WhatStove?

Review of Stratford TF90 stove

Umm is a pump required - new user

Ed 11 years ago

Bought this, as recommended would be best option to heat a 500l thermal store. We seem unable to get the thermal store up to temp, without the use of oil fired backup. Does anyone suggest an additional pump may be advantageous. In an ideal world, it would be good to heat around 21 rads, over 3 floors, but are comfortable with just heating 9 over these floors.

Having the fire keeping in overnight, and keeping lit all day, the max temp in room at 22 degrees - unfortunately, is a very large room and sitting with jumpers on seems a shame and the water never gets above 40 degrees.

Currently using logs, as have an endless supply,

System has oil boiler and oil fired rayburn (which is constantly on tick over) and is a gravity fed system.

Could it be the distance of the thermal store is too far away from the stove being approx 9 metres away

from store.

The water is hot in the pipes near the stove - therefore, could we be in danger of warping the stove as the heat doesn't seem to be getting to the thermal store.

Also, the glass has never been clean, and requires constant cleaning

Any advice would be appreciated - as heating a large cold house is painful. - thanks again.

Stove expert replied: Yes I do feel the long run to the heat store is a problem, if gravity then it should not exceed 6mtrs max and be rising all the way, also pipe size important to get the heat away from the stove. What temperature have you got the thermostat set on? If the water is not able to get away then the stove will remain shut down and the heat it produces will be poor. Speak to your Heating Engineer to see if installed as per the manufacturers instructions. The air wash control should be over to the right when first lighting and probably remain in the middle most of the time and if the wood is seasoned with a moisture content of less than 20% should remain clear.

Overall rating:

4 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 3.6)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 3.5)
Value for money 3 flames (avg 3.4)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 3.7)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.2)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.3)
How well does the airwash work 1 flames (avg 2.8)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 3.4)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 3.7)
How likely are you to buy it again? 3 flames (avg 3)
What is your overall satisfaction? 3 flames (avg 3.2)