Esse versus Rayburn

[mrssmith]

Hi there

We currently have an old 1950's solid fuel Rayburn and will be looking to update it to a new solid fuel equivalent for which we can cook, heat water and run central heating. Could anyone give their experiences of living with a new Esse or Rayburn which does all of these things? Does Esse manufacture a stove which cooks and heats on solid fuel? I have just been to their website and it doesn't mention heating on their solid fuel model.

Our chimney sweep said the new Rayburns don't have the quality of the very old ones. Also one of the big questions for us is how often to you have to top up with logs on the newer versions? Our old 1950's number would not keep the fire in overnight if it were run simply on logs.

As it's such a big decision/amount of money to spend we are keen to get this right.

Any thoughts good or bad please bring them on!

 

[Tom]

I have had no dealings with solid fuel Rayburns but your sweep's comments regarding the build quality would echo those regarding oil and gas Rayburns, so I imagine the quality has gone down across the board. For that reason, I bought a second hand Rayburn Nouvelle (gas) and am very pleased with it. There are always many solid fuel ones on a certain auction site ( :roll: ) which might be worth a look at. Hope this helps.

Jaqy

 

[Penners]

I can't comment on any solid fuel ranges, but we have an oil-fired Esse. I have no experience of older models, but I can only say that we are very pleased with this Esse (which is 4 years old). It does the central heating, hot water and cooking, and does all three very effectively. And its build-quality seems excellent.

 

[Flyfisher]

I don't know how old our Rayburn is, but it's not what anyone would call new, however kind they were being. It was originally solid fuel and would stay alight overnight, but only with coal.

It has since been converted for oil but I'm not impressed with its efficiency and will be replacing it in due course, although I'm not yet sure with what. I presume it could be easily converted back to solid fuel.

 

[bower1]

I'm afraid I cannot comment on new solid fuel rayburns, but I have a 8 year old oil model (368K) and it seems OK.

I also have a 1950s solid fuel rayburn which will not stay alight overnight on wood, only coal.

Bear in mind if considering a second hand solid fuel model that many of the people who re-enamel them will not do solid fuel models as they warp under the heat.

 

[mrssmith]

Thanks everyone, still a lot of food for thought I think. I went to our local shop which supplies Esse's and they said the solid fuel can only heat two radiators and a small boiler so I think that option is out, looks like it's only Rayburn which provide the option. Anyhow, will do lots more homework, thanks for posting, it has been of help!