Thinking inside the box: the modern woodburner

Kiwis have had a love affair with wood-burning fireplaces pretty much from the get-go. There’s just something about the hypnotic dance of an open flame and the reassuring crackle and pop of burning logs that speaks to our psyche.

Historically though, they haven’t done much for our air quality—both indoors and out—nor have they been particularly aesthetically pleasing, presenting as a gaping hole in the wall. The energy crisis of the 1970s was the impetus for more efficient fireplace design and the open fireplace began to be widely replaced by the free-standing or wall-mounted wood-burners we are familiar with today.

New to New Zealand and distributed exclusively by The Fireplace, Stûv has a reputation as one of the most exciting fireplace brands worldwide, says Angela Hiddleston, Technical Support Manager for The Fireplace.

“Stûv’s story is a 30-year history of a passion for fire. They are known for crafting high-end fireplaces that incorporate leading technology and aesthetics. This is manifested by the use of high-quality materials, attention to detail and care for the purity of shapes—designed to become a central and eminently invaluable element of your interior—all without compromising performance and efficiency.”

In collaboration with Stûv, The Fireplace team has selected a range of three models to introduce to the New Zealand market.

• Stûv 30 Compact ‘One’
  
• Stûv 30
  
• Stûv 21
  

“We are currently building brand presence of the Stûv range in New Zealand and have chosen these three models as they are perfect for our homes as well as emerging architectural demands,” says Angela.

“The ‘baby’ of the group is the Stûv 30 Compact ‘One’. It may be the smallest but it is by no means lacking in performance, boasting low emissions of just 0.3g/kg. It is is Clean Air-approved, making it the ideal choice for just about any application in New Zealand. Also, it has a sealed outside air kit, which means it can be installed in passive-designed houses.

“The next model is the Stûv 30. Like it’s smaller stablemate, it is a freestanding fireplace that has been designed to be positioned anywhere in the room. The Stûv 30 features a rotating cylindrical drum with three independent doors that allow for three different burning modes, a truly innovative feature.

“Lastly, we have Stûv 21—an in-built range celebrated for its discrete design that places the focus on the purity and beauty of the fire. Stûv 21 features a retractable glass door that allows it to be fully closed, partially closed or fully open for refueling.”

“Both the Stûv 21 and the Stûv 30 have been clearance tested and can be installed into homes situated on properties of at least 2ha,” says Angela.

The Fireplace is currently carrying out independent testing of other models in the Stûv range and is planning to introduce more innovation to the New Zealand market over the next 18 months.

“Stûv’s mission is to design, produce and market individual heating solutions that elevate the functional, aesthetic and even emotional qualities of the fireplace. To do this, Stûv constantly sets itself a strict line based on creativity, design, the quality of the products developed and their ability to meet consumer expectations, whilst giving significant importance to human values.

“It is for these reasons that The Fireplace is proud to represent this unique range of fireplaces and to offer the New Zealand consumer the opportunity to purchase a Stûv,” says Angela.

Learn more about Stûv fireplaces in New Zealand.