£649.00 (including VAT)
During the winter of 2018/19 Stovefitter's went in search of a modern, large screen, Ecodesign stove that we could retail between £599 and £799. We tested numerous models and it was the Firewire range that you now see that came out on top. The Firewire is a wood-only stove with a large viewing window and simple yet effective single control.
After extensive research (including the very informative Stovefitter's website) we purchased the Firewire 500. This was to replace an old small multifuel stove that was pre-existing in the property when we moved in. The new stove was delivered promptly on chosen day and well packaged. We had it installed by a local company who commented on the good quality of the stove. Very easy to light and operate, excellent heat output and beautiful large viewing window that stays so clean. Very pleased with the service and product - would highly recommend.
The firs itself is excellent. We did have an issues with delivery we paid for delivery on a specific day however the courier making the delivery was useless and on the anticipated day of delivery rang to say we wouldn’t be getting out fire. Stovefitter’s did everything they could to try and fix this and did eventually get delivery resolved quickly and also returned the amount we had paid for the specific delivery day. Stovefitters were really good courier service extremely poor, please change who you use!
Please note that the small retainer that prevents ash falling from the stove no longer has the slots shown in our images. The small bar was re-designed to prevent fine ash seeping through the slots.
This stove can burn wood in a Smoke Control Area (most towns and cities are Smoke Control Areas).
This stove can burn wood in a Smoke Control Area (most towns and cities are Smoke Control Areas)
This stove is certified as Ecodesign compliant (has passed the new and stringent 2022 regulations).
This stove is certified as Ecodesign compliant (has passed the new and stringent 2022 regulations)
Ecodesign & myths about pollution
Material: Steel with a cast-iron door
Output: 5kW
Material: Steel with a cast-iron door
Output: 5kW
(max approx: 8kW)
Three different sizes available. Please see full dimensions below.
Three different sizes available. Please see full dimensions in "DESCRIPTION"
One of our Top 10 Eco Design Stoves
Three different sizes
Our favourite stove at this price point
Single control
One of our Top 10 Eco Design Stoves
Three different sizes
Our favourite stove at this price point
Single control (major benefit)
There are a few stoves on the market worth buying at this price point and the Firewire is certainly fighting it out at the top of the list. An excellent stove.
The others worth looking at under £700? Flavel Arundel, Hamlet 5 SC, Peanut 5, Saltfire ST-X5.
There are a few stoves on the market worth buying at this price point and the "Firewire" is certainly fighting it out at the top of the list. An excellent stove.
The others worth looking at under £700? Flavel Arundel, Hamlet 5, Peanut 5, Saltfire ST-X5
Baffle (inside top of stove) is removable via two bolts for sweeping chimney.
You might wish to add a sweep door to the first flue pipe above the stove as this will provide a sweep with faster/easier access.
"I thought i would write a small review of this stove as it has surpassed my expectations.
We have quite a few stoves from various manufacturers in use and have far more expensive units which do not work any better than than this.
Great viewing window which has stayed spotlessly clean,large log size can be used and the heat out even the small model is superb."
Martin (see reviews)
Testing of the Firewire 400. We test all of our stoves for a minimum 40 hours before adding to the website.
During the winter of 2018/19 Stovefitter's went in search of a modern, large screen, Ecodesign stove that we could retail between £599 and £799. We tested numerous models and it was the range that you now see that came out on top. The "Firewire" is a wood-only stove with a large viewing window and simple yet effective single control.
When we tested the stove we were particularly impressed by how clear and clean the glass remained - like new after five full working-days of heating our office in North Wales. A cleaner glass during testing we have yet to find even amongst £1000+ models.
Firewire - a range of high-quality products at a very reasonable price point.
Following our five weeks of testing (five days a week, eight hours per day) we are confident in our verdict: there is no finer stove at this price point on the market today. Arran (Stovefitter's Sales Manager) has just installed the Firewire in his new house in North Wales (he has been without fire for a while so is super excited). Due to this Arran is your man for a detailed analysis!
Note that these stoves require 40cm of hearth in front of the stove (big glass and high heat output).
The Firewire is also available with a more contemporary curved door (door is curved, glass is flat) and this model is appropriately named the Firewire Curve.
Aside from the curved door this stove is the same as the standard Firewire.
Firewire Curve
Single air control
Wood-only (can only burn wood)
Nominal 5kW. Max. 7.5kW
This stove will run happily at 2kW - 7.5kW depending on fuel load. Note that running the stove at a higher fuel level than that specified in the manufacturer's manual may cause degradation of stove innards (firebricks, baffle etc.) although these are replaceable (and repairable with beige fire cement).
This stove meets and exceeds the new 2022 Ecodesign regulations
This stove is approved by DEFRA to burn wood in a Smoke Control Area
85% (as a rough guide 85% of heat goes to the room with 18% going up the chimney).
Don't overthink efficiency. 75%-85% is fine and90%+ efficiency may not work so well on shorter or difficult chimneys.
No, this stove cannot be fitted with an external air kit (draws air from outside via pipe direct to stove). Usually this option is not relevant unless a room air-vent is required and the property is airtight (by design or choice).
Steel stove (5-year body guarantee) with cast-iron door
What to buy steel or cast-iron? Do not overthink. Steel heats fast. Cast-iron takes a little longer but retains heat longer as fire dies.
Hearth thickness: minimum 12mm non-combustible material (can include floor thickness).
Note that, due to large glass and high forward-heat output, this stove requires 40cm of decorative hearth in front of the stove door).
Please see image higher on this page.
Flue outlet: 5" (125mm)
Which fitting pack for my liner? A fitting pack includes all you need except liner and chimney closure plate (also sometimes known as register plate)? Advice here
Viewing area (from outside stove looking in) width x height
400: 30cm x 34cm
450: 34cm x 30cm
500: 38cm x 38cm
5" (125mm) collar top or rear (can be installed with a 5" or 6" chimney liner)
Top or rear connection
400 Model Distance to combustibles SIDE: 400mm
400 Model Distance to combustibles REAR: 250mm
450 Model Distance to combustibles SIDE: 400mm
450 Model Distance to combustibles REAR: 300mm
500 Model Distance to combustibles SIDE: 400mm
500 Model Distance to combustibles REAR: 250mm
To non-combustibles there are no hard rules but, around the stove, a 50mm minimum air gap is recommended to brick/stone. This to be increased to 100mm for rendered or boarded surfaces. Prior to purchasing any stove download the installation manual to check that manufacturers do not have any additional requirements.
Max Log Length: Approx. 300-400mm depending on model
We offer 14 days from delivery to report any courier damage to your stove. If a stove is damaged by the courier we will replace or refund as desired.
Operating and installation instructions: please contact us
The manufacturer offers a 5 year body guarantee
Why do we sell glass insurance (pre-ticked box close to ADD TO CART button)? Because glass is classed, in the stoves industry, as a consumable item and not covered under ANY guarantee by any manufacture for any reason whatsoever. If it breaks or cracks on day one or day twenty it is not covered. If the inside of the glass goes cloudy or gets any kind of surface coating or etching then it is not covered (it will be to do with what you are burning according to manufacturers and glass makers). Glass usually costs £30-£60 plus postage but can be more on higher end models.
Defra-approved or/and Ecodesign stoves are designed and thoroughly tested before being allowed onto the market and every stove sold is identical. In the rare event a stove does not perform as well as expected it is always down to the installation, the chimney or circumstances unique to the property (pressure imbalances caused by local conditions, down drafts etc.). Here at Stovefitter's we have taken stoves back on a number of occasions for testing on our chimney and in every situation the stoves performed as expected (we may of course find a faulty stove one day but never as yet). We may, at our discretion, take a stove back once it has been used and in this situation a 50% refund would be provided (stove would be sold as second hand). We would, however, offer a 33% refund on a replacement stove.
Already have a chimney? You need 1. Stove 2. Liner 3. Fitting Pack 4. Chimney closure plate (Hardiebacker board from Builder's merchants or galvanised sheet).That's it!
No chimney? Check out our shed kits or let us design your clip-together chimney design - easy peasy.
Stovefitter's Warehouse is owned and managed by Julian Patrick, blogger and author of The Stove Fitter's Manual. Julian was previously a full-time installer of wood-burning stoves (including solid fuel heating systems). He laid down the tools in 2013 to write his stove manual and open a small shop in North Wales (the Wood Stove Hut, soon to grow into The Stovefitter's Warehouse).
