WhatStove?

Review of Jotul F3 stove

problem with smoking

Louise Bell 10 years ago

I was interested to read the review by Bob as we've had a similar experience with our Jotul F3. We bought it second hand & for the first year or so it worked brilliantly. Then it started smoking very badly when first lit, & I mean badly. It doesn't seem to relate to a particular weather condition outside. The flue was a new, twin-wall steel one, straight out through a wall. That has been checked & is clear. Nothing else has changed so we can't work out why the performance is different. Once the fire gets going the problem stops as the heat makes it draw properly. We're going to try it with a different cowl on the flue next but really, why would it not smoke for the first year or so & then start? Very odd. Other than that I like the stove. We only burn wood in it & it heats a large room quite quickly & is easy to turn up or down & to keep lit. It's easy to clean out & takes quite large logs. However, I would think twice before buying a full price one after my experience with the smoking, but that could turn out to have a simple explanation that I haven't found yet.

Stove expert replied: Please check that the internal baffle plate has not become distorted as this can cause smoke problems, at the same time check all seals to insure they still function. The weather can be a factor but a cowl may well overcome this problem.

Overall rating:

3.5 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 4.3)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 4.5)
Value for money 4 flames (avg 3.7)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4)
Ease of lighting 4.5 flames (avg 4.1)
Firebox size 4.5 flames (avg 4.2)
How well does the airwash work 2.5 flames (avg 3.8)
Controllability 4 flames (avg 3.9)
Handle operation 3 flames (avg 4)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1.5 flames (avg 3.6)
What is your overall satisfaction? 3 flames (avg 3.9)