Manufacture Focus: Cast Tec

Cast Tec has its origins back in 1983 when Managing Director Geoff Moore became a sole trader buying and restoring original cast-iron fireplaces using the family ‘dip & strip’ business premises in North Shields as a base.
Demand for cast-iron fireplaces was very limited in the early 1980’s but with a housing boom looming in the South-East weekly commuting took place to Camden Market in north London to sell fireplaces from an indoor market stall on a weekend.
1984 heralded a small shop unit in Camden Lock called the Victorian Fireplace Co. where original fireplaces purchased in the north-east were sold for 15 years.

1987 saw the restoration and manufacturing side of the business moving to a factory workshop in Washington, Tyne & Wear.
Brian Hart, now Cast Tec’s Operations Director, joined from the company at this time to take on the responsibility for running the workshop.
1990 saw the housing boom turn sour and the recession of the early 1990’s affected trading conditions in the London shop. The response was to open a retail showroom in the Washington premises in the north. Called Grate Expectations, the showroom opened in 1989 and traded for 15 years.
1998 saw the humble beginnings of Cast Tec when it was decided that the Distribution of Reproduction cast-iron fireplaces to the trade would be the way forward. It was the only way supply could meet demand in the future and an approach was made by Britannia Castings which resulted in the exclusive rights for Cast Tec to distribute what became the Portman Collection range of cast-iron products in the UK.
1999 heralded the end of an era with the closure of The Victorian Fireplace Co. shop in Camden Lock due to the increasing difficulty of obtaining original fireplaces with demand outstripping supply.
That year Tony Byrne, who ran the London shop from 1995-99, became the first sales/delivery driver for Cast Tec progressing on to become Sales Director. 
2002 saw Cast Tec become a Limited Company and the following year they gained the exclusive rights to import and distribute the Agnews range of quality cast-iron fireplaces throughout the UK mainland.
2005 saw the established Firemaster name and range of products being brought into the Cast Tec stable on behalf of the Ouzledale Foundry Co. Ltd.
2006 heralded an exciting move for the 20 staff of Cast Tec Ltd. to a new 30,000 sq ft. factory premises inside the Port Of Tyne in South Shields where they have access to the Port’s outstanding facilities.

Do I Need A Flue Liner?

If you have a standard masonry chimney and wish to install a woodburning or multifuel stove, it is highly advisable to fit a stainless steel flexible flue liner with the stove.

Corinium Flue Systems recommends fitting a flue liner for the following reasons;

• Masonry chimneys, particularly in older properties, are likely to have cracks. Without a liner, any fumes from the stove and creosote formed will leak through cracks in the masonry, possibly exiting in other rooms in your house or in your neighbours'.

• Creosote is a tar like substance that is formed when fumes emitted from the stove cool down as they rise. When these gaseous fumes cool down, any substances contained within the fumes condense and are deposited on the inside of the flue or chimney. A flue liner has a smooth inner skin with less surface area for creosote to be deposited onto, whereas in a masonry chimney it is likely to build up in cracks or crevices. Creosote is highly flammable and is often the cause of chimney fires.

• A flue liner is much narrower than a chimney and is the same diameter from top to bottom. This continuous, consistent pathway will allow the flue gases to exit the chimney much quicker, with less chance of deposits. A flue liner's narrow, consistent diameter also means that it will warm up much quicker than a chimney. This results in an improved draw, making it easier to get a fire burning without lots of smoke back into the stove. A flue liner will retain the heat longer than a chimney after the fire has died out, which means it will be easier to start a new fire the morning after the night before.

• A flue liner is generally more straightforward to sweep. Creosote deposits formed will be harder to remove from a large chimney, especially build ups in cracks or crevices.

A question frequently asked is whether the flue should be insulated - this is done by backfilling the chimney around the flue liner. This is not necessary, but can be beneficial if you have a particularly cold chimney i.e. external, very exposed and very large. Normally the warming of the air in the chimney surrounding the liner during burning is sufficient for insulation.

They are also frequently asked whether a flue liner is necessary to comply with building regulations. It does not state in the building regulations that a flue liner has to be fitted with a stove. However, you must be sure that the chimney is in good working condition and has been sufficiently maintained. The majority of installers and retailers will recommend fitting a flue liner; particularly in older properties, as it is safer and more efficient.

We do not advise asking your installer not to fit a flue liner purely on the basis of cost. Once you have made the one off investment, your stove and flue liner, if properly maintained, will last for years. Most stove and flue manufacturers offer a warranty on their products - for example, Corinium offer a ten year warranty on our flue liner, subject to conditions of use.

Wood Burners Could Be The Answer To Heating Your Home This Winter

The ever-rising cost of gas, oil and electricity has fired the imagination of householders trying to save on their heating bills. It’s not only good news for environment, it’s also providing a growing business for people involved in forestry and those selling wood and log-burning stoves.

The experience of George Newburn, who runs Lytham Logs on the Fylde, is typical. He supplies high quality natural hardwood and softwood from sustainable plantations in Cumbria.

‘It’s amazing how many people are contacting me because they’ve had a wood-burning stove installed that day,’ he says. ‘I ran out of wood in the middle of January last year so I’ve now got 300 cubic metres of logs in stock.’

That’s a lot when you consider a normal sized rubbish skip hold just five cubic metres. ‘Wood is carbon neutral and people are starting to accept the environmental arguments,’ he adds. ‘People are using more wood and less coal, which has to be shipped from places like Poland.’

George does have some words of caution, however. ‘If we keep burning hardwood at the current rate we will run out one day. Softwood is cheaper and quicker to grown. In fact, it grows twice as quickly but it doesn’t burn twice as fast.

‘People with open fires don’t like it because it has a higher resin content and that causes it to spit. But it’s fine for wood-burners and we need to start educating people about the difference.’

John Stanley launched Vesta Stoves in Scarisbrick five years ago. ‘We are probably one of the only companies in the country that actually makes wood-burners rather than importing them,’ he says.

‘Wood-burners are increasing in popularity all the time and they do have lots of advantages. With gas prices going up and up, they are seen as a real investment and they are much more efficient and controllable than an open fire where about 80 per cent of the heat goes up the chimney.

‘If you burn £200 a year on an open fire, that would come down to about £50 a year with a wood-burner. The payback is almost instant.

‘Wood-burners with boilers are becoming massively more popular now as well. They are a big investment – you need a different kind of water tank for one thing – and the payback time is nearer ten years but they can reduce fuel bills dramatically.’

Nick Astley, who runs Fuelmizas, retailing a wide range of wood-burners in Ribchester, believes the economic argument is the main driver. ‘The powers that be would like to think people are buying wood-burners because they are carbon neutral and envionmentally-friendly but it’s really the price of fuel that’s causing the change.

‘Some are put off because they have concerns about living in restricted areas but you can now get Defra-approved wood-burners for smoke-free zones.

‘Others have visions of having to go out to collect wood, chop it with an axe, stack it and season the logs. But life’s too short. Like most people, we simply have the wood delivered.’ Cue George.

An impressive range of wood and multifuel stoves are available from Stove Megastore, as well as a heat powered stove fan that can help distribute heat around the room, further reducing the amount of fuel needed.

How Not To Install A Wood Burning Stove

Just a quick video to show the difference it can make using experienced, recommended fitters to install your wood burning stove.

The client had seen the work we had carried out in their next door neighbours house and wanted the same in theirs. They had their builder carry out the work to the fireplace and were going to give us a call regarding installation of the stove. They had other workmen in the house at the time who said they could arrange for the stove to be fitted as they had a friend who fitted them. The client assumed that all fitters would install his appliance to the same standard but soon found this not to be the case.

We were called out to tidy up the installation as the client was not happy with how it had been left........we did this and it was a good job he called us in as the register plate had been made from flammable material and also the stainless flexi liner was installed upside down.....this doesn't sound like a big deal bit it will take your liners life expectancy from 20 years down to a possible 5 due to condensation getting between the two skins causing the liner to corrode prematurely.

In the end the client was delighted but unfortunately had to pay for the installation twice. He had no comeback on the installer as he was a friend of a friend and didn't want to cause upset.............the installer also wasn't HETAS Registered so there was no paperwork or notification given to building control. This would be mostly likely to render his home insurance invalid should he have had a fire caused by the stove.

Firebelly FB1 Wood Stove

The modern and contemporary wood burning stove is the Firebelly FB1 Wood Burning Stove from Firebelly. Designed and hand-built in the UK this modern take on the wood burning stove breaks from convention.

People who have owned previous generations of wood-burning stove will know the stereotypical look of a wood burning stove, small squat cast iron block sitting in the fireplace with a small viewing window offering limited if not poor visibility of the impressive wood fire inside.


The Firebelly FB1 is unlike traditional stoves with an impressively large viewing window and modern design featuring an unique airwash system that helps keep the large viewing window clean. The well propotioned stove available in a range of colours, Charcoal, Pewter, Matt Black and Metallic Black which provides maximum flexibility to fit in with most living spaces.

The heat reflective brick lining of the FB1 keeps the firebed at an optimum temperature and allowing the wood to burn more efficiently with a maximum heat rating of 6kW and efficiency of up to 78%. A solid fuel kit is also available for this fire, allowing the flexibility of burning coal or charcoal briquettes while convection channels either side of the fire allow more heat to be evenly distributed throughout the roon. Intuitive controls and a stay cool handle also mean this stove is simple and easy to operate.

The clean unbroken vertical lines of the legs add vertical definition to a stove which sterotypically is a squat little thing, while the large viewing window dominates the front of the stove, affording the maximum possible view of the fire inside. The clean and uncluttered design of the fire also breaks from traditional cast iron fires that may feature decorative details cast into the side of the fire, the convection channels either side of the fire box circulate warm air are discreetly hidden either side of the fire so as not to distract from the crisp lines and clean design of the stove, and with 18 different colours to choose from, you can truly make the FB1 match your home or make it a true focal point by using a colour such as Shimmering Rose (Right)
The Firebelly FB1 is also available with a logbox which raises the height of the stove by 300mm to create a convientient and safe storage location for logs. The design of the logbox is in keeping with the clean and efficient design of the fire and simply bolts onto the bottom of the stove.
The Firebelly FB1 and rest of the Firebelly range is now available from The Stove Megastore

Carbon Neutral Heating For Your Home

Wood burning is better in ecological terms as the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is the same as, or less than that absorbed by the tree during it's lifetime.
It is also a renewable resource, especially when derived from plantations and cultivated woodland. When using your wood burning stove, for optimum results, it is recommend that logs should be seasoned for 2 years or more to achieve a moisture content below 20%. This will not only give up to twice the output of freshly cut timber but help avoid a build up of tar in your stove's flue.

Additionally, if it is possible for you to obtain hardwood logs this is better still, as they will have around twice the calorific value of softwoods.

This photograph displays a fire through the glass of a modern, high-tech woodburning stove, one that is CE certified and HETAS accredited. Please observe that the flames are big, lush and semi-transparent, very different from the dark, opaque, ragged flames you would see in an open fireplace.
The small jets and feathery flames at the top of the image are flowing downward from the tiny combustion air holes at the top of the firebox.

Not only do these modern woodburning stoves burn much cleaner and more efficiently than older conventional stoves, but can also offer larger unobstructed views of the raging fire inside.
By upgrading to a CE certified and HETAS accredited wood burning stove, you can save wood, reduce smoke and enjoy the view all winter long.

Carbon Neutral Benefits
The Forestry Commission have recommended that millions of trees are planted to cover an extra 4% of the UK in woodland, equivalent to 30,000 football pitches a year, increasing the UK's total woodland cover to 16%.
According to the Solid Fuel Technology Institute, logs are the cheapest form of heating energy. The cost per kW of useful energy is now around 4p. This compares to 5p for anthracite, 7p for natural gas, 7.5p for oil, 9p for LPG and 12p for electricity.

Portway Stoves

The Portway range of stoves are some of the best on the market and as they are available in a range of sizes will be perfect for almost anyone looking for a stove.

The Portway Peldon is the gas stove of the range, smaller in size but the 4Kw heat output is more than adequate to heat the average sized living room. The unique, one-piece main body construction and 'clear view' window combine with the realistic coal and flame effect to really create the feel of a traditional cast iron stove with increased efficiency and flexibility, being suitable for almost any chimney or flue.

The quality of the Portway stoves is unmatched, all bodies made from tough 5mm steel, the most robust on the market with cast iron grates and doors. The bodies are then shot blasted to provide the texture and can be finished in either Charcoal or Black metalised siloxane paint. This finish is more durable and of a higher quality than that of traditional stove paint.
All the Portway stoves feature an pre-heated air-wash system that passes a stream of hot air down the inside of the glass preventing flames and products of combustion from ever touching the glass and keeping it clean. All the Portway freestanding stoves can be flued from either the top or the rear and connect to a standard 6" stove flue pipe and at 80% efficiciency, Portway stoves are amongst the most efficient on the market and give out more heat while burning less fuel. The multi-fuel stoves are capable of burning a large variety of natural or man-made fuels such as peat, straw, sawdust, briquettes as well as most mineral fuels.
The windows of the Portway multi-fuel stoves can be tailored to suit with a variety of window trim options. The Portway 1,2 and Inset models can be customised with Suburst, Square, Fleur and Gothika or left plain for the maximum view of your fire. These when combined with either standard, ruby red or arctic grey enamel door help draw attention to this stove and make it the centre of attention.
The first multi-fuel stove of the Portway range is the Portway 1. This stove is the smallest of the range featuring an ultra-slim body that retains the large viewing window while allowing the stove to be fitted into a larger variety of fireplaces. The Portway 1 has a maximum heat output of 5Kw.
The contemporary design of the 5mm steel can be customised with either an artic silver or ruby enamel finish to the door and a choice of three leg heights to further draw attention to this modern stove. The viewing window can also be decorated with a choice of trims, fleur, gothika, plain, square and sunburst which would again help this stove become the centrepiece of any living room.

The Portway 2 is the mid-range Portway multi-fuel stove which as the smaller stove is made of tough 5mm steel with a cast iron door available in either Arctic Grey or Ruby Red Enamel, which, again when coupled with a stylish window trim can really add to the contemporary styling of the stove. The simple operating controls with multi-function handle allow opening of the door and movement of the controls using patented magnetic technology. The three different leg lengths can allow the space underneath to store logs and to further add a more contemporary look to this multi-fuel stove.



The largest stove in the range is the Portway 3, a double door traditionally styled stove that features two large viewing windows that allow the best view of the fire inside. The ultra-slim, extra-wide design designed specifically designed without the need for a protruding hearth.

The extra-wide design allows logs up to 21" to be easily accomodated and the cast iron grate with easy-clean and easy to carry ashpan combine to ensure ease of use while getting the most out of the Portway 3.

The final stove in the range is the Portway inset multifuel stove, for those who like the look of the contemporarily designed Portway stoves but without the open fireplace to put one in. The Portway inset is perfectly designed to fit a standard 16"x22" opening while still maintaining a generous viewing area of the fire inside. The contemporary styling allows this stove to fit in with most modern living room decor and the high output of 4.5Kw provides enough plenty of heat for a normal living room. Like the Portway 1 and Portway 2 this stove can be customised with the enamel door and detailing on the large viewing window, these features make this product even more unique and set it apart in the field of inset stoves.

Firebelly Woodstoves

Having had a firebelly (FB1) wood burning stone installed, there are a few things that should be considered about a firebelly stove.

To begin with, firebelly have a tremendous array of colours, or finishes to select from, this is a fantastic bonus, yet choosing something neutral or timeless is recommended. Blacks and greys are always a safe bet, dark greens or dark reds at a push, but a gold wood burning or multi fuel stove is definitely not the way to go.

Firebelly stoves will create a statement and a focal point by themselves. When considering having one of these firebelly stoves installed into your existing fireplace think carefully about the positioning and colour of the flue pipe, colours can often look different in a darkened place, so if unsure, opt for a black flue. Unfortunately a stove can become a focal point when it juts out from a fireplace, this will show off a beautiful new wood burner, with custom finishes for all the wrong reasons, (it might look as if it has just been haphazardly plonked into the fireplace). Insure you are aware of the depth of the cavity, and find out if using the rear flue vent will affects the size of the depth.

If buying a FB1 stove, and more than likely all of their wood burning stoves, heat up to become very hot with prolonged use. This is not such an issue with stoves positioned in a fireplace, but surely must be a concern with the double sided stoves, which seem to be positioned in the middle of rooms, (in the firebelly woodstoves brochure). Although extremely stylish, finding a fire guard if you have children or pets for a double sided stove must be of great difficulty.

It is advisable to get the firebelly multi fuel kit if opting for one of these stoves. These multi fuel kits allow the burner to burn briquettes and coal apposed to just logs. This will alter the amount of heat and amount of flame that is achieved. Be warned, these alter in price, an FB1 Multi fuel kit is specifically for the FB1 stove, and subsequently cheaper than the FB2 Multi fuel kit as it is smaller in size, like the stove itself. This also applies to the log box option. This is not just a storage place for logs; it raises the stove, which may help if pets are in the household, or if someone in the household finds it difficult to bend to ground level. It is noticeable that no images of a firebelly stove with the log box is seen in the firebelly brochure, from this it can therefore be assumed that fireplaces big enough to house the dimensions of a stove with the log box is rare.

If in the market for a stove, then firebelly stoves are a superb choice, with all the features of more traditional looking stoves, but contemporary in design, and an abundance of finishing affects making the firebelly stove purchased really feel unique, not just a mass produced product. Once you have selected the type of stove, the FB being the smallest, to the FB3, with extremely large dimensions, (which ever suit your needs best), and having the selection with a log box, or multi fuel kit, and which finishing colour it comes in, it will feel like creating the perfect stove for individuals requirements. Having a plethora of options like this will surely set a trend for other stove making companies to follow.

Firebelly Stoves

Legend Tempest T1

Legend fires have expanded their products to now incorporate the Tempest T1 wood burning stove. This stove is a modern take on the traditional stove, with 4.8kW maximum heat output and an impressive 78% efficiency. The Tempest T1 is exclusively available from select vendors and not available to purchase online.

The Tempest is available in numerous finishes and has primary and secondary controls for optimum wood burning. Coming soon is the Tempest T2 with larger dimensions.

Esse Stoves

Esse stoves are some of the finest stoves available and they come with all different types of styles and different fuel options. Some of the best Esse stoves are the gas options which include the 200 and the 500 which both have a fantastic build quality and are very reliable.

The Esse 200 provides a maximum heat output of 4.7Kw which is more than enough to heat any room. With the 200 the user also gets the opportunity to purchase the Auto Remote Control System (ARCS), which is well worth the money. This system allows the user to programme when they want the stove to turn out throughout the day so that they don’t have to fiddle about with different temperatures. The ARCS also monitors the room temperature and will adjust the stove heat to suit the preferences of the user. If you didn’t want to pay for the remote control system then the temperature of the stove can easily be adjusted manually. The Esse 200 provides a traditional design that would look good in any room and the coal fuel effect has a fantastic flame effect with glowing coals to make it look as realistic as possible.

The Esse 500 stove is a traditional stove with a cast iron construction which is very well built. The 500 provides a maximum heat output of 3.5Kw which is perfectly capable of heating any room. Esse have provided the 500 with an award winning engine which means that you know that it is going to be a quality product that will provide a brilliant heat output. For the design of the stove Esse brought in leading designer Paul Galley to help them create a stove that would look good in any home.

Overall if looking for a well made reliable stove then Esse would be your best choice. The Gas stoves provided are all equipped with the latest safety features and with the 200 using the ARCS they are using all the latest technology to make sure that their stoves are the best available.

Esse produce some brilliant multi fuel stoves that range in different designs and different options with the fire. All of the stoves on offer are created with high quality materials and therefore very reliable.

Esse’s traditional stoves have all traditional design features but with modern technologies such as an Afterburn and a pre heated secondary airwash system. These features make these stoves some of the best around. Esse also offer a range of contemporary design such as the 125 and the 525 which are made with a solid steel body and stainless steel body. The contemporary designs are a lot different design wise but would still look good in the majority of homes because of the brilliant design and features.

The 500 and the 525 come with the added option of increasing the size of the legs for different reasons. The 525 with the extended legs can store wood underneath which saves on storage space, and the 500 provides a more compact size when the additional legs aren’t attached.

Esse’s 125SE and 100SE both are approved to burn wood in smoke controlled areas which make them an ideal wood burner for urban households. There are also wood burning kits on a number of the Esse multi fuel stoves. Esse offer the 700-27B which is a large boiler stove which provides a carbon neutral heating option by heating up the room and also attaching to a central heating system. The 700-27B also uses all the latest technology and has unique handless doors which use springs and a latch to open using a key at the side of the stove.

Overall Esse stoves provide a reliable well made stove throughout their range, one of the best being the 525 multi fuel stove which has been designed in a contemporary design with precision detail in every feature. The 525 also provides the option of longer legs so that wood can be stored underneath.

Esse Stoves

Winther Browne Cast iron Stove

Winther Browne has a beautiful cast iron stove available, this black cast iron stove is of solid cast iron construction and has been designed to bring rustic charm to any room.

As well as being a charming stove, with Traditional features, including brass handles and hinges, this stove by Winther Browne offers a superb maximum heat output of 5kW. Heat outputs can vary in this and other solid fuel stoves depending on the type of fuel being used.

Winther Browne have been conscientious in designing a stove that has both rear and top flue vents, with the vision of allowing the appeal the natural flame to be accessed in most homes. The flue vents are five inch in diameter thus being suitable to be used with class one chimneys and class one prefabricated flues.

The cast iron stove from Winther Browne is a solid fuel version of stove, this means it is capable of using wood, briquettes and many other types of solid fuel can be used in the combustion chamber.

Along with the cast iron stove Winther Browne have released the Thetford mantel shelf, this shelf is ideal as a solution for rooms that do not have a fire surround. When the Thetford mantel shelf is paired with a freestanding heater, fire or in the Winther Brownes brochures case a cast iron stove.

The cast iron stove is available at Stove Megastore

Broseley Carillion 16:9 Multi Fuel Stove

There was a time that a multi-fuel stove was a short, squat bock of cast iron sat in the hearth designed purely for radiating heat into the room and faded into the background when not serving its purpose. That all changes with the Carillion from Broseley, this widescreen stove is designed to be the centre of attention in your living room.
The unique central column rotates through 90° thanks to a revolutionary new air intake system. This allows the stove to be pointed at the part of the room you desire, affording uninterrupted panoramic views of the roaring multi-fuel fire while up to 78% efficiency ensures that the maximum possible heat is generated.
The striking lines or the frame and bold crystal black finish really give a futuristic feel and the steel column combine to give a very futurist and modern twist on a traditional multi-fuel stove. This is accentuated by the 16:9 widescreen viewing window really allows the flames to come to life in a way you will not find in any other multi-fuel stove.