Review of Franco belge Savoy Elegance - MKII
A couple of problems
I had my Savoy Elegance installed last autumn. I had been reluctant to have a wood burner because I'm not very well off, really liked my large open fireplace and fireback, but smoke was escaping into rooms upstairs and the woodburner seemed the best option. Well! Why hadn't I done this before? There was a much better heat and you can go out and leave it burning safely. I chose the Elegance because I liked the fairly unfussy design. The fitters were so quick and efficient I had hardly time to make them a cup of tea before it was done. Once I had learned how to use the two air controls I found it easy to light and control.
Unfortunately there are some negatives. The top air control is very stiff, particularly when hot. The suppliers sent someone to look at this but because the stove was cold they didn't really see what I meant. Now tonight I am sitting in the cold because when I was lighting it a third of the top fire brick (wall part 105625) dropped into the fire. After only about ten fires, this is really disappointing, and it seems as though it is not going to be a quick job getting a replacement. I see from other posts this is a common problem that has been acknowledged by Franco Belge, but what can you do about it? The other irritation is that for the 8kw an air vent has to be put in the room. I live in a draughty old listed house and when the fire isn't lit there is an almighty wind that comes through it. I do like this stove, I like the look of it, the controllability and the amount of heat it gives off. I just hope the fire brick issue doesn't become an ongoing problem.Stove expert replied: Liners and glass are not covered by warranty, you can use fire cement to keep the parts together while you wait for a replacement.