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Dovre 700 stove

Overall Rating:

4.5 flames

based on 5 reviews    (View rating breakdown)
Dovre 700 stove

Please note that the dimensions for the Dovre 700 multi fuel stove are not the same as the wood burning model.

The wood burning version, the Dovre 700CBW stove, can be used in a smokeless area.

The Dovre 700 is a good quality cast iron stove with a single door. There is one large window in the door.

Technical Data
  • Efficiency: 75%

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Review Ratings Breakdown

Build Quality 4.5 flames
Quality of finish 4.5 flames
Value for money 4.5 flames
Ease of use 4.5 flames
Ease of lighting 5 flames
Firebox size 5 flames
How well does the airwash work 4 flames
Controllability 4.5 flames
Handle operation 4 flames
How likely are you to buy it again? 4.5 flames
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames

Most Recent Review

  • Excellent

    Paul Mortimer-lee 10 years ago

    This is a big stove but we a have large room and a large inglenook and it's perfect for that. We have the multifuel version, so the grate airflow is good for getting the fire started. The stove
    is BIG - you could have a party in it - and perfect for nice big dry logs that burn well but last, but without a 'lazy' flame. The side loader is great for longer logs. The secondary airflow control is good (you can vary the stiffness of it by altering a couple of screws) and the glass stays pretty clear. The secondary airflow is quiet, which is different from a couple of other stoves I've had and the airwash works well. The glass does not extend all the way down the door, which is a plus because on some stoves glass that extends as low as the log retainer ends up very sooted up at the bottom. This is never an issue with the dovre 700. Nonetheless, the very wide glass door means you have a good view of the flame.In multifuel mode it also heats well. The grate part is small in relation to the overall area of the bottom of the stove and is countersunk. The plus with this is You can get a nice hot mounded centre of the stove and get it to stay in well. The downside is the ash can collect a lot in the well and the coals outside the well burn less well. The ashpan is smaller than you'd think from the external size of the ashpan door. A wider grate and ashpan would be a big improvement in my view. The other thing I'd change is the door handle. There's a wooden handle with a steel end that just slips into the front door handle, the side door handle and the ashpan door. I find it annoying. If they magnetised the steel end maybe it would not fall out so often when we use it, but this is a niggle not a major drawback.The side and back 'firebricks' are cast iron, which will last longer than regular firebricks (I hope). Easy to remove for cleaning.Because we have an inglenook we like to use one of those "stirling engine" fans on top of the stove. Maybe because the stove is so big we don't cram it with fuel, so the sides and flue pipe (back exit) are often cooler (80-90 degrees F) than the top, which heats up very well indeed and drives the fan well.Overall this is an excellent stove. I prefer it with wood but I may be biased as we have free supplies of this. There are, as with any stove, things that could be better, but overall it's a well-built, solid (175kg!) stove that gives good heat and looks well in the right setting. We are very happy with it.
    Overall rating:

    4.5 flames

Most Popular Review

  • Excellent

    Village Girl 14 years ago

    I installed the wood only version about 3 years ago (mine did come with a side door, contrary to the report in the other review). I've never been cold since! Overall, the quality is excellent
    - the door hinges sometimes work their way up and have to be banged back down before the door falls off, but that hasn't happened for two years now. Maybe it was just stiff from being new. Amazingly easy to light - it never fails and takes no effort or complicated rituals - one firelighter and a few thin branches, and you're off. Totally uncomplicated to use, whatever you put in always catches. Mine has kept going for over 18 hours at a stretch from one (substantial) load, lighting the new load from the embers of the previous one. In fact, over winter, I hardly ever need to "light" the fire. The firebox is a good size, admitting logs 50 cm long (something I appreciate, because I cut my own wood - a bigger firebox means less chopping). It's straightforward to crank up the heat or damp it down - however, when closed down as far as it will go and still operate, the airwash isn't as effective. Handle operation is fine.Mine heats a house 160 square metres big, on two floors, if I leave all the doors open. Even in deepest winter (temperatures can fall to -20°C where I live).I don't suppose I'll ever need to buy another one, as these are built to last, and I don't intend to move. But my brother bought one on the strength of a winter visit here, and is equally pleased with his.I cleaned the chimney for the first time this year (easy procedure, and no mess), and all that came down was half a plastic carrier bag of soot, so their cleaner combustion claims would seem to be founded.
    Overall rating:

    5 flames

More reviews for Dovre 700 stove

  • Does a great job!

    Liz 11 years ago

    We've had this woodburning Dovre for about 10 years now and feel we couldn't have got it more right for the large space we need to heat. The room itself is approximately 20 feet square and 10
    feet high. This fire has it toasty warm from cold in about half an hour. It's easy to light and control. Whilst it doesn't exactly stay in overnight it revives easily - we've found no great advantage in stacking it up, better to put one substantial log in the firebox and shut it down. Come morning add paper, some twigs and it'll get on with it. Perhaps worth saying that we burn all sorts of wood on this having had lots of building work done - the fire is very good tempered and works just as well with anything. Glass can blacken a bit if you burn greener wood but generally is fine and anyway easy to clean. We've had one cracked brick in all this time. Slight moderation in 'ease of use' marks may be us - the door tends to swing open, it's large and heavy after all, but perhaps it may be just a bit off level. Can't think how we'd have lived without it, it makes our home so warm and comfortable and friends love to gather round it. We'd certainly buy the same again - but know we won't have to of course, it's built to last.

    Stove expert replied: Sounds like the heart of the home.

    Overall rating:

    4.5 flames

  • best stove...

    Lyn 13 years ago

    Brilliant stove, easy to light, fool-proof design. Large firebox is wonderful. I installed one about 12 years ago that had removable side panels...this was a fabulous design as it allowed a
    convective air-flow to be created, drawing cool air up from the floor, heating it between the firebox and then blowing out the top of the panels - what a fantastic design!

    Stove expert replied: What a great review, nothing that doesn't please!

    Overall rating:

    4.5 flames

  • decent cast iron stove if you like the design

    Lars Koerdt 15 years ago

    I have recently installed and tested a Dovre 700 CB. Watch out for vermiculite firebricks inside, never a great idea. Cast iron is better in my opinion. Funny little spiral handle to the front
    door and N.B. the side opener only exists on the multifuel version. Can be a bit confusing on the Dovre website. Apart from that the stove seems to be pretty well made and is easy to light and operate. Both cleanburn and airwash work well. So, if you live in a smoke control area and want a big stove there is not much to choose from and you could choose worse a stove. If you can live with the design you've got a well made stove for the money.
    Overall rating:

    4 flames