Broseley Evolution Desire/Ignite review

Be Modern whom own Broseley and Evolution have made a number of wood burning/ multi-fuel stoves over the years, but this is the only one left. It's British made, has a steel body and the Desire has a steel door, where as the ignite is cast iron, but that is the only difference. They also make a log store version too, which raises it up and makes it a little more modern.

Lighting the stove: 7/10

The stove has a grate and an ash pan, so if you open the lower air vent then it lights up very quickly and easily.

Cleanness: 5/10

It's also clean burning. You can defeat its cleanness with fuel that isn't quite dry, or if you close it down a bit too much, but those choices rest with you to be fair. It also complies with both Eco-Design and DEFRA.

Controls & Controllability: 5/10

The stove is made in Britain and you can feel that slightly rough and ready approach. There are a few rough edges and the air controls can stick a little and be a bit tough to adjust, but they are effective. The stove comes with gloves and a tool, which can be used for removing the ash pan, closing the door and adjusting he air vents. I think you need both, because things can get a bit tough when they're hot, but they do all work together well.

Fuel economy & Burn time: 6/10

This stove is a wide design which does normally reduce economy, but this stove bucks that trend slightly as it matches or out performs a lot of other stoves with more cube shaped designs. Its control is very helpful too, but it is still held back by the presence of the grate and ash pan. It's great for flexibility, but does compromise the stove in other areas.

Who's it for:

If you're planning to burn whatever you have to hand, value controllability and a tough British build, then it will suit you perfectly. The stove isn't perfectly finished and that will annoy some, but if you're happy to be a bit more rough and ready and you want to use the stove for evenings and weekends as a back up and focal point then stick it on your list to see when you visit some local showrooms.