WhatStove?

Review of Defiant 1610 woodburning stove

Overall disappointment

Johnmay 14 years ago

Admittedly our stove was bought over 10yrs ago but, assuming the technology hasn't changed, we have very mixed views. I think it is the best looking stove on the market and I like the ability to load from the top with a large metal plate you can heat water on an cook if there were a major power cut.

However, I am afraid the stove is just too complicated and "fragile". The catalyst is easily damaged and needs replacing after a while. We had to do this a couple of years ago and including the buckled internal lining plates the parts alone came to over £600. We do not use the stove in the summer (Inverness) yet within a short time the "guts" of the stove have buckled again and bits fallen off. Too many moving internal parts because of the catalyst. We have never burnt anything other than wood on it. The airwash, if we ever had it, has never worked and the glass is usually opaque and difficult to clean. If you break anything (I managed to break a door glass) it takes an interminable time for parts to arrive from America.

Sorry, but despite its attractive appearance and excellent heat output, we regret buying one.

Overall rating:

2.5 flames

Build Quality 2 flames (avg 4.2)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 4.5)
Value for money 2 flames (avg 3.8)
Ease of use 3 flames (avg 4.3)
Ease of lighting 4 flames (avg 4.6)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 5)
How well does the airwash work 1 flames (avg 3.1)
Controllability 2 flames (avg 3.8)
Handle operation 2 flames (avg 4.3)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 3.7)
What is your overall satisfaction? 3 flames (avg 4.2)