Cast iron or steel

[richardwale]

Pal of mine wants 2 stoves installed. His wife rang her sweep who informed her he was now an installer of stoves, Hetas registered etc etc. The first thing he said to her when she mentioned the stoves was " only buy cast iron, the steel ones are rubbish"

Surely that's utter bull****!

I told him mine ( a Burley ) was steel and a great stove....

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

I think traditionally cast iron is the superior material in this context; the wavelegth of heat energy from it is better too. I think the top stoves now use a mix of both; there are some cheapy mild steel ones out there to be avoided.

 

Overall stove quality would be the deal maker over exact construction material perhaps.

[richardwale]

Alycidon?

[cornish wood burner]

Grate in my Rayburn is 60 years old as are all the other cast iron bits. Still fine. I would be very surprised if any of the special steels that possibly are used in the better stoves would last that long.

[richardwale]

But isn't high grade steel stronger than cast iron? Obviously the cheaper Chinese made stoves are to be ignored.

[TGB]

Steel is faster to manufacture in bulk and on the whole cheaper to buy finished stove. A number of the more efficient / cleaner burning stoves are only available in steel, (depending on stove make). But steel can warp, seals can become defective.

 

Good quality cast stoves are more expensive to manufacture. Tend to have a 'traditional' appearance but can, (depending on maker & model) be very efficient burners. Cast stoves don't warp and the likes of Morso, etc., the spare parts can be obtained 40 odd years down the line.

 

Unless you have access to free fuel, buy the most efficient stove you can afford. Because the stove and installation might cost a grand or more; but over the stove's operational lifetime, the fuel will cost a great deal more. So the more particulate matter & gases which are finally burnt and converted into useable heat, the cheaper the stove will be to run and the better for the environment it will be.

 

Don't burn well coal - producing steam is a waste of money. And won't do a steel stove any favours. Unless you're on the 4:10 from Paddington Heritage Trip.

 

Do season wood - is easier to ignite, easier to keep lit and cheaper to use. Plus it's not slimy to handle.

Edited October 31, 2015 by TGB

[treequip]

The reason Cast was used is because, back in the day it was easy to do and was particularly suited to mass production

[njmusk]

Godin make some really nice cast iron stoves, had one years ago, spares readily available.

 

Mate always preferred stovax. Steel I presume.

[Stubby]

Steel for me . Very thick . Does not warp . Burley Hollywell . Most efficient stove on the market when I bought , think it still is .

[mendiplogs]

Pal of mine wants 2 stoves installed. His wife rang her sweep who informed her he was now an installer of stoves, Hetas registered etc etc. The first thing he said to her when she mentioned the stoves was " only buy cast iron, the steel ones are rubbish"

Surely that's utter bull****!

I told him mine ( a Burley ) was steel and a great stove....

 

Hi mate if your happy with your stove then that's great what's it to do with STOVE FITTING WHAT YOU BUY thanks Jon