WhatStove?

Review of Parkray Consort 9 Slimline

Waste of money

ANDREW MADDEN 9 years ago

I have owned my woodburner for over a year and now feel qualified to give an informed opinion.

It functions no better than any other wood burner. They are after all just iron boxes (one of the cheapest metals about) with an exhaust hole. Don't believe the marketing gumf that these burner companies bang on about - efficiency ratios nonsense a case in point. A 50 year old burner off the internet for £50 does exactly the same job.

The worst thing about this and the other Parkray design is the poor ability to keep logs in the burner. Buy this and you will soon find out that burning logs fall out of the burner every time you open the door. Parkray will tell you that you shouldn't over stack and then promptly offer to sell you a special part to stop the logs falling out - for an additional £80!!! There is no way this thing puts out enough heat without 'over stacking'.

For perspective, I use the woodburner every day during cooler months. I am fortunate enough to own my own woodland so I cut, split and season my own logs. I use logs with a moisture content of no higher than 15%.

Overall rating:

2 flames

Build Quality 3 flames (avg 3.5)
Quality of finish 3 flames (avg 3.7)
Value for money 1 flames (avg 2.5)
Ease of use 1 flames (avg 2.8)
Ease of lighting 3 flames (avg 3.5)
Firebox size 3 flames (avg 3.5)
How well does the airwash work 3 flames (avg 3.2)
Controllability 1 flames (avg 2.8)
Handle operation 1 flames (avg 2)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 2.3)
What is your overall satisfaction? 1 flames (avg 2.5)