Tesco Value MINI OIL Filled Radiator

Review updated December 2011.

TESCO VALUE MINI OIL FILLED RADIATOR

It seems rather fitting to be penning a review about a heater in early April with snow falling thick and fast outside!

This compact radiator is ideal for providing heat in small areas, as the name implies it is a small appliance. The radiator is white in colour,so would blend in with most colour schemes. It is very light and easy to move around, being freestanding, not wall mounted. It produces a remarkable amount of warmth for a compact heater and is neat in appearance. It is small enough to stow away in a cupboard when not in use. The maximum wattage is 700w. and it comes with a fitted plug as standard. It is a basic radiator and as such, does not have a timer function or any fancy programmes. There are two heat settings and an on/off light so you know the radiator is plugged in. There is an automatic thermostat to regulate heat output. The unit attains a decent level of heat very quickly, making this a quick way to warm a room. Being a metal construction, it does get rather hot to the touch, so I would advise caution where young children are concerned and careful consideration as to the siting of this appliance. That said, it is a sturdy construction and not easily knocked over, however, there is a safety cut out, should an accident of this nature occur.

I bought this mini radiator primarily to provide background heat on my narrow boat when we are moored in an area with shore power. The boat is over 30 ft in length by 7ft wide, the radiator keeps us snug and warm during the cool evenings when it is not cold enough to light our log burning stove. I have yet to run the radiator from my generator, but should I do so, I will update this review accordingly. In a more traditional domestic setting, the Tesco Value Mini Oil Filled radiator would make a good standby form of heating or a suitable heater for instant heat in a small room.

The radiator cost £19.99 from Tesco Extra, Northampton branch, in November 2007. It represents extremely good value for money and although electricity is not the most cost effective method of heating, for occasional use you cannot go far wrong with this radiator. It is not the most attractive item of electrical equipment, but not many radiators are!

I would recomment this product to anyone requiring a low maintenence, simple, no frills electric heater to simply plug in and get warm.

Main specs
Cost: £19.99
Construction:
Maximum Wattage: 700
Number of Heat Settings: 2
On / Off Light: Yes
Programmable: No
Timer: No Timer
Type: Freestanding Oil Radiator

Tesco contact details:
Tesco Stores Ltd
Cheshunt
EN8 9SL
www.tesco.com
Customer Careline (Freephone) 0800 505555 Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm
Telephone orderline 08456004411

Update

I originally wrote this review in April 2008, so over three years have passed and I felt it was time to update it!

The radiator is still going strong, it now lives in my conservatory at home, a fairly small room, measuring approx 14 feet in length by 7 feet in width. The radiator heats this room perfectly well in all but the very coldest weather. It provides a comfortable instant heat and we are still very pleased with it. For £19.99, this radiator has proved to be worth every penny, it still looks good, functions well and is as efficient as ever.

Last year (2010) the radiator came with us on a road trip in our camper van where we ran it very succesfully via generator. A brilliant buy and one I would heartily recommend to others.
Thanks for reading this updated review.

brittle1906 December 2011.