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.
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...
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'.
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 |
Standard Hobbit Instruction Manual