Reviews
13 years later and the Windkat Cowl is still doing it's Job
Guten Tag,
nach nun ca. 13 Jahren kann ich Ihnen mitteilen, dass unser Windkat nach wie vor sehr gut funktioniert und wir sehr zufrieden sind.
sonnige Grüße vom Balaton und von
Werner Giebenhain
Translation:
Good day,
after about 13 years I can tell you that our Windkat is still working very well and we are very satisfied.
Sunny greetings from Lake Balaton and from
Werner Giebenhain
We tried many different things from spinning cowls...
Evening,
It's been quite a few years, many infant since we installed a Windkat.
We keep meaning to message how happy we are and continue to be happy.
We are open to the elements and extremely rural. We had absolutely years of backdraught, smoky house and problems with wind from the west.
We tried many different things from spinning cowls to extending the chimney outside and so on.
Stumbled across this and no turning back.
Amazing. Literally no issues since.
Thanks
J.S
No downdraft since fitting.
The Windkat improves indoor air quality, cures lighting issues and resolves a cold draught.
Hi Windkat,
Windkat Cowl for Chimney Pots
The Windkat successfully resolves smoke throughout the home.
Windkat Chimney Pot installation a breeze!
The Windkat Cowl cures chimney noise and chimney smells in Italy.
The Windkat Cowl with double walled Extension
Hello Windkat,
The Windkat Cowl cures wind noise in high winds far north of Scotland...
Hello,
Please find attached a few photographs of our new Windkat cowl.
I built my house back in 2016 and ever since we moved in we have been bothered with chimney noise during high winds. It was so bad that we could not even hear the television. As we live in the very far north of Scotland, high winds are very common. Since I fitted me new Windkat Cowl we have had winds over 60mph and the noise has reduced dramatically. There is still a slight noise during seriously high winds but that is to be expected. I am very happy with my purchase and will be recommending the Windkat Cowl to anyone who has down draft or chimney noise issues.
Best Regards
S. Campbell
The Windkat Cowl cures short flue problem...
Dear Windkat Team,
Stunning Windkat Cowl installation in Malta cures smoke and smell issues...
Thank you for such a professional and swift service. We are so please with our Windkat's, which have finally solved the long and on going smoke and smell issues in our home. We will be recommending this product to all our friends and neighbours here in Malta.
All the best from Malta.
The Windkat Cowl cures AGA flue Downdraught problems
Dear Windkat Team,
Double walled / Twin walled flue with Windkat Cowl cures Downdraught at long last...
Dear Windkat Cowls,
Following, on from your email I went ahead and ordered a 'Windkat Cowl', and it arrived last week. Within 3 days of me placing the order. What a service.
On Saturday last it was fitted by a representative. The Company that installed the original fire and flue.
The fire was lit that evening and the transformation was amazing. There was no down draft and the experience of smoke drifting off the top of the fire was nil and a much better draw up the chimney was evident. The fire burnt throughout the evening with a much brighter intensity.
I am so pleased that I came across your companies product because I was on the brink of putting a heating element at the base of the external stack.
You have a wonderful product and I wish every success with the unit.
Yours sincerely,
Robert C.
The Windkat Cowl working in the deep snowy Austrian Alps
Nothing beats getting an email from an old customer with a photo of his Windkat Cowl in action and surrounded by meters of deep snow.
This is why we love our product and love helping people create a cosy home worldwide.
If 2019 can bring us as much happiness than 2018 then bring it on.
Windkat Cowls Team.
Tired of being smoked out? Install the Windkat Cowl
As soon as both our new Windkat’s were installed by our chimney sweep we immediately wanted to test them out. Thankfully we had some strong winds that afternoon/evening which meant we could test them in the weather conditions we have had such issues with.
We could not believe it and we had been very skeptical before purchasing as so many products have failed in the past and we have spent a lot of money already. But even in strong winds our stove didn’t react in a negative way and burnt beautifully with upward flames. In the past our fire would go out and smoke would start spilling into the room leaving us with no option but to open the windows and give up on the fire.
Our problems have been solved and we will certainly recommend your Windkat System to friends and family.
Many Thanks
B.H
The Windkat Cowl cures smokey fireplace in Wine Bar
Good afternoon,
I have attached a few Windkat photos when the weather was nice. Both Windkat's are working amazingly well and we couldn't be more happy. No more smoke or downdraught ruining the restaurant atmosphere. Thank you for the great service and support.
Many thanks
Diana R
Stunning Windkat installation in the heart of the Austrian Alps
We have had a troubled and smokey stove for some time now and I can finally say after trying several Cowls we have hit the jackpot. Thank you to Windkat Cowls and your excellent service. We are looking forward to a successful winter at long last. What a great clever Cowl you have. I wont be surprised if I start seeing these Windkat's all over the Alps and chalets in the near distant future. I will be recommending them.
All the best,
Steve M
Windkat Cowl cures failed Gas Fire spillage test
Hi Windkat Cowls,
Our Windkat cowl has now been fitted, and good news, the chimney now works. The gas fire, that previously failed its spillage test, this time round passed with flying colours.
Thank you for all your help.
Best wishes
Paul G
Windkat Cowl for Chimney Pots
Windkat Cowl reduces Black Carbon and reduces wood consumption
Dear Sir or Madam,
I Installed my new Windkat on Wednesday and am really excited about its product.
The stove no longer smokes when lit, draws clean and can be much better controlled than my previous rotating cowl, which stopped rotating after 1.5 years.
On Saturday and Sunday we enjoyed the calm flames without the slightest smell of soot at long last. We are using far less wood as we previously were and couldn't be happier.
I did not think this product would work so well so quickly.
I'm really looking forward to a nice non-smoking stove in my cosy living room.
Best regards
H. S.
The Windkat provides cosiness in the Mountains for Hotel owner
Hi team Windkat,
I wanted to send you a quick review after these cold winter months in the mountains. The Windkat has provided cosiness for both in the hotel and in our private household for a pleasant good-pulling stove at long last. As seen here at the Alststaufner Einkehr in Oberstaufen.
All the best
K.L
Difficult Stove burns beautifully again thanks to the Windkat Cowl
Hello Windkat Cowls,
I have recently purchased a Windkat Cowl and I have now tried it at long last and I must say I am completely thrilled. There is no more smoke in the living room, no matter what direction the wind is, it makes no difference to the Windkat it works like a dream. The flame burns beautifully and the release of heat with my not so great stove has increased significantly. This investment has paid off.
All the best,
Simon P
Kent
Windkat Cowl works in all weather conditions.
Hello,
I fitted a Windkat cowl to the flue from my woodburning stove a few months ago. The stove has been in regular use since, in all weathers, and the Windkat has transformed its performance. The flue is to the front of the roof face and lower than the ridge, fully exposed to winds from the south or south-west. Originally, it had only a rain cap. Any wind onto the roof made the stove susceptible to downdraft and smoking, or to excessive draw. In strong winds, I had to play with opening and closing doors and windows in the room to balance the pressure and allow the stove to work at all. I was a bit sceptical of anti-downdraught cowls after disappointing results with a cowl of a different make on another flue, but I decided to try the Windkat as it claimed to be properly designed and engineered. I am very glad I did, the stove is now well behaved with even the strongest winds barely affecting the flames. Great product!
Best regards,
Barry
Windkat Cowl Van installation cures trouble in severe winds in the French Alps
Hi Windkat,
Windkat Cowl for Twin wall Flues (Northampton)
Hello Windkat,
I would like to thank you very much for your help and assistance with our fire. The Windkat is mounted! And what can I say: It works flawlessly. The time when I had to use and light newspaper in our stove is finally over. Our room doesn't get filled with toxic newspaper smoke anymore. I'm very happy and happy to have made the decision to install the Windkat. Thank you for the good advice and I wish you all a Happy new Year for 2018.
Greetings from N.
Family S.
Windkat Chimney Pot Installation cures Downdraught problems
Hello Windkat Cowls,
The Windkats arrived as promised and have now been installed along side the previous Windkat we installed some years ago after trying numerous unsuccessful cowls. Now all the appliances are working fine with no downdraught problems so far.
Kind regards
John
The "Magical" Windkat Cowl cures Downdraught on a Low Flue Top
A Unique Windkat Installation
A unique Windkat Cowl project and installation has been completed. The fire draws beautifully and has created a great cosy place to relax and chill. Even though the flue is only 2.5m in length the Windkat has created an even steady draw, even during these cold winter nights.
Thank you so much for all your help and assistance.
Regards,
Martin Rall
The Windkat Cowl system helps even in the most extreme conditions!
Hello, Surely you can still remember our conversation. We own a house on the Vesteralen (about 300km north of the Arctic Circle). As you can see in the attached pictures, we have a 300m high mountain directly behind the house. As a result, the wind is all over the place and causes havoc on our property. With the original mounted chimney cowl, it happened again and again that the wind was blowing the smoke through the stove on the first floor and into the living room. It became so bad we didn't light the stove and had given up. Since the installation of the Windkat, we have had incredible results starting with an even flame and fire in our stove. Even in high and unpredictable wind directions the fire burns beautifully and the smoke issue has vanished into thin air. Great invention! Many Thanks D.S.
Windkat Cowl cures smoking stove and fireplace
Hello, I installed my new Windkat on my stainless steel chimney flue and immediately tested the effect of it. We had high winds that I can only compare to the likes of autumn and spring storms. We lit our stove for the first time a few weeks ago and have not looked back since. The flames were calm and we had no smoke filling up the stove and trying to escape the seems. Its been a frustrating few years and we now look forward to a stress free winter. Thank you so much for your help and for such an excellent product. Attached are photos with our previous cowl which didn't work at all and the new Windkat Cowl. Greetings L. K.
Spinning Cowl or a Windkat Cowl???
Hi there,
I have just replaced my spinning flue cap with the Windkat Cowl and would like to tell you what a difference it's made!
Due to our installation the flue is towards the minimum length allowable. A spinning cowl was fitted to assist with the draw, however due to the prevailing wind and surrounding structure it would only spin on a rare occasion.
Whilst the stove has remained usable and I absolutely love it, on some gusty days we would have issues with backdraft and on seriously windy days we've even had smoke being forced out of the stove through the air inlet into the room!
It was after the recent high winds that I stumbled upon the Windkat Cowl. As an aircraft engineer I recognised the principle behind the design (aircraft fuel systems use high pressure fuel to induce a motive flow in a jet pump) and knew it would be ideal for my installation.
Whilst it's still early days, I've noticed an immediate improvement in the stove performance and would thoroughly recommend fitting a Windkat Cowl if people are experiencing problems with poor draw/backdraft.
Please feel free to add my comments to your site! Great product and works as advertised!
Many thanks,
Al Black
Auchterarder
Windkat chimney Cowl installation in the heart of Hampshire
Hi Philip,
We have now had the Windkat installed for around a month and have had successful after successful after successful fire without any issues.
We had two installation companies visit our property and both said that they would not install a wood burner as they were 80-90% sure that it wouldn't work in our location. We live very close to trees and have a steep garden so they were assuring me that downdraft was sure to be a major issue. I tried to explain to one fitter about the Windkat cowl and how different they are from others, but he wouldn't listen to me and said that he they are all the same...
Went to the third company and mentioned about the downdraft concern but that I intend to install a Windkat cowl. The site survey was done and they were going to use a premium flue system with the Windkat and were very confident that it will work.
So far so good. We have seen the smoke blowing down so know that it is certainly working well as the fire seems to light and burn well.
After many conversations with you, I am so glad that I took the plunge and had the burner installed with a Windkat on the flue. The company who installed the wood burner are so impressed, they will be giving it a recommendation to other clients that have the same issue. It works well and looks really cool too.
Great product and we are very happy and extremely toasty...
Kind regards
Gary
Windkat 148mm Plug-in (Black) for Twin Wall System
Good afternoon.
I recently purchased and (easily) self installed my Windkat a few weeks ago. For a product to get a review from me it's either truly awful or extremely good! Yours very definitely falls into the second category. We've had a troublesome stove in our kitchen for a number of years. It was so unpredictable we hardly used it and almost regretted fitting it. Today has been my first proper test. I lit the fire in a way (deliberately) that would have been a disaster previously and the stove drew beautifully. I am flabbergasted at the difference. A really windy or cold and still day will be the final test but so far it's looking really great. Photo available as an addition to my words should you like one. Thank you again.
Follow up email:
Lit it in the wind last night, absolutely no problems at all. Wish everything did it's job as well as your product!
Greg.
Terracotta Windkat Cowl 180 Baseplate
Now that the days are getting shorter and the outside temperatures are getting colder, the time has come when using your fireplace or stove will increases the cosiness of your home. To ensure this becomes a reality, the Windkat Cowl is the only solution.
We are delighted that the Windkat has once again solved another customers open fireplace issue, lack of draw and smokey room problems. The Windkat was also colour matched against the customers unique chimney stack which they are extremely proud of.
These are just some of the reasons a Windkat Cowl can transform your home for the better.
Windkat Cowl in the Swiss Alps
Your Windkat Cowl has been installed and our stove is finally drawing beautifully again after years of stress. I have attached some photos for you.
Thank you for your excellent service and product.
M Dallenbach
Windkat Cowl for Ventilation purposes
Dear Mr. Goerlach,
As promised, I would like to review one of our results concerning the Windkat Cowl.
I have attached two pictures for you which shows the problems of the flue set up and wall mounting set up. As a restriction on the height was an issue we only needed to use a 90 ° angle flue and then the installation of the Windkat itself. The purpose of the Windkat was to take over manually when our ventilation system is turned off inside the building.
As far as the Windkat is concerned and the operation of the system, we can not yet determine any clear results since we have only been able to test it in a few occasions but so far the results have been outstanding and we are so happy.
With regards to the Windkat working and being successful it was clear after switching off the ventilation fan, because then we were able to establish that a stable air pressure is present. We had tried many other Cowls with no luck and wasting our money but now we can finally relax and get a clean efficient ventilation 24hours a day automatically and now manually.
I would like to thank you very much for having helped us with the ventilation issues we had and helping us choose the right Windkat Cowl. We are also grateful for helping us get a constant even draw and air flow with our ventilation system once its turned off and has to work manually.
Sincerely, / Kind regards
David Delly
Project Engineer Team Process Engineering
Professor Dr. Berg
Custom 300mm Windkat installed in the USA
Dear Windkat Team,
I received the Windkat on Tuesday, arranged for installment on Wednesday, had it installed today (Thursday), and am testing it out as I write the email.
The installers had an easy time of it and we're very impressed with the quality. My father(whose house it is installed on) is happy with how it looks. There was a little initial concern as to how it was going to look but we all think it looks like it belongs.
As the saying goes, "the test of the pudding is in the tasting", and as so, we'll soon see if it solves our downdraft problem.
I'll be sending pictures in the next few days. I should be able to report on how it is working being as how we are in our windiest season.
Thanks for helping me through the delivery process to the USA. You've been helpful to a fault.
Many thanks,
Tom Miller
Indianapolis, Indiana. USA
...The Windkat has 100% cured our Downdraught problems and we are thrilled.
Windkat 200 plug-in 187mm (Terracotta) with 0.5m Extension
Hi Philip
We have had the Windkat for four months now and its working fine, no need to check for down drafts anymore (it looks good to).
The Windkat is working really well. I think we have been through most wind directions, with only a couple of small puffs of smoke in a seriously strong westerly. The last email I sent I had checked the flu when the wind was in the south west and there was a down draft, in the past (with other cowls) this has meant the room filling with smoke on lighting a fire. After using the Windkat I tried lighting the fire and it worked and has been working ever since.
Thank you for all your help,
Kind regards
Barry
Windkat Flue Cowl 148mm (Black) solves Burner issues.
Philip,
Windkat is fitted and it's made a big difference to the control of the burner. It still smokes a little bit when it's cool, but once it gets up to temperature that's when it's noticeable. Before if you closed the primary vent it would die out. Now it's controlled by the secondary vent with good results.
Thank you so much for your help and assistance.
Kind regards
Steve Trotman
Windkat plug-in 220mm for double walled flue (Preston)
Dear Windkat Team,
In March of this year we bought a Windkat Cowl from you. In the last few weeks, we have started lighting our stove and heating our living room and we are thrilled with the results. Our stove burns better than ever before. Our living room is no longer filled with smoke and fumes every time we light the fire, the glass of the stove is always nice and clear and the wood burns perfectly. You are welcome to publish my review on your website. I can highly recommend anyone who has problems with any stove or fireplace to buy a Windkat!
Best regards.
J.E.
Several Windkat Cowl installations (Munich Germany)
A fantastic Windkat Installation for passive ventilation purposes. This is for a Bakery in Munich and has been a huge success. Not only does the Windkat Cowl work for fires and fuels it is also unique in the fact it can be used for passive ventilation.
Windkat Cowl 196mm plug-in with Extension Baseplate. (Sheffield)
Good morning,
As promised, here are two pictures of our Windkat with extension.
We were really desperate to sort out our new fireplace. We had paid a lot of money and it did not work properly. It smelt in our living room of cold smoke and the draw was so bad that we couldn't light a fire anymore.
This is finally now in the past, thanks to your help and your product.
Thank you for your competent advice on the phone and your excellent service. We will be recommending this product to all our friends and family.
Kind regards
M.K.
Windkat 196mm Plug-in Installation (Hungary)
Good day Windkat, After 6 years since the installation, I can happily inform you that we are still very satisfied with the installed WindKat Cowl. The purchase was a very good investment. We finally have a roaring stove again without puffs of smoke entering our living room.
Best greetings from Lake Balaton
Werner Giebenhain
Craig Ryan (Windkat 125mm Black for Chimney Flue System)
Hello Windkat Cowls, I hope your well! Please find attached a couple of pics / small clips of the Windkat in action. Been really impressed with it, working really well. Stove is pulling brilliant with it now. Also Philip have you had any orders from Wigan yet? If not you can be expecting some because I have been in regular contact with the company that fitted my stove - They actually now tell any potential customers with a shorter flue that they would recommend to fit a Windkat cowl, how good is that? Also they text me in the week to ask me where I ordered my Windkat from so I put them onto the website.
Craig Ryan
Troy Archer (Manchester) 196mm Windkat Plug-in for Flues
A big thank you for the Windkat Cowl that we purchased through the company that fitted our log burner. It has resolved our down draft problems entirely after some agonising winters.
Kind regards
Troy Archer
Peter Bennett (Windkat 148mm Plug-in for chimney pots)
Just a couple of photo's showing our Windkat installation.
As can be seen from the 2 original photo's the chimney pot was replaced with a shorter version with the stainless liner tube cemented centrally and the Windkat fitted.
Up to now the Windkat seems to be performing extremely well with a reduced noise level even in the high winds. We are looking forward to the winter storms yet so we will wait and see.
Regards
Peter Bennett
Craig (Devon) Windkat 125mm Plug-in
Hello again I hope you have had a great Christmas and New Year. I just thought I would get back in touch with you whilst the Windkat is on! The product is amazing and my stove is like a new one but with one minor problem, there is still smoke coming back into the room when I open the stove door, but nowhere near as much! It tends to be when there is not much wind outside and it is calm...maybe my flue is too short? On the other hand my stoves glass is no longer black, it is clear! And also my stove is a lot more responsive ( I can actually shut it down now when up to temp) which I could not do before. Also I can easily tell that efficiency has been greatly improved! I am really happy Philip it's just a shame about the little bit of smoke sometimes coming back into the room a bit.
Speak to you soon, regards, Craig (Devon)
Julian - Windkat Baseplate 400mm (Cornwall)
Dear Windkat Cowls Ltd,
Just to let you know that the new cowl is fitted and working extremely well. We haven’t yet had a full Cornish gale but in all other circumstances the chimney has drawn as it should with no sign of any downdraft. Many thanks for all your help.
Kind regards
Julian
26/10/16
"we have been able to have fires which last year would have been out of the question"
Well Philip , having tested your Windkat cowl , I have to report that it has performed exceptionally well in all weather conditions , including some 50/60mph winds.As a result we have been able to have fires which last year would have been out of the question. Once again thanks for the technical advice. I would certainly recommend this product to anyone suffering with backdraught problems. Regards from Barry in windy ,wet , Norfolk.