Stovax vs Clearview Stoves
Discussion
My Father-in-law has two Clearview log burning stoves. They're now about 20 years old, but they're great. The best thing about them from my point of view is that they're really controllable - they're honestly like a gas burner the way you can turn it up and down.
We had a Hunter stove in our last place - primitive at best, it had nothing like the control.
We've bought a Stovax Brunel for one of our rooms - it's a little stove, for a small-ish room. It's controllable to a point, but as it's so small, there's no way you can stoke it up with a big log and expect it to be still alight the next morning the way you can with my Father-in-law's.
Clearview stoves are about 600 quid more than the equivalent big Stovax (11.5Kw). I kind of hoped by now that the 'other' makes of stoves such as Stovax had caught up with Clearview and I could bank the 600 - the looks being much of a muchness - noth handsome metal boxes.... My current thoughts are that 600 quid over the lifetime of the stove is feck all, but 600 quid is 600 quid....
Anyone got a view on this?
We had a Hunter stove in our last place - primitive at best, it had nothing like the control.
We've bought a Stovax Brunel for one of our rooms - it's a little stove, for a small-ish room. It's controllable to a point, but as it's so small, there's no way you can stoke it up with a big log and expect it to be still alight the next morning the way you can with my Father-in-law's.
Clearview stoves are about 600 quid more than the equivalent big Stovax (11.5Kw). I kind of hoped by now that the 'other' makes of stoves such as Stovax had caught up with Clearview and I could bank the 600 - the looks being much of a muchness - noth handsome metal boxes.... My current thoughts are that 600 quid over the lifetime of the stove is feck all, but 600 quid is 600 quid....
Anyone got a view on this?
I researched for ages before buying my Woodwarm multifuel stove.
I was all set for a Clearview as you don't hear a bad word spoken about them. Everyone who has one rates them highly. But therein lies the problem. Not many people have had the luxury of owning more than one stove so can't compare their Clearview to any other stove.
I had a long conversation with the retailer I bought my stove from, he explained that he wanted to be a dealer of Clearview and asked them to visit his showroom. Clearview were keen to supply their stoves to him, but with the strict condition that he removed from display certain competitors stoves that were of equal or better quality/performance. They also demanded that he sell a specified number of stoves each year, or lose the 'privilege' of selling their stoves. He kindly declined their offer, and told them to leave his showroom.
Also, Clearview don't publish any figures relating to how efficient their stoves are. Most manufacturers state their stoves are say 80% efficient, but Clearview don't.
Clearview certainly have a great brand name, everyone wants a stove that has a glass door that stays clear when burning, and maybe folk buy them with this in mind? Yet any stove that has an air wash system can achieve this.
As stated, I went for a Woodwarm Phoenix Firegem 5KW, which I'm very very happy with. But dont let me put you off, as I do believe Clearview are very good stoves. After all, all the folk who have them rate them highly.
I was all set for a Clearview as you don't hear a bad word spoken about them. Everyone who has one rates them highly. But therein lies the problem. Not many people have had the luxury of owning more than one stove so can't compare their Clearview to any other stove.
I had a long conversation with the retailer I bought my stove from, he explained that he wanted to be a dealer of Clearview and asked them to visit his showroom. Clearview were keen to supply their stoves to him, but with the strict condition that he removed from display certain competitors stoves that were of equal or better quality/performance. They also demanded that he sell a specified number of stoves each year, or lose the 'privilege' of selling their stoves. He kindly declined their offer, and told them to leave his showroom.
Also, Clearview don't publish any figures relating to how efficient their stoves are. Most manufacturers state their stoves are say 80% efficient, but Clearview don't.
Clearview certainly have a great brand name, everyone wants a stove that has a glass door that stays clear when burning, and maybe folk buy them with this in mind? Yet any stove that has an air wash system can achieve this.
As stated, I went for a Woodwarm Phoenix Firegem 5KW, which I'm very very happy with. But dont let me put you off, as I do believe Clearview are very good stoves. After all, all the folk who have them rate them highly.
Edited by LeadFarmer on Sunday 10th September 21:51
LeadFarmer said:
I researched for ages before buying my Woodwarm multifuel stove.
I was all set for a Clearview as you don't hear a bad word spoken about them. Everyone who has one rates them highly. But therein lies the problem. Not many people have had the luxury of owning more than one stove so can't compare their Clearview to any other stove.
I had a long conversation with the retailer I bought my stove from, he explained that he wanted to be a dealer of Clearview and asked them to visit his showroom. Clearview were keen to supply their stoves to him, but with the strict condition he removed from display certain competitors stoves that were of equal or better quality/performance. They also demanded that he sell a specified number of stoves each year. He kinda declined their offer, and told them to leave his showroom.
Also, Clearview don't publish any figures relating to how efficient their stoves are. Most manufacturers state their stoves are say 80% efficient, but Clearview don't.
Clearview certainly have a great brand name, everyone wants a stove that has a glass door that stays clear when burning, and maybe folk buy them with this in mind? Yet any stove that has an air wash system can achieve this.
As stated, I went for a Woodwarm Phoenix Firegem, which I'm very very happy with. Butdont let me put you off, as I do believe Clearview are very good stoves.
Will it burn a log all night though? I was all set for a Clearview as you don't hear a bad word spoken about them. Everyone who has one rates them highly. But therein lies the problem. Not many people have had the luxury of owning more than one stove so can't compare their Clearview to any other stove.
I had a long conversation with the retailer I bought my stove from, he explained that he wanted to be a dealer of Clearview and asked them to visit his showroom. Clearview were keen to supply their stoves to him, but with the strict condition he removed from display certain competitors stoves that were of equal or better quality/performance. They also demanded that he sell a specified number of stoves each year. He kinda declined their offer, and told them to leave his showroom.
Also, Clearview don't publish any figures relating to how efficient their stoves are. Most manufacturers state their stoves are say 80% efficient, but Clearview don't.
Clearview certainly have a great brand name, everyone wants a stove that has a glass door that stays clear when burning, and maybe folk buy them with this in mind? Yet any stove that has an air wash system can achieve this.
As stated, I went for a Woodwarm Phoenix Firegem, which I'm very very happy with. Butdont let me put you off, as I do believe Clearview are very good stoves.
LeadFarmer said:
I researched for ages before buying my Woodwarm multifuel stove.
...and some other stuff
I have a 9kW Woodwarm Fireview in my lounge, must be easily 20 years old, and brand new 8kW Mendio Loxton (dual sided) in my hall/dining room. Now I realise a dual sided stove will never burn as well as a single sided stove due to the air flow patterns, but the Woodwarm is miles ahead of the Mendip in terms of starting to burn, controlling the burn and being able to shut down to a smoulder. I couldn't get a dual sided Woodwarm in the size/model I wanted, hence another brand. I've heard good things about Clearview but have no personal experience of them....and some other stuff
Lesgrandepotato said:
11.5kw stove, that's in a seriously big room right? Or a really old draughty house? I think you are going to be roasted alive.
There was a great thread with a PH'er installing an industrial sized stove in his house. Can't find it, anyone recall?As Leadfarmer suggests I installed a stove so have no comparison but it was a Clearview and can confirm the exceptional controllability,
regards,
Jet
Lesgrandepotato said:
11.5kw stove, that's in a seriously big room right? Or a really old draughty house? I think you are going to be roasted alive.
Bit of both really. The room is 8m x 5m. It's a detached Georgian era farmhouse. The stove will sit in a chimney alcove, so inevitably some of the heat will end up heating the back of the alcove, and therefore bits of the house behind it. It's rare that stoves are stoked up to the max and burning full on anyway. LeadFarmer said:
I researched for ages before buying my Woodwarm multifuel stove.
I was all set for a Clearview as you don't hear a bad word spoken about them. Everyone who has one rates them highly. But therein lies the problem. Not many people have had the luxury of owning more than one stove so can't compare their Clearview to any other stove.
... and other interesting stuff
Yeah, you're right - hard to get a like for like. Dovre are good, but again, they are the same ballpark as Clearview in terms of price. I guess it's the controllability that's the feature I really want - that ability to go from smoulder to almost roaring with a quick fiddle with a knob (hahaha) is a winner....I was all set for a Clearview as you don't hear a bad word spoken about them. Everyone who has one rates them highly. But therein lies the problem. Not many people have had the luxury of owning more than one stove so can't compare their Clearview to any other stove.
... and other interesting stuff
EggsBenedict said:
Yeah, you're right - hard to get a like for like.
I found the whole process of choosing a stove to be a complete nightmare. Every retailer you visit recommends a different stove, and it just so happens to be a stove that they sell. Mention a different retailers stove and they will tell you about how poor it is. Its extremely difficult to get any idea of which stove to purchase. Maybe this is why Clearview are popular? With every owner speaking highly of them? But would a different stove have been even better? Its impossible to say.In the end I ignored the retailers suggestions, and chose a stove based on what owners had said, via various forums etc. Woodwarm was a brand that seemed to stand out, just like Clearview. They are made in Devon UK and were highly regarded by owners. I guess I was dissuaded from Clearview by what my retailer told me of his experience with them. He was vary balanced with his opinion, stating that Clearview were very good stoves, but there were no figures published about how good they were compared to other brands.
Eggs Benedict, I think if you buy a Clearview you will be extremely happy with it. But could you get a stove thats just as good for less money? Probably. But who can say? I would recommend you go with Clearview based on your current experience with them, you know they work and you know they are controllable. As for my Woodwarm, its extremely adjustable, the slightest turn of the levers has an instant effect on the fire.
Edited by LeadFarmer on Monday 11th September 11:39
Thanks LeadFarmer.
It may come down to installer - I've looked at your woodwarm stoves and looked at the instructions - looks pretty detailed. We've used the same installers for both stoves we've bought so far - if they don't 'do' ClearView (they retail as well) it maybe that we go with something else. Thanks again...
It may come down to installer - I've looked at your woodwarm stoves and looked at the instructions - looks pretty detailed. We've used the same installers for both stoves we've bought so far - if they don't 'do' ClearView (they retail as well) it maybe that we go with something else. Thanks again...
JackReacher said:
Apologies for the thread drift, how do Heta stoves compare to Stovax etc? We really like the look of the Inspire model.
The Inspire 45 was our first stove and fitted last year. It ran very well throughout the winter and was a delight on cold weekends. I am not an expert on stoves but my experience with the Inspire, as a novice, has been positive. How much of the success is down to the chimney/flue, the logs or specifically the stove I couldn't say. I really like the design with the big window compared to more traditional designs, I want to be able to see the logs and flames
SWMBO was keen on a clearview, the fitter said he'd quote for it and happily fit but also quoted for a charnwood which would be considerably cheaper. In his view the clearview was better at self cleaning the glass, but the heat output wouldn't be noticeably different and the price gap was large. We went for the charnwood.
MisterJD said:
The Inspire 45 was our first stove and fitted last year. It ran very well throughout the winter and was a delight on cold weekends. I am not an expert on stoves but my experience with the Inspire, as a novice, has been positive. How much of the success is down to the chimney/flue, the logs or specifically the stove I couldn't say.
I really like the design with the big window compared to more traditional designs, I want to be able to see the logs and flames
Thanks, sounds positive. We like it as well for contemporary look and large window, but thats no good if it doesn't work well as a stove. A few reviews I have found are positive as well.I really like the design with the big window compared to more traditional designs, I want to be able to see the logs and flames
JackReacher said:
MisterJD said:
The Inspire 45 was our first stove and fitted last year. It ran very well throughout the winter and was a delight on cold weekends. I am not an expert on stoves but my experience with the Inspire, as a novice, has been positive. How much of the success is down to the chimney/flue, the logs or specifically the stove I couldn't say.
I really like the design with the big window compared to more traditional designs, I want to be able to see the logs and flames
Thanks, sounds positive. We like it as well for contemporary look and large window, but thats no good if it doesn't work well as a stove. A few reviews I have found are positive as well.I really like the design with the big window compared to more traditional designs, I want to be able to see the logs and flames
I'd think twice about buying one.
I have 2 Stovax stoves (a Stovax 4 and a Stovax 6 Highline).
They are our only source of heating, and from about the end of September until April they are used daily.
Both have been great since new (6 years ago), and I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending them.
The small Stovax 4 is a wood only stove, the Stovax 6 Highline is a multifuel, but we've only ever used it for wood.
My parents had a Stovax Vogue Medium installed a couple of years ago, and it's very nice. You can tell it's a more expensive model.
They are our only source of heating, and from about the end of September until April they are used daily.
Both have been great since new (6 years ago), and I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending them.
The small Stovax 4 is a wood only stove, the Stovax 6 Highline is a multifuel, but we've only ever used it for wood.
My parents had a Stovax Vogue Medium installed a couple of years ago, and it's very nice. You can tell it's a more expensive model.
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