WhatStove?

Review of Villager Chelsea Solo

Love this stove!!

Dave Maurice 10 years ago

I am a coal merchant, and had been hanging my nose over this stove for a long time. Had it fitted last October, in time for the appalling winter! Once I had got used to lighting it, how often to refuel, etc, I could practically make it talk!!

I burn mostly smokeless solid fuel briquettes that lasted anywhere between 3 and 12 hours, depending on how we used the primary air and airwash controls, how much of an ash bed was already in place, etc.

Had no problem at all keeping it in overnight or whilst my wife and I were both at work during the day.

The airwash does work very well on this stove, but I tend to keep it closed anyway just after lighting, to make the fuel go further. Any smoke on glass is usually burnt off when fire is up to max temperature.

Handle gets very hot, and you have to use the glove provided, but there aren't many stoves I know of where the handle stays cool to the touch.

Riddling grate works well, and grate bars are very easy to remove, as are the bricks, grate frame and throat plate.

I have had to replace the rope seal on the door, and decided to replace the clips on the door glass. Was very easy and cheap to do, and considering the hammering the stove took last winter it was the least I could do to maintain ready for the upcoming winter.

I really can't find any negatives on this stove, it's been worth every penny and has made our lounge even cosier.

My wife always complains of being cold, especially in winter, but she said that last winter was the first time she's actually been warm, (in fact sometimes too warm!!)

Highly recommend this brilliant stove!

Overall rating:

4.5 flames

Build Quality 4.5 flames (avg 3.6)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 3.9)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 3.9)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.2)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.4)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 3.6)
How well does the airwash work 4.5 flames (avg 3.8)
Controllability 4.5 flames (avg 3.6)
Handle operation 2.5 flames (avg 3.1)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 3.5)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 3.7)