It’s no surprise that inset stoves are becoming increasingly popular. Rather than have to open up a fireplace to install a traditional stove, an inset stove (or a cassette stove, as they are sometimes known) will simply slot into a standard fireplace opening.
Once it’s in place, an inset stove has huge advantages over an open fire. First and foremost among those advantages is the fact that an open fire loses around 70% of the heat it generates straight up the chimney.
With an inset stove, that figure drops to below 30%.
Another major selling point is that many inset stoves do not require a flue pipe as long as they are fitted into a lined chimney that is in a good state of repair.
So, without further ado, here a five recommended inset stoves that are popular choices among our customers.
Dimplex Westcott Inset Multi Fuel Wood Burning Stove
The Dimplex Westcott is a reasonably priced, stylish inset stove. It juts slightly out of a standard fireplace opening in a modern, curved profile.
It’s a multi-fuel inset stove, which means you can burn wood and smokeless fuels. An airwash system ensures the glass is kept clear of soot and dirt, while its clever double-skinned construction allows heat to circulate around the room through natural convection.
Mazona Crete 5 kW Inset Multi Fuel Wood Burning
The Mazona Crete has a 5kW heat output, which makes it a great option for smaller to average-sized living rooms. It also comes with a very appealing price tag (just £350 at the time of writing).
The stove body is made from steel and boasts a sleek modern design.
Arizona Denver 609 Black Enamel Multi Fuel 5.5 kW Inset Stove
Perhaps its the boxy profile that helps the Arizona Denver to retain more of the character of a traditional wood-burning stove than some inset stoves. The fact that it simply slots into your fireplace is almost incidental: this still looks like what most people picture when they think of a wood-burning stove.
A convection heat recovery system and an airwash system ensures that more of your fuel is put to good use heating your home. The airwash system will also keep your glass clear.
This 5.5kW draws air in from the room using the vents at the bottom of the stove. The air is heated, rises and is released through the vents above the door.
Aarrow Inset Ecoburn 5 Plus Multi-Fuel Wood Burning Stove
The contemporary but understated appearance of the Aarrow Ecoburn stove has won many fans, and the inset version is no exception. As with all the stoves on this list, it simply nestles into a standard fireplace opening.
An airwash system keeps the glass clear and improves heat circulation, while the tertiary burn ensures he highest levels of efficiency.
Stratford 9HE-INSET Eco Boiler Multi-fuel Boiler Stove
A slight departure from the other stoves on this list, the Stratford 9HE is an inset boiler stove. In other words, while it offers the same benefits as the other stoves featured here, it can also be plumbed into your heating system to provide hot water and heat your radiators.
Made by Arada – the same company that produces Aarrow stoves – the 9HE shares some of the aesthetic qualities of the Ecoburn. A large curved glass window – with an airwash system to keep it clean – adds to the appearance.
The stove boasts a discrete thermostatic control and an easily accessible water sensor.
Browse more inset stoves.