WhatStove?

Review of Morso Squirrel 1412 smokeless stove

Love my stove.

Angela Collins 10 years ago

I had wanted a stove for years but kept putting it off. I eventually bit the bullet in November 2012 because of the rising cost of my gas bill. I chose a Morso 1412 because I liked the look of the stove, knew it would be a quality product and the size would be perfect for my two up, two down terraced house.

I had a few teething problems at the beginning because I was getting the air flow wrong. There are two air controls. The top one is the secondary and the bottom is the primary. They should both be open fully (anti-clockwise)when lighting your stove.

When starting with a cold stove I burn newspaper for a few minutes to warm the chimney up. I then put four 3" pieces of 'Blazers' fire logs at the bottom of the grate. No bigger because they expand significantly. Light four firelighters on top and put on roughly ten pieces of kindling wood. I then leave it do it's thing and get on with other stuff.

Once the desired temperature is reached I turn off the primary air and turn the secondary air control four times clockwise.

I then put a few pieces of wood on top. This gives you a controlled fire with fantastic heat that will last for hours. If I go out I leave it burning and when I come in sometimes four hours later, to a lovely warm house, I still have glowing embers, so I rake them a bit, open the air controls and add some wood. Within a few minutes I have a fire going again.

I think a thermometer is essential. It lets you know when your stove is burning at the correct and most efficient temperature and stops you turning the air down before it is hot enough. This was what I was doing wrong at the beginning.

To say I love my stove is an understatement. I know it is expensive to buy and install but since I have had my Morso I haven't had my central heating on once. It heats my whole house. I have it in my living room but my big kitchen and bedrooms are 22 degrees and with the glow of the fire I don't even have any lights on in my living room, so I am also saving on electric. The cats also love it and lie in front of it. In the warmer months when I didn't have it on they use to sit in front of it and give me dirty looks.

I have it set inside the chimney breast as in the illustration. I was thinking of getting a fan that is supposed to distribute the air more but I am very happy as it is so may not bother.

I also have a companion set, i.e. poker, tongs, shovel and brush that have come in very handy. It isn't just for decoration.

I have only burned wood but it is a multi-fuel stove. I never burn painted or treated wood. I also got a Morso moisture meter that tests the dryness or otherwise of wood. Simple to use and very effective. It stops you burning wood that is too wet and creating tar.

An amazing, well built, quality stove that is worth every penny and the handle never gets hot.

Stove expert replied: Great review and I agree that a thermometer is a good addition for any stove user. Sounds very cosy!

Overall rating:

5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4.9)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 4.9)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.8)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.9)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.4)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 4.3)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 4.4)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 4.9)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4.8)