Hearth to heart (From Living Northeast)

Hearth to heart

12:54pm Monday 19th April 2010 in

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Summer is a good time to buy your stove, as Ruth Addicott finds out.

WITH summer on the horizon and a chance to get out the deckchairs, the last thing on most people’s minds is central heating. According to Claire Greenock, co-owner with Chris Pern of Country Cookers & Stoves, however, summer is the prime time to get a cooker fitted.

Claire’s advice for anyone thinking of buying a stove or cooker this year is not to leave it until winter, when the waiting list is longer, but to get it fitted during the summer.

The company has branched out since its launch in 2007 and while it continues to sell a lot of reconditioned Agas, there is more of a focus on stoves and other home accessories. “We’re probably selling more stoves than Agas at the moment because people are worried about the price of oil,” says Claire.

One of the current best sellers is a multi-fuel stove which gives the option of burning logs or smokeless coal. Prices range from the Highlander 3 at £640 (a traditional wood burning and solid fuel stove), to the more expensive Highlander 10 at £1,710.

A great focal point in any room, the Highlander has a firebox lined with high temperature firebrick and the bricks have been pressure cast for longer life. It also features a super air-wash system, which helps to keep the glass clean so that you can view the dancing flames.

Highlander stoves are made locally by West Yorkshire- based business Dunsley Heat, which has more than 50 years experience of manufacturing fires and heating equipment.

Claire says the most common mistake people make when buying a stove is choosing one that is too big for the room. “We advise customers to go for an output that is suitable for the room, otherwise it can be too warm,”

says Claire. “They can always buy a canopy to go with it so it looks bigger. It’s more of a traditional look.”

Although new Agas aren’t selling quite as well as they were a few years ago, re-conditioned Agas dating back to 1953, are selling like hot cakes. “They are a fraction of the price of a new Aga, but they’re re-enamelled and look brand new,” says Claire.

Country Cookers&Stoves has also launched a range of home accessories by Gisela Graham, including heartshaped picture frames, plaques, napkin holders and wire baskets – as well as heart-shaped cushions and wooden furniture by local designers. “Anything heart-shaped is unbelievably popular,” says Claire. “The photo frames are flying out.”

Country Cookers & Stoves Ltd 1, Sowerby Road, Sowerby, Thirsk.

Call 01845-574614 or visit dovetails@btconnect.com