Which Inset+boiler stove?

Gaffcut

We are in the interesting stage of deciding which type of stove to install. We have narrowed it down to Mulberry Stoker inset with boiler, or the same spec Esse. Both seem to be about the 1500 euro mark, but don't know how they compare functionally. I seem to remember a previous post mentioning disappointing size of ash pan with the latter. Any advice please ?

Stove Fan

Gaffcut wrote: »

We are in the interesting stage of deciding which type of stove to install. We have narrowed it down to Mulberry Stoker inset with boiler, or the same spec Esse. Both seem to be about the 1500 euro mark, but don't know how they compare functionally. I seem to remember a previous post mentioning disappointing size of ash pan with the latter. Any advice please ?

I would go for esse out of the two. I had never heard of mulberry before coming to Ireland but esse are well known.

I did a search on mulberry stoker and one person (timh) was dissapointed with the heat output.

http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?p=1012879

If I was fitting an inset boiler stove into my home it would be a parkray cumbria:).
http://www.parkray.co.uk/HTML/Cumbria.html

Or the aarrow stratford EB12HE

http://www.stratfordboilerstoves.co.uk/models/inset-stoves/eb12i-he.html

Stove Fan:)

Gaffcut

Thanks very much for advice. I have undertaken various searches and do quite like the sound of the Esse, and it looks good. Someone did suggest the ash pan was small, so will pop into local supplier when hols are over(tomorrow). Also looked at G range Parkray, but it doesn't seem to be other than anthracite burning, and I want a bit more of a multifuelish aspect,- logs, coal, old socks etc.
More later.

Stove Fan

Gaffcut wrote: »

Thanks very much for advice. I have undertaken various searches and do quite like the sound of the Esse, and it looks good. Someone did suggest the ash pan was small, so will pop into local supplier when hols are over(tomorrow). Also looked at G range Parkray, but it doesn't seem to be other than anthracite burning, and I want a bit more of a multifuelish aspect,- logs, coal, old socks etc.
More later.

Yes the G range parkray can only burn smokeless. The one with plain one piece glass door.
But the parkray cumbria can burn coal, smokeless and wood and is supplied with the 2 different baffle plates. One for wood and one for coal burning.

You shouldn't really burn wood and coal or smokeless together as it produces sulphuric acid which corrodes your stove and chimney.

Burning the two fuels seperately is more efficient as the coal doesn't burn the wood out quicker.

Viewing the esse or any stove in person is a great idea as you can see what your getting.

Stove Fan:)

Gaffcut

Stove Fan, Thank you for your considered replies and the useful information which I have printed off for my own guidance. I have one or two thoughts buzzing here. In far off times I installed a steel stove (home-made) in the hearth of a cottage. Inorder to ensure the air flow up the chimney had to pass through the stove system, I packed the flue pipe exterior with glass wool. The result was excellent,- totally air-tight; but I am not sure if the material was fireproof although it showed no sign of damage in its close encounter with the flue side.
I am looking for ideas to use a similar but safe( I was going to say 'sure fire') method of doing the same. The material used in our loft insulation is wool made from re-cycled plastic bottles. It is quite inert under blow-lamp flame, and may behave as the glass wool did. Any ideas please?
One other minor point occurs. These stoves are likely to retain warmth all night. How is the ash-pan emptied without leaving an airborne trail of dust in it's wake ?

Stove Fan

Gaffcut wrote: »

Stove Fan, Thank you for your considered replies and the useful information which I have printed off for my own guidance. I have one or two thoughts buzzing here. In far off times I installed a steel stove (home-made) in the hearth of a cottage. Inorder to ensure the air flow up the chimney had to pass through the stove system, I packed the flue pipe exterior with glass wool. The result was excellent,- totally air-tight; but I am not sure if the material was fireproof although it showed no sign of damage in its close encounter with the flue side.
I am looking for ideas to use a similar but safe( I was going to say 'sure fire') method of doing the same. The material used in our loft insulation is wool made from re-cycled plastic bottles. It is quite inert under blow-lamp flame, and may behave as the glass wool did. Any ideas please?
One other minor point occurs. These stoves are likely to retain warmth all night. How is the ash-pan emptied without leaving an airborne trail of dust in it's wake ?

Don't use anything other than whats reccomended. I doubt very much that recycled glass bottles is totally fireproof. More like fire retardant.

If the chimney uses suitable materials it wont be necessary to insulate the flue pipe from the stove to register plate. You want the heat from this but above the register plate you can insulate around the flexible stainless flue liner with vermiculite. If the flue is external it should be a twinwall insulated flue.

Emptying the ashpan is either taking it outside with the tool but can blow dust inside when opening the door if its windy.
Placing it in an ash tippy which has a lid and then taking it outside to empty would be the best way.
http://www.tippyash.co.uk/AshCarriers.htm

Some manufacturers make their own ash tippy.

Stove Fan:)

davidoco

I installed a new Esse 350GS about 6 weeks ago as the only heating for a 1200 sq ft cottage. You need to consider carefully the room in which the unit is going as the output to room while decent does not seem to give the 3.5 KW quoted. We had rads in that room so had that covered.

I'm finding I have to put a log in the back of the firebox as it is a very large fire box and there is far too much output for my needs. We burn antracite and a nugget type coal (ratio 3:1) with the odd stick. Antracite is a very high output clean fuel with little smoke but no flame :eek:

I'm very happy with the unit for now. The output from the boiler can be significant even with the smallest fire going. I never see a situation where I'll have more than 1/3 of the firebox filled with fuel. Unlike oil where it would be on/off we run the solid fuel ticking over all day which leads to nice temp in the house and the thermostat on the boiler gives that control. You can leave a small mound of antracite burn for 4 or 5 hours when out and then just shake it and add a small bit of new fuel when you get back for near instant (10 to 15 minutes) heat to rads.

The ash pan needs empyting once a day but that's solid fuel.

Gaffcut

Yet another thanks, but ref the flu insulation, I should have explained that the fireplace surround may not be leak-proof, and air which should have been drawn into the stove may instead find its own way up the chimney unless the gap between flu and chimney is sealed somehow, and a stuffing with fireproof material would cure the problem. Vermiculite I have, but difficult to use for the purpose. I must think on and exoeriment.