[DK]

Hoping someone can help ease my confusion...  We're looking at installing a wood (or multi fuel) burning stove in our two storey garage to create temporary living space.  We're not wanting to spend very much (this is going to be a temporary solution whilst we complete our self build) and I've done quite a lot or research, only to be driven to distraction with the minefield that is stove shopping! 

Looking at something around 6 - 8KW and so far I've looked at a million brands of stove (that seem to actually be the same Chinese import under various brand names such as FireFox and Clarke).  I've also looked at Prity (Bulgarian) Stoves, but am becoming increasingly confused with conflicting reviews and can't now decide what to do for the best!  I am quite attracted to this one: http://www.modernstoves.co.uk/review/product/list/id/73/ but can't find any independent reviews on either the company or the stove...

Basically, we want a top quality stove for as little money as possible Can anyone offer any wisdom that might stop me going round in circles please?

Thanks!
 

[cloddopper]

DK where do you live ?   You may find someone close to you can point you to a local place with a lot of experience of wood burners .

[Womble]

Hi DK,  My friend has a Prity stove in his mobile home, which also has a back boiler for heating the radiators. He bought it on Ebay.

Overall, it was terrific value for money. OK, it's not a thing of beauty, and it doesn't shut down as well (i.e.  it is not as airtight) as our cast iron Villager stove. However, it was a fraction of the price.

Personally, if I wanted a temporary solution for a year or two, I would get one of the Prity stoves without hesitation. HTH! 

[DK]

Thanks for that Womble - I guess I was needing reassurance as I did spy the prity stoves on ebay (direct from Bulgaria) and taking all things into account I know that you tend to get what you pay for.  That said - they do seem to be reasonable for what we're looking for (and they're not THAT ugly, lol!).  It would be a basic purpose the stove would serve (but I do like the idea of being able to boil a kettle on there).  One more concern is I we have 2 small children (3 & 5) but again I suppose it's up to us to make sure adequate safety precautions are taken.

Thanks too Cloddopper - We're near the north coast of NI and the showrooms etc. tend to be less specialist and more expensive (plus I'm always sceptical about taking advice of someone trying to sell you something, lol - that's why I thought I's ask you guys).  Will have another ask around though. 

Thanks again both of you for taking the time to reply - useful stuff! X

[Womble]

That said - they do seem to be reasonable for what we're looking for (and they're not THAT ugly, lol!).

Let's face it. It's a metal box that you light a fire inside. You can buy one for £200, or £2000. The basic principle is the same. Have a look at this photo of the Prity:


You've got exposed welds for the hinges (a bit ugly, but I drive a Landy, and that has exposed welds everywhere!). Also the door doesn't really 'fit' the opening - it's just an oversized flat plate that sits across it. The same is true for the ash drawer. So the whole thing is really easy to make out of sheet metal, which is why they can sell them so cheaply. That doesn't make them bad though, and they definitely work (simple is good!). Even though my friend's stove does leak more air than our more expensive model, he can still keep a fire in overnight without problems.

One more concern is I we have 2 small children (3 & 5) but again I suppose it's up to us to make sure adequate safety precautions are taken.

In that case, have a really good think about how you're going to install it and guard it - i.e. now, rather than as an afterthought. When we moved into our place, there was a really nice toddler guard around the fire made out of stair banister rods. It didn't look out of place at all.

You're right about the showrooms too. We were quoted between £8K and £12K by various local suppliers for a stove which we bought ex display for £1400 and installed ourselves over three days for about £800 IIRC, using information from The Stove Fitters Manual website (this required lots of plumbing and a massive heat-leak radiator, which wouldn't have been needed except for the back-boiler). Just be careful of the rules and regs, since in England at least I believe it is now mandatory to have your stove installed by a HETAS registered professional.

Have you seen this thread from when I was asking the same questions myself at the time? I've just re-read it, and there's lots of useful information on there  .

[DK]

Thanks (yet again) for that Womble - lots of good advice and info there!

Good idea Re: the toddler safety aspect.  As you can imagine living on a building site should provide us with plenty of guard materials (plus we have a basic cage type guard where we are at the moment on the open fire - so we should be able to cobble something secure together).

I know we could pay a lot more for a much superior stove, but we'll think about that for the house when it's ready - the Prity would probably keep us right for a year or so in the garage (and sure after that if we decided to go along the holiday let route after that we could think about replacing it if needs be).  Must check out the HETAS ting mind you - we were planning the most of the work ourselves (hubby is pretty handy and from a building background) but we do have a plumber friend we could possibly impose on.

All good, positive (and practical) advice there Womble.  Thank you!  X