The old Hunter Hawk 3, just prior to removal
It’s certainly cut my gas bill since I’ve been using it but I’ve never been entirely happy with it for lots of reasons:a) I felt it wasn’t particularly controllable compared to other stove installations I’ve seen.
b) The heat output wasn’t a great as I would have expected.
c) It didn’t seem particularly efficient.
d) It was a bit messy.
A few weeks ago I decided enough was enough and after some considerable research put my hand in Barclaycard’s pocket and bought a new stove – a Belge-Franco Montfort Elegance. It’s larger than the Hunter stove, but not hugely so. It will take larger logs, and like the Hunter, will burn solid fuel as well as wood.
The new Belge-Franco Montfort Elegance – loaded and ready to launch
At 80kg+ it’s a lump to move, but now it’s in situ it won’t be going anywhere soon. Installation took no time at all, I just took the old stove out and slid the new stove into it’s place. Even the stove pipe was the same diameter as the Hunter’s.What a difference! This stove is everything the old one wasn’t. The heat output is quite phenomenal, it’s absolutely controllable, it’s considerably less messy, it’s efficient….the list could go on. And on.
This stove benefits from a cast iron body whereas the Hunter was made from mild steel. Cast iron seems to stay warm and radiate heat long after the fire has gone out.
I’m well pleased.
Now thats what i call a backpacking stove. Can’t wait to see your pan set.
ReplyDeleteI'm well jealous. We're still loving the new house but the one thing it's lacking is a chimney - or anywhere you could flue a wood burner :-(
ReplyDeleteLooks just the job! Ours is a Jotel, although it only burns logs, its absolutely fantastic! Even better since I bought one of those EcoFans to run on the top and help distribute the heat outwards. Love it! btw Happy New Year JJ!
ReplyDeleteAlan: I neglected to point out one of the advantages of stoves like these - pop a casserole on the top and it cooks it beautifully slowly. I've yet to sort a way of carrying the stove in the rucksack though!
ReplyDeleteGayle: Have a look at http://thegreenlivingforum.net - there's a section on woodburning stoves entitled 'Been told you can't have a stove?' Well worth a read, you just never know!
Laura: Lovely to hear from you - and a Happy New Year to you too! I was going to buy an EcoFan but as I had a couple of old computer fans in my junk box, I settled on using one of those instead - although they need volts to drive them. It's now too hot in the lounge on all but the coldest of days.
I've just updated the post with a piccie of the new stove in situ.
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