Review of Jotul F 100
Jotul F100
We bought this stove primarily because it had a huge firebox compared to other 5kw or smaller stoves. We also like the fact that it can push higher than 5kw if needed (7.1kw I believe is the max). It's an amazingly heavy stove, being entirely cast iron and glass. That means it takes quite a while to heat up and it might be nice to have a stove that transmits heat a little faster.
Really the only real negative is getting it lit. We have the wood only option, and it has no second vent for lighting. That means leaving the door open and blowing a lot. Once it is lit all's well, but getting it going drives us a little crazy. One last note - someone mentioned that the door knob comes loose, and we have found this to be true and I have already tightened it twice in the less than a month we have had it. But the handle stays nice and cool and works great. Compared to the alternatives there was really no other option below 5kw with a very large firebox, but I would probably look for something a little more technologically advanced if I were to put a stove in a future house.Stove expert replied: sometimes lighting some newspaper in the stove first will help heat the chimney. Then proceed as normal with lighting the stove and you may find it easier as the chimney will draw or suck a bit better.