wood or solid fuel. However carefully you clear the ashes, as soon as any material, (ash, cinders,fuel residues of any kind), accumulates in the gap in which the oval plate is supposed to agitate. Of course as soon as it fills up any motion becomes impossible which means that the only way to riddle the stove is to use the poker with the door opened. This creates a lot of dust that settles everywhere. This is such an elementary design fault that I am astonished that the manufacturer could have issued such a compromised design.

Another problem, also a result of poor design, is that the draft control, attached by a very small Allen bolt, constantly comes loose and then comes off with the universal tool used for opening the ash door and draft adjustment. It is fiddly to get the allen key in to tighten it up. Should not even be necessary to have to do so.

As noted by other reviewers the airwash system does not seem to be effective, the cast iron grill behind the door to hold the fire appears to obstruct the airflow.

An open back to the ash collection drawer would make emptying a good deal easier. As it is, if the ash drawer gets overfilled, the surplus material drops over the back as the drawer is removed and then causes a blockage that prevents the drawer returning to the maximum position and so prevents the ash door from closing. You then have to fiddle about with a small shovel to clear the remainder.

Generally the major structural design of the mechanical parts seems poorly resolved.

Overall rating:

2 flames

Build Quality 1 flames (avg 4.5)
Quality of finish 2 flames (avg 4.5)
Value for money 1 flames (avg 3.1)
Ease of use 1 flames (avg 3.2)
Ease of lighting 3 flames (avg 3.4)
Firebox size 3 flames (avg 3.4)
How well does the airwash work 2 flames (avg 3.2)
Controllability 3 flames (avg 3.7)
Handle operation 3 flames (avg 3.8)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 3.2)
What is your overall satisfaction? 1 flames (avg 3.4)