WhatStove?

Review of Stovax Stockton 6 stove

I've found a new hobby!

Eric Ludlow 12 years ago

We live in a smokeless zone and so my choice was restricted to smoke exempt models. I also wanted to go for a woodburner, that could be converted to multifuel. The Stockton 6 ticked all these boxes, and its shape complemented the relatively small opening that was the fireplace in our 70s detached home. We've been running it for a week now and I am totally hooked on it.

As I write, the temp outside is 38F, whilst inside it's 71 downstairs and 67 upstairs. We have heat to spare - the lounge, dining room and kitchen are open-plan and we routinely leave the hall door wide open to dissipate the heat and warm the upstairs part of the house. It is also costing us nothing: the stove runs quite happily on the pallet wood and rafters that I'd stockpiled beforehand.

It lights easily, once we got the knack, and burns well with the bottom vent shut and the top one half open. The firebox is a little shallow, but that's the flip side of having a fire that fits our opening.

We don't bother trying to run it overnight - instead I put the CH on for an hour or so in the morning, then light the fire when I feel like it later on. We have experienced sooty glass - sometimes it's easy to clean with ash and a damp cloth, other times it takes a lot of effort. Not sure what creates the harder deposits. Other than that, the only things I'd mark it down on are the sensitivity of the top vent, and the handle design. The former could do with being longer as moving it a millimetre or so can affect the burn. The latter is a bit clunky and I hate the 'handle lever' it comes with. Instead I use the supplied gauntlets at all times when the fire is hot.

Overall I am a total stove convert - the whole house is being heated for nothing and I enjoy the 'hunter gatherer' aspect of getting the wood in and cut! Including installation, the stove should pay for itself in two or three years. What's not to like?

Overall rating:

4 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 3.9)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 4.2)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 4.2)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.4)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 3.6)
How well does the airwash work 3 flames (avg 3.6)
Controllability 4 flames (avg 4)
Handle operation 3 flames (avg 4.3)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 4.2)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4.3)