WhatStove?

Review of Villager A

Villager A Flat top stove

David 15 years ago

Bought this for our house in France that currently just has electric heating...

I wanted just a wood burner that had a flat top so we could use it for cooking as well.

Spent hours doing research and found that most people seemed to think that the Villager A series are a reasonable range of stoves. No specific review though so I hope this helps anyone looking at these.

Firstly, we did not want a stove that was multi-fuel as our house is in the Dordogne and wood (oak, mainly) is plentiful and relatively cheap thus keeping the price down. It can be converted to multi-fuel if required.

Secondly, this is a holiday home so we use it for probably only four to six weeks of the year in the winter. A back boiler was not an option as the cost of installation would have been out of all proportion to the use.

Last of all I wanted to use the stove as a cooker as well. You just can't beat the feeling of seemingly getting something for nothing!

We bought the stove in the UK as the prices in France were nearly 70% more expensive (for the Villager). I also bought the enamelled flue pipe in the UK and wished I hadn't because they were far cheaper in France.

After installation, the first lighting produced the usual "curing" smell, which didn't last long.

The difference in the temperature of the room was amazing. The "output" of the stove is rated at 14-16Kw and we were using this to heat a room 8 metres x 5 metres with an open plane staircase at one end. We didn't need to have the stove "roaring" to achieve this.

The electric radiators needed to be on full to notice any difference in the temperature (and a huge hole in the wallet!). Eat your heart out EDF!

Bear in mind that the stove was installed in the fireplace and the chimney was now blocked off with the "register" plate so the escape of warm air up the chimney was stopped.

Lighting was a doddle as seasoned kindling (dry) was used along with newspaper and cardboard. No firelighters were used apart from a match or two!

500mm oak logs are relatively easy to use as long as you angle them as they go in.

Controllability was pretty impressive as not only do you have top and bottom vents for the air wash and primary/secondary combustion but you can tighten them all up by screwing them in making them more airtight.

It is worthwhile noting that we also took a flue thermometer with us that sits on the flue pipe, attached by a magnet. It didn't take long to work out how to keep it running at optimum temperature with one of these.

I tried twice to do an overnight burn succeeding only once. Came to the conclusion that as it was so easy to light, why bother? You will be burning fuel when tucked up in bed!

The air wash system worked well. Having tried the "overnighter", the glass was pretty filthy in the morning but when the bottom and top vents were open it soon cleared once the fire was going.

My only criticism of the stove is that the feet are not height adjustable so it can rock on an uneven surface.

All in all, I would rate this excellent value for money. It is well made from a good thick gauge of steel plate with cast iron doors. Parts are also plentiful even in France.

If you are getting one for over there then buy the pipe and flue locally as it is much cheaper. I haven't had a chance to try the cooking facility, but will let you know how we get on when we do...next February or so.

I hope that helps anyone considering one of these.

Overall rating:

4.5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 4.7)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 4.4)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.7)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 4.8)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 3.8)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.2)
Handle operation 4 flames (avg 4)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 4.5)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 4.5)