Review of Franco belge Savoy Elegance - MKII
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I had the Franco Belge Savoy Elegance installed in December 2011 and initially we were happy with this stove. However, I have had the same problem as other reviewers in that after a few months the top fire brick cracked across the line of the holding screws. I understood that the fire bricks are just one of the items not covered by the warranty so I forked out £40.00 for a replacement only for this to fail after about 3 months. I thought this was a bit to much so I contacted my stove supplier who asked me if the baffle plate was cast iron or steel as there was a modification that had been made because of the top fire brick breaking I told him it was cast iron ( which was the material for the modification) but I later received a new cast iron baffle plate and new top fire brick which I dully installed. After about another 3 or 4 months the top fire brick broke again which really set me off. I then patched up the broken ones I had and they lasted for about as long as the original ones before breaking again, so this is a serious problem that Franco Belge have to sort out. Two nights ago I noticed a crack on the top plate of the stove which runs from the front across the top to the flue about the middle of the top plate. As my stove is now just about 3 years installed and the guarantee is only 2 years I feel very let down with this stove. I have had quotes for a replacement top plate and it will cost around £120.00 to £140.00 for the plate alone and then all the hassle to fit it. I have refitted a new rope seal round the door twice which is fine as I expect this to compress to a point where it becomes ineffective and would recommend that this be done once a year at least. My stove is only in use in the evenings during the week and sometimes all day at the weekends so it has been off a lot more than lit so I am really disappointed that the top plate has cracked after a relatively short time for an expensive stove like this although I do like the appearance of the stove and it burns well but I would be looking to buy elsewhere if buying again.
Stove expert replied: This model does not need the vermiculite baffle in the stove which is confirmed by the UK Distributor – these were supplied as the original steel baffle needed the extra protection of vermiculite but when the steel baffle was replaced with cast iron, this was thick enough to not need the extra protection from the vermiculite and it was just a cosmetic function. You can happily burn the stove without a vermiculite baffle in place. Should you require the vermiculite baffle part the UK Distributor will gladly supply one if provided with details of where the goods were purchased from, date etc.
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