Review of Little Wenlock stove
Excellent little stove
Our original Little Wenlock (NO AIRWASH) stove is in its third decade and going strong. Originally purchased to burn anthracite, which is impossible to get here now, we burn logs very, very efficiently (remove firebricks and grate). The stove has stayed alight, at low temperatures, for over 24 hours without refuelling!
During the time we've had it I've replaced the 12mm glass fibre rope three times (don't bother with the advertised adhesive - just push it in and it stays there). The cast iron plates are sealed with fire cement which is prone to cracking and has to be partially raked out and resealed every few years. I overfilled it once and broke the glass while trying to close the door (replaced easily with a measured bit of Pyrex). Every stove supplier tries to sell their own brand of graphite blacking nowadays but the original, Zebrite, is by far the best. All others I have tried give off noxious fumes (so does Zebrite but it's the lesser evil) when stove is relit. Ours has a back flue which means we can cook on it. Everything from long, slow pot roasts to fried bacon.Stove expert replied: Not recommended to burn on such a low setting for such a long time as it can lead to problems in the flue system, always undertake short periods of fast burn at least twice a day for 15 - 20mins. Make sure that the rope seal is in the correct place as the grove is not always where it should be (depending on stove model). Watch out when using Zebrite as it can react with the manufacturers paint finishes!