Loobyloo

I Just found this in the stove installation instructions: "The Classic 5 Eco must be fitted with a permanent stop to prevent closure of the secondary air control beyond 3mm open." Mystery solved! Thanks everyone who chipped in to help. I now just have to get a thermometer and work out how to get the best burn with this stove. Lucy

I'll try and get a video of it later. It does seem like there's a strong draw up the chimney. I've been burning kiln-dried birch logs – I'm in a smokeless zone, so I can only use that or smokeless 'coal' which may be worth trying. Thanks!

Ah, interesting! Ok I'd better get a stove thermometer...

Yes it's a 5kw stove, and I was assured this was the right size (it's a one-bedroom 'lower colony' in Edinburgh – I was told a bigger one would be too hot! 😅) I don't have a thermometer, but it sounds like I should get one - thanks.

Thanks Alan – is your stove a DEFRA-approved 'clean burn'? This is what seems to be making the difference. My parents have one of the older stoves (before it became mandatory in my area to get the clean burn ones), and like you they have to open windows/doors as their house gets too hot! I'm envious!

Ah ok, so it is actually a 'thing' to not be able to fully close one of the valves? I am in an old property (built 1860), but it's small! The stove heats up the living room eventually if I keep the door closed.... I think I'm just really disappointed with the heat efficiency

Three years ago I had a DEFRA approved Multifuel stove fitted (Gallery Collection Classic Clean 5). I noticed within a few days of using it that it had poor heat efficiency and seemed to roar through the logs (kiln dried), which seems wildly uneconomical. I also noticed that I couldn't fully close the top valve, so I rang the installers who came round to look, and told me that that was a design feature of this type of stove, to not be able to fully close that valve – this is what makes it a clean burn stove they said. So I accepted my lot and got on with it, but every year as winter approaches and I start using the stove again, I can't help feeling it's a bit pointless – it doesn't give out half the heat that my parents stove does (also a 5kw), and I spend £££ on logs. And yes I'm building/starting the fire correctly, fully closing the bottom valve, and the door seal seems tight. I have just downloaded the stove instructions (the installers didn't leave me any), and there is no mention of one of the valves only half closing as a particular feature. Wondering if I've been duped?! Any thoughts very much appreciated :)