Clock Blithfield 5: Timeless British Craft with Modern Efficiency

Warmth, style, and British craftsmanship — the Clock Blithfield 5 is more than a stove, it’s a lasting centrepiece. Discover why this 5kW multifuel burner wins hearts and homes.

Clean Heat Without Compromise

When it comes to marrying traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge efficiency, the Clock Blithfield 5 stands out as one of the most compelling 5kW woodburners available today. It is part of the wider Blithfield family of stoves, which also includes an 8kW model for larger spaces and a dramatic double-sided version for open-plan homes. This Spotlight takes a deep dive into the design, performance, features, and character of the Blithfield 5 — and why it continues to earn respect among stove enthusiasts and homeowners alike.

Efficiency and Emissions: More Than Just Box-Ticking

The Clock Blithfield 5 doesn’t just meet EcoDesign 2022 standards — it exceeds them by a wide margin. With a net efficiency of 84.3%, this stove turns more of your wood into usable heat and less into wasted smoke. More impressive still are its particulate emissions, which are among the very lowest of any multifuel stove on the market today.

For households in urban and suburban areas, the Blithfield 5 carries DEFRA exemption status. This means you can legally burn wood in UK smoke control zones, something not all stoves are authorised to do. For those who want the warmth and aesthetic of a real fire without falling foul of regulations, this point alone could make the Blithfield 5 a top contender.

Heat Output and Installation Practicalities

Rated at a nominal 5kW, the Clock Blithfield 5 is ideally suited for the majority of living rooms in the UK. At this output, it often falls below the threshold where additional room ventilation is legally required, although it’s always best to confirm with your installer based on your property’s airtightness.

For modern homes and energy-conscious buyers, Clock offer an optional external air manifold. This allows the stove to draw all of its combustion air directly from outside, keeping draughts to a minimum and improving efficiency in sealed homes.

Being a radiant stove, the Blithfield emits heat directly into the room rather than circulating it through convection panels. This means it has slightly larger clearance requirements to nearby combustible materials compared to a convection stove. However, an optional rear heat shield can be fitted to reduce those distances, offering greater flexibility in tight fireplace openings or free-standing installations.

If you’re interested in how modern woodburners stack up on emissions and efficiency, check out some of our recent posts:

These guides will give you a clearer picture of where the Clock Blithfield 5 — and other Ecodesign models — fit into the bigger story of clean, efficient heating.

Multifuel Flexibility

The Blithfield 5 is a true multifuel stove, designed with a raised grate and ashpan system that allows you to burn both wood and approved smokeless coals effectively. For many buyers, this flexibility is a huge advantage.

Wood remains the most popular choice, and the Clock Blithfield 5 is perfectly suited for clean, efficient log burning. But for those who live in rural areas or who want the option of an overnight slumber burn using coal, the raised grate design is practical and easy to maintain.

Lighting the stove follows a familiar process. You’ll typically start with two larger logs as a base, add kindling and a firelighter, and then ignite. In very cold weather, many recommend placing the firelighter on top to pre-warm the flue and encourage stronger draw. Once established, the stove is straightforward to control, offering responsive adjustments through its primary and secondary air systems.

 

 

Maintenance and User-Friendly Design

Like any stove, proper maintenance is key to long life and safe operation. The Clock Blithfield 5 has been thoughtfully designed to make this as simple as possible.

The 125mm (5″) top flue outlet is standard for this size of stove and connects easily to most UK chimney liners. If your installation doesn’t allow for a sweeping hatch in the first length of flue pipe, the Blithfield can also be swept directly through the firebox by removing the baffle plate.

Replacing firebricks and components is a job many stove owners like to learn for themselves, and Clock’s design makes this relatively straightforward. For visual learners, there are tutorials available that show exactly how to remove and refit the firebricks when the time comes.

Aesthetic Appeal: Subtle, Timeless, and Distinctly British

Visually, the Blithfield 5 walks a fine line between traditional and contemporary design. At first glance, the plain steel body might suggest a modern stove, but the subtle detailing of the cast-iron door gives it a classic touch.

The door features clean bevelling around the edges, a timeless proportion to the viewing window, and the now-iconic embossed horizontal bar across the front. These elements, repeated across the wider Clock range, have become a design signature.

The overhanging top plate mirrors the ash lip below, while the curved handle adds both visual and tactile quality. Many owners note that when the handle is in the closed position, it bears a resemblance to the hands of a clock — a subtle nod to the company’s name and heritage.

Another standout feature is its sheer weight and build quality. At 116kg, the Blithfield 5 feels reassuringly solid for its size. This weight comes from the use of high-grade steel and cast iron, materials that not only improve durability but also retain and radiate heat long after the fire has died down.

And yes, it’s proudly British-made in Nottingham, a detail that resonates with buyers who want to support domestic manufacturing and craftsmanship.

 

 

Variants and Options

The Blithfield family extends beyond the standard 5kW model. For those who need more heat, the Blithfield 8kW provides the same aesthetic in a larger format, perfect for open-plan living or larger rooms. For statement installations, the Blithfield Double-Sided stove delivers flames visible from two sides — a striking choice for dividing spaces or creating a centrepiece.

Even within the 5kW range, there are options. The logstore version lifts the firebox higher, adding useful storage for neatly stacked logs and providing a more commanding presence for freestanding installations. This version is particularly well suited to taller fireplace openings or modern open installations without a traditional hearth recess.

Why Choose the Blithfield 5?

Choosing a stove is about balancing practical performance with personal style. The Blithfield 5 scores highly on both counts. Its low emissions and DEFRA exemption make it a safe bet for urban homes, while its multifuel versatility offers flexibility for those in rural areas.

The design manages to be understated without being bland, timeless without being old-fashioned. It feels equally at home in a cottage inglenook as it does in a sleek modern living room. Add to this the reassurance of British manufacturing, quality materials, and ease of maintenance, and it’s clear why the Clock Blithfield 5 has become such a respected choice in its class.

 

 

Specifications at a Glance

  • Nominal output: 5kW
  • Efficiency: 84.3% net
  • Fuel type: Multifuel (wood + approved smokeless fuels)
  • DEFRA exempt: Yes, suitable for smoke control areas
  • Flue outlet: 125mm (5″), top connection
  • Weight: 116kg
  • Options: External air manifold, rear heat shield, logstore version
  • Family models: Blithfield 8kW, Blithfield Double-Sided

 

The Clock Blithfield 5 is more than just a mid-sized stove; it’s a statement of how far British stove design has come in blending tradition with innovation. If you’re in the market for a reliable 5kW stove that combines efficiency, longevity, and timeless design, this one deserves a place on your shortlist.

Have you owned or used the Blithfield 5? Do you prefer the compact 5kW, the larger 8kW, or the double-sided version? We’d love to hear your experiences — drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation.

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Reece Toscani

Reece has over two decades in the fireplace and stove world — testing, reviewing, and occasionally getting covered in soot, all in the name of wood-fired home heating. He cuts through the nonsense, busts the myths, and shares straight-talking advice to help you enjoy your stove without the confusion. From Fireplace Products to Redefining Woodburners, if it burns wood, he’s probably tested it, fixed it, or argued about it. Now, through Woodburner Insights, he shares that experience with the world — both here and on YouTube.

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