Looking for something like a mini-Aga to cook on? The Salamander Little Range Cookstove might be it.
This tiny cast-iron range is often called a “hobbit-sized” multi-fuel cooker – compact enough for a cabin or boat galley, but packed with modern tech. It burns wood, coal, or eco-logs and cranks out a respectable 4.3 kW of heat. It’s DEFRA-approved and meets strict EcoDesign 2022 standards, so it’s efficient and eco-friendly. In short, it’s small, stylish, and surprisingly powerful.
Key features
Multifuel & Compact – This little beauty takes logs, coal, or briquettes, making it versatile for any off-grid kitchen or tiny home. Despite its small size, it still delivers the same functionality as a full-sized range.
Oven + Hotplate – A removable stainless-steel oven shelf gives about 880 cubic inches of bake space, and the entire stovetop (about 221 square inches) is one big cooking surface. You can simmer, boil, or fry on different spots of the hotplate while roasting or baking in the oven.
Built-in Efficiency – Cast-iron construction (with brass cook rings and a stainless insert top) makes it rugged and good-looking. It’s rated about 86% efficient, so you get plenty of heat with little wasted energy. Many owners praise its heat output, calling it “amazing” and noting it throws out a lot of warmth despite its size.
Space-Savvy Design – The Little Range is ideal where a big stove won’t fit. It’s often installed in small kitchens, shepherd’s huts, boats, or even medium fireplace openings. One user quipped they “couldn’t imagine our kitchen without this lovely stove” once it was in place.
Eco-Friendly Operation – Besides being EcoDesign approved, it supports clean-burning habits. For best results, use dry wood (under 20% moisture) and consider a “top-down” lighting method: build the fire with kindling on top so the fuel gradually lights and burns cleanly.
Cooking on the Little Range
Cooking on the Little Range is surprisingly satisfying. Think of the entire shiny top as one giant burner: when it’s good and hot, you can slide pots around to find just the right simmer or boil. The stainless insert on the hotplate is removable, making cleanup easier after a messy fry-up. The oven is big enough for a roast chicken or a loaf of bread, and a handy tip from Salamander is that you can even use a Dutch oven on the plate if you need extra oven space.
Owners report loving the flexibility: one said they’ve roasted veggies and baked bread with ease, and another praised how many dishes they can cook at once. With a bit of practice, it’s not hard to cook multi-course meals – just like on a full-size range, but with a very friendly learning curve. The clean burn technology also means the oven heats evenly, so dinner doesn’t end up half-raw or burnt.
How it fits in small spaces
If your kitchen is cramped, the Little Range shines. It’s roughly 30 inches wide and only about 20 inches deep, so it tucks into small fireplaces or corners without overwhelming the room. Reviews mention it working great in a tiny Victorian fireplace and even inside narrowboats. Despite its modest heat rating, it can warm up to about 500–600 square feet in a well-insulated space, which is plenty for a studio or little cottage.
Because it’s multi-fuel and EcoDesign-certified, many off-gridders treat it as a primary cook heat source. One real user put it simply: “a great little wood burner! Perfect fit into our Edwardian fire surround. Looking forward to cosy winter nights”. Another camper said it was “perfect for our Shepherd’s Hut,” providing cooking and heat in one compact package. In tight quarters, every inch counts, and most users find the Little Range strikes a great balance between “big enough to cook with” and “small enough to live with.”
What owners love (and tips from the field)
Overall, the Little Range gets glowing feedback. Users highlight its heat output, charm, and practicality: one owner declared it “amazingly pleasing and wonderfully practical” on their tiny stove. Many mention how handsome it looks – that old-world cast iron style has a way of becoming the room’s focal point.
That said, every stove has its quirks. A common note is that the door handle can get very hot during a blaze. The handle is cast iron (for strength and seal), so it conducts heat. One review warned you can’t open the door without a glove. Salamander anticipates this: each stove comes with a handy metal multi-tool to hook the door safely, so you never have to touch the scalding handle directly. It’s a small inconvenience, but a predictable one on a hot stove.
A few other tips: always burn well-seasoned wood (it burns hotter and cleaner), and don’t be afraid to leave a thin bed of ash on the grate – it actually helps maintain heat and protect the firebricks. Before any big cooking session, make sure the stove is fully warmed up so the top plate and oven are up to temperature.
Common caveats
It’s worth noting that at ~4.3 kW, the Little Range won’t heat an entire large house. It shines in small-to-medium spaces. Also, like any wood stove, it needs proper venting – a 6″ flue is recommended. Installation guides suggest keeping 450–500mm of clearance to combustibles. Once set up, you should give it an annual clean and occasional paint touch-up to keep it looking fab.
With care and dry wood, it’s not hard to keep the glass clear and the fire lively. If soot builds up, it usually means a low-burning fire – simply burn hotter or open for a moment when refueling. (Salamander even recommends the fun trick of gently scrubbing the warm glass with paper and ash if it gets grimy.)
The “BIG” Little Range
For wood-stove enthusiasts in need of cooking capability, the Little Range hits a sweet spot. It’s fun to cook on, offers genuine baking and boiling power, and feels as cozy as a living-room fireplace. Readers on a tight budget or with lots of space might balk at the price (it’s an investment), but its fans say it’s worth every penny for the quality and service. As one happy customer put it, “we really couldn’t imagine our kitchen without this lovely stove”.
So, if you’re dreaming of baking bread on cast iron or simmering stew in your yurt, this little wonder could be your new best friend. In other words: big things can come in small packages – and with a cup of tea on the boil at all times too. 😉
