Friday 26 August 2011

What watts





My, but I've been busy! As well as testing the repaired oven (cheese scones, plum and almond cake, a bit damp but delicious), ordering window blinds, registering with GP, vet and dentist, caving in to the damper atmosphere here and buying a tumble drier, I've been shopping for something I've wanted for years, a wood burning stove. I know that in some quarters they are considered a passing trend, a fashion fancy, but I seem to be in authentic wood burning country here, and my cavernous fireplace cries out for one.


First hurdle: what size? In kilowatts, that is, not centimetres. Not straightforward, that one.

One local stockist/supplier/fitter/aftercarer/stove nursemaid comes highly recommended by absolutely everyone, so I am now on first-name terms with him and his crew as we measure and look through brochures, go online, chew our pencils, and argue gently amongst ourselves about how powerful a stove is required for my sitting room.

Kev (who feels the cold) thinks 8 kw. Dave thinks 6. I fret about both, because I know that ten minutes of having the central heating radiator on warms this room for hours, and that the last thing I want is a sitting room as hot as the hobs of Hell, as they'd say up North, with me standing out in the garden in the middle of February, red-faced and sticky, trying to cool off while my stove blasts out  ferocious heat cosy warmth with all its might.

So the boss - who thought that 4 or 5 kilowatts might suffice, came out to have a look for himself this afternoon, and a 5kw it will be. Toasty-warm, not charcoaled.

He brought my specs, forgotten on the showroom desk, with him. I am growing ever dottier....

The other hurdle was the style. There are stoves to suit every taste and fancy, antique, traditional and ultra-modern, shiny, matt, penny plain or tuppence coloured. My own preference is always to the ultra-plain, and this one has very understated matt steel handles and no twiddly bits.

So this is what I've gone for, except it will have legs, not a skirt:


The dogs and the cats will love it, regardless. The more kilowatts the better, they say; they think the hobs of Hell sound just about right.

I can see it now. Winter evenings, glowing fire, slippered feet up, cup of tea and slice of cake to hand, good book, comatose animals melting into the hearthrug..... aaaaahhhhhh.....

22 comments:

jabblog said...

You won't regret it but don't forget to read the Booker Prize-winning tome that will come with it;-)It will be full of useful information!

Anonymous said...

It looks good, will you keep your kettle on the top so tea will be quickly made? The cake looks good too, have you anyone to share it with or shall you eat it all?

Noelle the dreamer said...

The cake looks delicious Rachael and the stove will be a delight during long cold winter nights (ask your little family!) I can see them already lounging in front of it!
Blessings,

the veg artist said...

This sounds wonderful - it will heat your whole house, as well as the occupants! Perhaps the furries will feel up to blogging once they've dried out? HINT!!! HINT!!!

Maggie Christie said...

Wonderful! We've got a total of three woodburners one of which pumps out so much heat we have to throw open the windows and doors even if it's snowing. As for that cake - tried to grab it through the computer screen. Failed. (Looks so delicious!)

Lucille said...

This has been very helpful thank you as I too find myself in the market for a woodburner.

Mise said...

Bravo! My stove was installed last summer, and it has become utterly dear to me. 5KW is perfect. May you have the cosiest of winters.

judy in ky said...

Mmmm, your baking looks delicious! I love the idea of a warm stove in winter, and the dogs and cats will love it, too. "No twiddly bits"... I love that! A lot of love in this comment, isn't there?

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Our woodburning stove is one of the best things in life. I love it to bits even in the summer when it just stands there looking distinguished. In winter I would marry it.

Alicia said...

I like my furry companions comatose and melting into a hearth as well. That bit reminded me of a previous post where you lit a fire to show Flossie (was it Flossie?) how to make comatose cats. I need to go look it up.. it was a good one!

Dan said...

This made me chuckle, I am definitely a hobs of hell girl!
Dan
-x-

Arthur Ransome said...

Ah this reminds me of my Irish Rayburn complete with a tortie on the platerack.

mountainear said...

You'll love it. Bask in its warm glory. I'm imagining that for a cottage 5 will be about right. 8? You'l be sitting in the Linnay (sp?)

Desiree said...

Thanks to your funny blog I feel like an expert on wood burning stoves. I want one too !!!!!

Anonymous said...

Not sure that I fancy melting animals. The rest sounds lovely, though.
Argh, Blogger is failing to recognise me again - Isabelle

Lins' lleisio said...

A wood burner for us is an absolute necessity... (old house, no central heating). They are fantastic. You will love it. It's much more interesting to watch than the television too.

flwrjane said...

Now I am even more jealous of your house than I was before.

And we all thought that wasn't possible.

xo Jane

Dartford Warbler said...

I`m so tempted by your woodburning stove. Too much heat gets lost up the chimney with our open fire.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

We used to have a wood stove and it was heavenly on cold days. My cats and dogs loved it too!

love those cupcakes said...

There's an old proverb. Fire and gunpowder do not sleep together. Just saying. Just in case.

annie hoff said...

You'll love your wood burner, they're the best thing. Ours is between 3 and 8 kilowatts, a Danish specification, and ample for our needs. The first time we lit it one cold and dark December night, we had to open all the windows and doors. We've learnt since it isn't necessary to bank it up so it blasts out a furnace heat into the room!

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Your new house just keeps getting better and better !

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