WhatStove?

Review of Jotul F 400 stove

JOTUL F 400 WOOD STOVE

OWEN BEAVER 10 years ago

I WISH THAT I HAD FOUND THIS SITE, BEFORE I PURCHASED MY JOTUL F400. I AM IN TO MY SECOND WINTER WITH MY JOTUL AND IT IS KEEPING THE HOUSE CLOSE TO 70 WITH THE OUTSIDE TEMP AT OR BELOW ZERO. I HAD THE 1950'S FIREPLACE REFACED AND HAD THE SMOKE LEDGE OPENED UP TO MAKE THE JOTUL GO STRAIGHT UP WITH NO BENDS. I'VE HAD, RIGHT FROM THE START A "SMOKING" PROBLEM AND JOTUL IN ITS INSTALL MANUAL SAYS" CHIMNEY MUST BE 14' AND I HAD 12.5', PLUS THE PITCH OF MY ROOF TO THE CHIMNEY COULD BE A PROBLEM. I CHECKED THAT OUT AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM. SO I PURCHASED A 3' EXTENSION AND THAT HELPED PUT ME OVER 15' AND ON WINDY DAYS IT LET'S THE SMOKE GET OUT OF THE PIPE MORE FREELY. SO, THE ONE THING MY INSTALLERS DID NOT DO WAS WRAP INSULATION AROUND MY LINER AND NOW I AM THINKING THIS WOULD HAVE HELPED WITH MY DRAFT TO THE STOVE. WE NOW TRY TO FEED THE FIRE WHEN IT'S DOWN, BUT STILL THE SMELL OF SMOKE GOES THROUGH THE HOUSE. IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE JOTUL APART AND REDO IT FOR THE THIRD TIME. LAST YEAR I GOT THROUGH TO JOTUL AND LEFT A MESSAGE FOR HELP FROM A TECH. PERSON,,,,STILL WAITING. THE AREA REP. DID CALL, BUT MADE NO ATTEMPT TO COME BY AND SEE WHAT HE COULD DO. I HAVE SPENT £3,000 SO FAR AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF JOTUL COULD HAVE HELPED. I AM THINKING ABOUT HAVING THE TOP OF THE CHIMNEY MADE HIGHER BY ANOTHER 18 TO 24" AND THEN SEE IF IT HELPS. I HAVE WATCHED VIDEOS OF JOTULS AND OTHER STOVES WITH THE DOORS WIDE OPEN AND NO SMOKE. I HAD A WOOD STOVE BEFORE THE JOTUL, BUT EPA STANDARDS IT WAS NOT, SO I GOT THE F400. I WILL TRY AGAIN WITH JOTUL AND THEIR "CRICK IT" WEB SITE AND MAYBE, JUST MAYBE I WILL GET SOME HELP.

Stove expert replied: Ask you installer for further advice or speak to a flue expert. May be an anti down-draught cowl is required.

Overall rating:

3.5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 3.9)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 3.8)
Value for money 2.5 flames (avg 3)
Ease of use 4 flames (avg 3.2)
Ease of lighting 4.5 flames (avg 3.7)
Firebox size 2.5 flames (avg 3.7)
How well does the airwash work 4.5 flames (avg 2.1)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 2.9)
Handle operation 3 flames (avg 3.6)
How likely are you to buy it again? 0.5 flames (avg 2.4)
What is your overall satisfaction? 2.5 flames (avg 3)