WhatStove?

Review of Stovax Stockton 5 stove

Can''t Control the Burn for Love Nor Money

David Thorp 6 years ago

Installed in September 2019 and whilst the company installing did a good job on the fireplace and ''were'' extremely helpful at first, the stove itself (wood burner not multi) just couldn''t be controlled. Even with all vents closed, there are 3, it was still roaring away. So too much draw. A damper was installed (looks hideous) and that didn''t sort it either (basically off or on). The Defra airwash was then replaced with an older one to allow the airwash to be fully closed (which puts the fire out). With this partially closed you can control the burn better (with the damper also being used) but it means the draw through the airwash is really noisy and he screen blacked fairly quickly (needs cleanign after EVERY use). Was then told i needed to pay an additional 150 quid to get a dragon cowl installed as this may solve the issue of too much draw. £150 for a guess? No thanks. It''s too easy to say that the Stove isn't the problem, it's the flue draw rate, but I would say it's a combination of the 2. Wouldn't recommend the stove based on this, buy something which can handle the draw rate better instead.

Stove expert replied: It does sound like you have very strong draw where you are David. You're right you need to select the stove and design the chimney system based on the characteristics at each site - but I wouldn't so much blame the stove here as the system designer. With any stove it's also not always clear how the system will perform until the installation is done - conditions and chimney draw may have been fine when the site visit was done and then later changed.

Overall rating:

4.5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 3.8)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 4)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 3.5)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 3.7)
Ease of lighting 4 flames (avg 3.9)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 3.3)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 3.1)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 3.2)
Handle operation 4 flames (avg 3.2)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 3)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 3.3)

  • Jane Dunn said 5 years ago:

    I have EXACTLY the same problem and have no control over the burn which on occasions has been scary!I also had a damper installed but if I use it the fire goes out. My original installer says he can''t do anymore.

  • David Thorp said 6 years ago:

    Thanks for the response, really appreciate it. Bssed on whats been said do you think the installation of the cowl will help to reduce the draw? The Stove looks amazing, just wish it wasn''t so noisy and hard to control.