WhatStove?

Review of Westfire 20 stove

Pretty but disappointing

Dan C 14 years ago

I've owned a number of stoves and while this is the best looking by far it is weak on performance. A particular annoyance is the door which does not open 180 degrees. The handle stays cool to touch which is good but I am yet to find a setting which maintains a healthy flame and steady burn rate - this is partly down to my logs but I've achieved good fires with the same wood on another stove.

If you love the look and have the budget it's not a bad buy but if performance and price are more important to you than aesthetics I'd keep looking.

Stove expert replied: modern, heavily baffled, efficient stoves may not cope as well with poor fuel or a poor chimney (they often need a decent draw). If you have poor fuel then I would advise that you season it properly as burning wet wood will tar up your chimney, but if you are going to burn it then you might well be best off using a basic stove that is not heavily baffled so that it sends a fair bit of heat up the chimney.

Overall rating:

2.5 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 4.5)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 4.5)
Value for money 2 flames (avg 3)
Ease of use 3 flames (avg 4)
Ease of lighting 3 flames (avg 3.5)
Firebox size 1 flames (avg 2.5)
How well does the airwash work 2 flames (avg 2.5)
Controllability 2 flames (avg 3)
Handle operation 2 flames (avg 3.5)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 3)
What is your overall satisfaction? 3 flames (avg 4)