multi fuel stove second hand?

[Happylittlemouse]

Hi,
I really want to fit a multi fuel stove in our middle room of an average sized terrace.

My question is, are multi fuel stoves ok to buy second hand? I've had to spend a lot of money doing some major reconstruction and funds are limited.

So, is it better to save up for a new stove and get a guarantee etc or are the old ones built to last? ie if I just research makes etc is it worth trying to pick up a second hand one off eBay?

Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you in advance :-)

[Sandthorn]

Hmm, well... honestly, of the total cost of having a stove installed, the stove itself is a relatively minor part. We had to have our chimney swept, checked and lined (£1200, but essential for safe running). Then 2 long days work by a HETAS-accredited fitter, who supplied our hearth and other materials... That was about £600. The stove was £800.

So, if you've budgeted for the rest of it, then I'd talk to the fitter about what they think of 2nd hand. I think modern stoves are a lot more efficient than the old monster that ran our central heating when I was a kid, but you might be able to pick up something fairly recent for a good price. And they're pretty basic technology, so if your fitter agrees that it's not mechanically-damaged, I don't see why it shouldn't run perfectly well.

[Happylittlemouse]

Hi,
Please forgive me for picking your brains but the old monster you speak of, how old would that be?

I have a lovely hetas man who just swept chimneys (open fire bedroom and front room) but I really want the advice of someone who lives with a stove day in day out, if you see what I mean.

Sorry to be a dimwit, but I take it you have a modern stove? Please may I ask make if allowed on the forum and are you happy with it?

If not allowed thank you so much for your advice so far, I appreciate it so much! Xx

[Sandthorn]

Oh god, the old central heating stove was from the late 70s/early 80s. It was enormous, not pretty, and definitely no clean-burn/air wash or what have you.

Our stove is a 'westfire one', bought from Stoves Online. I don't work for either company, but I can't say enough good about either. Stoves Online were more than generous with their advice even after I told them that we weren't sure we were going to have the money to buy the stove. The stove is the perfect size for our sitting room (3.5 x 3.5 x 2.4m), both in terms of heat output, and visually. It manages to look classic without any of the fussy details that come with most traditional stoves, and it REALLY belts out the heat when we ask it to! Oh, and it has all the features you'd expect from a modern stove, easy to empty the ash pan, occasionally clean the glass with damp newspaper dipped in ash, easy to light, smokeless-zone-legal... Can you tell I quite like it?

[GalaxyInMyPants]

I've just ordered a charnwood cove stove. Charnwood seem to be a good make as do morso. I'd have thought a decent quality stove from a good make wouldn't really go wrong unless its been abused such as burning house coal in it which isn't recommended.

Its costing me £3400 to have a stove and have it fitted. Think the stove is £1200 of that.

[SunshineOutdoors]

Are you in a smoke free area? If so it might be worth paying for a defra exempt stove so you can still burn wood. Don't know if this would be easy to get second hand or not. Also it's worth getting advice on size appropriate for your size of house, we're fairly small mid terrace and I don't want one too big or it will make the room too hot. We've chosen to pay a bit more to get a decent company to sell, fit and advise on the stove to ensure the best one, and they will also help troubleshoot any problems once fitted.