WhatStove?

Review of Saltfire Sturminster 8kW Inset Stove

What a joy.

7 years ago

By the title I'm sure you will have guessed I like our new burner install,

After countless hours researching for the right balance between the oh so many elements of choosing the right stove for our particular needs I am very pleased with my choice of purchase.

First is the dimension's for fitting into our existing Victorian fire place combined with a large fire box which was slim pickings in the whole market place,

The dual air control's and powerful airwash on the glass and the active air jet's feeding in from the rear of the fire box creating a very clean and efficient burn, not to mention the dancing twirling flame effect which rivals the mesmerizing effect of an open fire.

Ease of fitting with DEFRA approval, a wee 5" flue and it just slid into place on my hearth into my cast Victorian surround with a blanking plate behind the cast cowling above looking just the part against the under stated look of the stove, we still have most of the original look of the fireplace with a modern efficient stove now inside.

After even more research and my DIY skill level @ 9 I fitted the complete install with only a little help from my boy to feed the flue pipe up the roof to save damaging it.

Things to note,,, it's a large stove (3-4 good size 9" logs fit inside) so due to rubble constructed fire place I had to remove the entire fireplace back to the builder's opening, this was no sweat but did produce 10 roughly 30kg bag's of rubble, making and fitting the registry plate was the next challenge and although an easy task it proved tricky to work inside the opening as I'm a tad on the large side. Measuring flue length was tricky but found a combo of internal chimney measurements and internal wall measurements was successful. Fitting the 5" flue was a doddle aside from some rubble I had in my partially collapsed chimney divide which was rendered incidental by the liner. With a combined pot hanger and bird proof non welded heavy stainless cowl hanging the flue was easy, with a simple flue adapter it was easy to fire cement the flue to the stove then refit the removable Victorian cast top cowl, and hey presto a test fire to cure the cement.

Took a little trial and error and more research to get the best from the burner but so easy to light, get a good blaze and its near fool proof lol. The glass air wash is amazing, we've seen it tar up a little while learning to get it going but once up to full temp it actually cleans its self on most occasion's. Using well seasoned hardwood there is very little ash to clean up and with coal the heat is near to much with the living room door wide open on a cold night, the air controls work a treat to. We have been running it around 6 month's and I just can hardly fault it, maybe the riddle action could be smoother but with care and some effort it works well enough. At an all in cost of around nine hundred pounds and all the above I'm well chuffed. I found one web site in particular head and shoulder's above all for research an advice so used them for my purchase though this model was not listed on the site, I contacted them and they put the package together for me, if I am aloud to mention them for other's I'd like to especially own home installers.

Stove expert replied: Do make sure that you get the installation signed off by your Building Control office so that your house insurance is still valid. Please note that household coal is not advised on closed appliances but smokeless fuels can be used.

Overall rating:

5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 5)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 5)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 5)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 5)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 5)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 5)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 5)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 5)
Handle operation 4 flames (avg 4)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 5)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 5)