WhatStove?

Review of Franco Belge Montfort stove

A beautiful stove that draws the damp out of our flagstone floor and stone walls.

Chris & Marianna Webb 11 years ago

This excellent website was a major resource for us when selecting a cast-iron multi-fuel stove for our 14´ X 16´ flag-stone floored living room. We are delighted with our Franco-Belge Elegance stove in ivory enamel finish

For years we relied on an open fire bolstered by 2 radiators and resisted change in the mistaken view that the flames from an open fire are somehow more attractive. This stove not only draws the damp from the floor and walls when we return from a spell abroad, but it generates so much heat that we no longer need to use the expensive oil-fuelled radiators in the room.

We enjoy viewing the flames through the large window panel, and find the 2 air vents easy to adjust to make attractive flame patterns. We use mostly seasoned logs, supplemented sometimes by hotter-burning coal nuggets. These can make the room so warm that we have to open the door! Coal is still burning the next morning, and both the living room and study room above it are still a snug, cosy temperature, making a perfect atmosphere for reading a book, a newspaper or listening to music. Both wood and coal eventually burn right down to a fine powder.

The firebox is quite small but this is not a problem as I empty it after ever use. We find that the window needs cleaning after use, but the soot comes off easily with a damp cloth, newspaper or the scraper that we use on the glass cooking hob. Perhaps we load fuel too close to the door.

The only thing I don’t particularly like aesthetically is the door handle, which to my mind is less ergonomic than that on a Dru or Morsø stove, but this is my only little grumble with what in every other way is a lovely, attractive stove. We are in love with it!

Overall rating:

4.5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 3.9)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Value for money 4 flames (avg 3.7)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4.6)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Firebox size 4 flames (avg 4.2)
How well does the airwash work 4 flames (avg 3.9)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.2)
Handle operation 4 flames (avg 4.3)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 3.4)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 3.6)