WhatStove?

Review of Morso s10-40

Great looking stove, shame about the issues

Paul Birnie 5 years ago

I will start this review on a positive. I have had it 6 years now and I can say that it is a lovely looking stove with a great viewing window. It produces a good amount of heat and the external air option is great , plus helps the pull on the flue.

Unfortunately this stove has some major, what I would call manufacturing issues, I am an engineer, so I do have a technical background. This is my opinion.

As I have found out from Morso, the door seal diameter and door has been changed from the earlier model which is what I have.

So you may be lucky if you have the updated version. The door has over time warped very slightly , the door doesn't seal all the way around the fire because of this , even with a new morso rope seal , which you have to contact morso for as the standard size seal for this fire doesn't fit.

This door not fitting correctly results in slight over heating at the front of the stove even when you shut the air supply down. And this causes the the internal welded opening supports to buckle, then eventually distorting the whole fire.

So this fire was unusable after just over 5 years. I have had stoves all my life and I am aware of not over heating them so I was always careful.

I contacted Morso about this issue and they did not comment on the issue. Instead , they hid behind there terms and conditions, saying that you only get 5 year warranty when fitted by a Morso approved installer or three years for a hetas installer and one year if fitted yourself. This issue has nothing to do with how it is installed but that seems to be used as a tool to avoid the real issue.

On top of that, the air control stuck from new and I was advised to use a metal file to fix it.

Plus the door handle is very poor. It either sticks or wobbles.

What a real shame as it could be a great stove, and the after care was not good at all.

Stove expert replied: If the stove had a flue damper or stabilizer fitted to the flue there would be more control and thus would prevent distortion of the door / components. A flue draught test can be undertaken to establish if this is required. If the stove is not controllable and responsive then this is the first place to look. If the welded parts buckle then the stove has been overfired for long periods and a manufacturer will not cover this under warranty.

Overall rating:

2 flames

Build Quality 1 flames (avg 3.7)
Quality of finish 2 flames (avg 4.1)
Value for money 1 flames (avg 3.3)
Ease of use 1 flames (avg 3.2)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 3.4)
Firebox size 3 flames (avg 3.6)
How well does the airwash work 2 flames (avg 3.7)
Controllability 1 flames (avg 3.2)
Handle operation 2 flames (avg 3.4)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 3.3)
What is your overall satisfaction? 1 flames (avg 3.3)