Hobbit Stove

Hobbit Stove by Salamander

The traditionally styled all-cast iron Salamander Hobbit is the original tiny multi-fuel stove created specially for small spaces and to fit inside standard fireplace openings. It has been a firm favourite with off-gridders since it was launched way back in 2009. Like many of today's stoves though the Hobbit has also recently undergone a major revision to its combustion system to ensure that it meets the tough environmental standards required by the 2022 Ecodesign regulations. In order to do this Salamander has introduced a controllable pre-heated a tertiary air system which delivers an extra level of combustion to the flue gases to significantly reduce any harmful emissions just before they leave the fire chamber – no mean feat for such a small firebox. This has also helped with improving the Hobbit's wood burning efficiency so that at 79.4% the new Hobbit just ever-so slightly misses out of an A+ energy rating while still delivering an impressive highly controllable 4.1kW heat output. This should be plenty enough for your average living room or typical off-grid space.

One of the things that we at The Stove Yard love about the Hobbit multi fuel stove is its thoroughly well-balanced traditional design and construction. During the Ecodseign updates Salamander could have very easily dispensed with the ash lip just below the door and the separate ash pan compartment door to save money but they've clearly recognised that a big part of this tiny stove's appeal is its proper old fashioned good looks. Now that it's more environmentally friendly too, why change a winning formula?

Importantly, the Salamander Hobbit stove really shouldn't be confused with inferior Chinese stoves you see on the net. The Hobbit is a very well-made and rigorously UK-tested piece of kit. You can therefore rely on its safe distances to combustible materials measurements – critical to your safety if you're installing a stove in 'temporary' structure like a shed, cabin or shepherd hut which are all largely built of highly combustible materials. With safe distances in mind Salamander have also produced and tested side and rear heat shields for the Hobbit, which can be purchased singly or in sets, to reduce safe distances to just 150mm at the side and a miserly 100mm at the rear. It's worth noting that you would need to maintain those kind of distances to help the radiated warm air circulate even if any stove was being installed next to totally non-combustible materials such as brickwork. Incidentally, the Hobbit stove can also be installed on a a 12mm non-combustible hearth.

The Hobbit is a highly controllable little stove with three separate combustion air controls for Primary (smokeless coal control and quick starts), Secondary (wood control and airwash) and Tertiary (emissions and efficiency) to deliver superior burning. These also manage flame pattern, heat output and fuel economy. There's also an external riddler for dust-free coal ash riddling with separate ash pan and compartment. All fittings including the practical clamp door handles are polished steel to nicely contrast with the standard black paint finish. These fittings can be upgraded to brass with an optional matching brass (or polished steel) gallery safety rail also added to further enhance the Hobbit's traditional styling.

Please note that, being a small stove, the Hobbit features a 100mm (4") diameter flue outlet to maximise the flue draught in single story buildings with typically shorter stacks. This means that if you are installing the Hobbit in a domestic dwelling you must follow Building Regulations Document J when lining the chimney which means that you'll have to incorporate an adaptor to increase the flue outlet size to 150mm (6"). Alternatively, for a little extra money, specify the Hobbit SE which, because it's a Defra smoke exempted model, will allow you fit the smaller 125mm (5") diameter flexible liner and still comply with regulations. 5" is actually much easier to work with anyway.

 

SALAMANDER HOBBIT OPTIONAL EXTRAS

There are a number of handy competitively priced and specially produced optional accessories for the Hobbit which will not only help increase its safe operation but also enhance its ease of use and installation These include...

  • For added presence a matching store stand (increases overall height by 156mm to 616mm)
  • Brass or polished steel gallery safety rail for the top of the stove to give that authentic ships galley look
  • Start cooking with the stainless steel hot plate – sadly this is not compatible with the gallery rail
  • Coal bars for improved multi fuel operation
  • Factory-fitted stainless steel 1kW boiler with 2 x 1" BSP ports (for safety this must be used with an appropriate tank)
  • Direct external air supply (DEAS) intake for safer operation and to reduce draughts (specify when ordering)
  • Various combinations of paint and contrast paint options including totally painted,  fire chamber door only, Ash pan compartment door only and bodywork only (no doors). Please ask for more details
  • Space-saving rear flue wedge. Please advise us if also specifying for use with rear heat shield
  • Side heat shields (specify right or left) and rear (specify if using rear flue wedge). Can be ordered as set, a pair or as singles


Proving that small really is beautiful, the Salamander Hobbit stove is also beautifully practical. It's no wonder  that it has many devoted fans who have managed to create some amazing spaces with the little Hobbit stove centre stage – shepherd huts, tree houses, caravans, garden offices, canal boats and even yurts. It's no surprise then that the Hobbit is often spotted on programmes like 'George Clarke's Amazing Spaces'.

Key Facts
Output – Nominal                          4.1kW 
Output Range                       Not available
Efficiency                                Up to 79.4% / A (wood) and 81.4% / A+ (smokeless coal)
Defra Approved                     No (check-out the Defra Approved Hobbit SE model) 
Fuel                                       Wood and approved smokeless coal ovals
Fuel bed   Multi fuel grate with external riddling, ash pan and as pan compartment 
Airwash                                   Yes
Air Controls                               Three separate controls for Primary, Secondary and Tertiary 
Construction                              Premium grade all cast iron body and doors
Flue Outlet                               Top and rear
Flue Diameter                     100mm / 4"
Finish  Traditional Black paintwork (see paint options above)
Recommended Log Length                200mm / 8" approx      
Net Weight                                    50kg approx
Air Vent Required                 No air vent required for pre-2008 houses
Suitable for 12mm hearth         Yes – subject to Building Regs 
Direct Air Inlet (DEAS)   Yes, 80mm (3.2") diameter
Overall Dimensions mm     H460  W302  D355
Distance to Combustibles (mm)  Side 400  Rear 450
With Hobbit heat shields:  Side 150  Rear 100
Options  See above for full list
Guarantee                                 5 Years when registered with Salamander

 

Video


 

Downloads

Hobbit Dimensions

Energy Label

UKCA Performance Declaration

Hobbit Eco Distances

Standard Hobbit Instruction Manual

CE Declaration of Performance

Hobbit Eco Controls

CE/UKCA Plate

 

 

 

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