Hi,
we have jsut moved into our new house, and the living room has an electric stove fitted, like this:

http://www.fireplaces-stoves-heating.co.uk/product_p/warmland-intrinsica-stove.htm

We would rather have a proper stove, and a bit of investigation has revealed that the chimney already appears to be lined, there is a stub of stainless flexible liner left below a metal plate in the chimney, 5″ diameter.

Now can I assume this means the chimney is suitably lined? or would it need ripping out and replacing? i guess it was originally fitted for a gas fire with back boiler judging by the remnants of pipework.

and any opinions on this stove? I appreciate they are tiny and cheap, but we would only use it on odd occasions. and space limits us to very few options as it needs to be inside the chimney breast as the room isn’t very wide.

http://www.fireplaces-stoves-heating.co.uk/product_p/ma02.htm

thoughts and advice welcome! not had a stove fitted before but have had plenty in rental houses.. 😀

It might be worth getting a chimney sweep out. He can have a look and test the chimney for you.

If it’s all good it should be a straight forward DIY job to fit.

Info on the Building Regs here

chances are if it is from a gas fire it almost certainly will need relining. get an heating specialist in to take a look. besides that, 5″ is the minimum diam the regs allow and some fitters won’t connect you to a 5″ flue. We’ve got a 5″ stove and decided to go up to 6″ as we might find our stove is too small and want to upgrade.

Can’t speak for the stove but my money is on the liner being for a gas stove. Put your hand up it and if it comes out black then it “might” be a solid fuel liner.

Hi, I am almost certain that the liner would have been installed for a gas stove, is this not compatible with a woodburning stove?

No. Make friends with your local sweep and let him fit the stove as well, he will set up a port for sweeping.

That little stove you linked to is ridiculously effective for such a small thing. I’ve fitted several of them now and people are always chuffed with them. They can be a bit noisy sometimes though. The thinner body tends to click and tick a bit compared to a bigger stove. Only had one (slightly bonkers) customer who found it a problem. Most people like the gentle soundtrack from a stove when sitting near it, I certainly do. 🙂

The existing liner – cut a small piece off and chew it. If it tastes like aluminium then don’t use it, if it tastes of stainless steel then it may be ok.

Would you not know the difference between alu and steel simply by cutting thru them? You know, to save the actual eating of metal 😀

Mmmm tricky….

Taste test is best – just to be sure