WhatStove?

Review of Dovre 2700 stove

Not impressed

Chris Ankcorn 10 years ago

I have owned one of these for some years, fitted with a back boiler to heat domestic hot water. The glass lining of this eventually failed, leading to dirty, rusty hot water. Dovre simply informed me that despite still making the stove, they couldn't supply me with a replacement boiler. I had to get one made for me out of stainless steel - fortunately I have friends in the steel industry - and I think my replacement is likely to be better than the original. The chimney damper also broke, this is a poor design which cannot be operated with the doors closed. The bakelite door handle soon broke and replacement price was exorbitant, I fitted a better one myself which doesn't get so hot.

The stove does produce a LOT of ash, which implies inefficiency, and again due to poor design this falls all over the front and needs constant cleaning up. There is a riddle with an ash tray underneath, but again this is a poor design and often jams. Even with the doors closed and properly regulated it uses a lot of wood, although it does throw out the heat if you load it up - but then it's difficult to calm it down. If I didn't own a lot of woodland I would have changed it a long time ago to cut my losses. With the doors open it does look the business though, and it does supply all our domestic hot water in the winter, and it does heat the house.

Stove expert replied: You do not state how long you have had this stove and the glass lining on the boiler failure is disappointing. Good to hear that it does genersate the heat required though.

Overall rating:

2.5 flames

Build Quality 3.5 flames (avg 4.3)
Quality of finish 4.5 flames (avg 4.4)
Value for money 0.5 flames (avg 2.3)
Ease of use 1.5 flames (avg 2.6)
Ease of lighting 4.5 flames (avg 3.6)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 3.7)
How well does the airwash work 3.5 flames (avg 2.3)
Controllability 1 flames (avg 2.2)
Handle operation 1 flames (avg 3)
How likely are you to buy it again? 0.5 flames (avg 1.9)
What is your overall satisfaction? 1.5 flames (avg 2.3)