There are so many stoves in the market different from brands, styles, types or outputs, it's quite hard to find the right one especially at your first time.
Before adding your favorite stove to cart, we recommend you to read the following Buying Guide from Astove uk. We believe it will help you find the optimal stove to enjoy the winter according to your lifestyle, budget and personal preferences as well as the size etc.
Choose The Right Fuel
There are a number of different fuels available, therefore a good starting point when choosing your stove is to decide on the fuel you want to use. Below we have listed some main fuels with a brief guide.
- Wood Burning Stoves
Wood is a kind of cheap fuels and carbon neutral source of fuel for its renewable attribute. When burnt, wood offers the best flame effect and the unbeatable smell and sound of a real fire. The ash doesn't need emptying as often as coal and new fires can just be lit on the ashes in the bottom of the stove. In addition, you should prepare some woods and dry them out for your new wood stove.
- Multi Fuel Stoves
A smokeless coal will produce more heat than wood and burns a lot slower, which is ideal for an evening fire or to slumber the fire the whole night. You have the option of lots of fuels like wood, coal or even peat. Anthracite is the ideal fuel for the multi fuel stove.
- Solid Fuel Stoves
If wood or coal is your fuel of choice, you could choose a stove, but a class 1 flue is a necessity for solid fuel stoves. If you live in a smoke-controlled area, you´ll need to use smokeless fuel and be prepared to clean the grate between fires. Meanwhile, where are you going to buy seasoned wood or smokeless fuel, and how will you store it are the questions that you should think about.
- Electric Stoves
Electric stoves have really moved on in recent years. They are now great value for money and have all the benefits of a decorative gas fire. No chimney or installation required and can be fitted in any location with access to a standard electrical socket. The appliance can be moved easily within the home or even taken with you if you move.
- Gas Stoves
Gas stove is a new hole-in-the-wall style fireplace which can give a really modern look. Moving a fire up off the floor creates a contemporary style statement and can work well in a period property.
- Flueless Fireplaces
A relatively recent innovation, flueless fireplaces don´t require a chimney as they use a catalytic converter to remove fumes. Flueless fireplaces are an expanding market. The great thing is that none of the heat is lost up a chimney, so they´re 100% energy efficient with low running costs, and they only use 25 per cent of the gas consumed by other decorative models. Flueless fireplaces require a minimum room size and additional ventilation into the room.
Choose The Right Size
When it comes to purchasing a stove for your home, as well as considering the stoves' style, colour and period, the size is perhaps the most important consideration of all. If you have enough room for the stove to function properly and conform to building regulations.
- Height
The distance from the top to bottom of the stove. Most stoves are quite short, but care should be taken if you purchase a canopy as these sit on top of the stove adding height. The height listed does not include the flue collar if the top flue outlet is used.
- Width
The distance across the front of the stove as you look at it face on. Ensure the stove will fit in the narrowest width of your fireplace if you are using one. It is best if you leave a space around the stove to allow the heat from the sides of the stove to enter the room.
- Depth
The distance from the front to the back of the stove. You should ensure that there is a sufficient hearth in front of the stove to avoid singeing your flooring. If you choose a stove with a rear flue this will add extra depth onto the stove, you need to take this into account.
Choose The Right Output
The heat output of a stove is measured in Kilowatts (kW). The output you require is dependent on the size of the room to be heated. To identify the output you require either use our calculator below or the simple calculation which follows.
You should ensure the top (and sides) of the stove is a safe distance from any combustible material such as wooden lintels or beams.
Room measurements:
1. Multiply Room Length x Room Width x Room Height (measure in metres if possible).
2. If your measurements are in feet and inches multiply the figure by 0.028368 to convert to metres.
3. Divide the figure you have (the space of your room in cubic metres) by 14 (on average 1Kw will heat 14 cubic metres of space).
4. Your final figure is the output you will need from a stove to heat your room.
This calculation is only a guide. The ability of a stove to heat your room will be affected by such aspects as a larger than usual number of doors or windows (including patio) in the room, or other draft sources. In these cases you may need to look at a stove with a greater output.
About Our Stoves
Cast iron stoves in Astove.co.uk are in high quality, competitive price and well-deserved reputation, made by famous manufacturer, such as Sunrain, Boston, Coseyfire, etc. We pick the most popular and realistic ones from thousands of stoves and remove those inferior quality products for our customers.
