24.8.2012

We Just moved house and sitting centre in our new living room, we were lumbered with an ugly 1970"s bar fire which was adorned with a gold plastic back-splash, horrendous multi-coloured plastic rocks and rotating disco lights.I couldn't wait to replace it, so after much research this look-alike coal burner seemed the best of a small selection available on Amazon for the price (120 quid) and delivered as efficiently as ever the next day for free through Amazon Prime.Product Review:1. It looks a very stylish but simplistic design, built of solid metal and finished in mat black with brass-look door nobs which are actually made of a soft metal (I'm guessing).The doors also open and you get some small bags of coals to self-furnish the inside giving it an authentic look. The Optiflame effect is pretty good and is accentuated by a mirror at the back which adds false depth to the fire, further enhancing the ambient feel of a real fire but without the mess. The flames seem to rise and flicker a little slower than a real flame but it is not hugely noticeable or off putting.2. The heat this thing chucks out to the front is instant and intense and comes from a 2kw heater and fan. There are 2 settings for heat and you can independently select the Optiflame if you just want the ambient look. A handy remote control allows the infirm (or lazy) person to turn on the heater from their chair. The heater fan is a little noisy when on full, as most heater fans would be, but the Optiflame alone makes a quiet hum which is noticeable but not intrusive.3. Build quality is excellent and it looks like it will last. Ironically Dimplex also built my previous ugly fire which may have survived 40 years, no doubt through several 70s disco parties, many harsh winters and more recently probably also endured a pelting from its own psychedelic rocks by its disgusted previous owners. In short, there is a good pedigree here but the company has finally discovered the mantra that 'fashion is for today, but style is forever'. It is definitely stylish and well built.4. From a practical and flexible point of view, most people would call this portable and could easily shift it from room to room as required and it would even make a novel heating solution for a student or in a large caravan; probably attracting many compliments. No assembly is required and it was also very easy to set up; simply load your false coal lumps onto the fire (optional but highly recommended), plug it in and you're off. Essentially though, it is good at providing the heat you need which is after all why one would buy a heater. However, If I lived in a mansion and I could afford it, I would obviously get a beautiful huge real wood burner and pay my butler to clean the mess everyday, but then I probably wouldn't be reading this review!5. Economy not yet tested long-term.Summary:If you want something that is practical, cheap, functional but also looks nice then go for this. There are cheaper makes and models out there, some even half the price but the reviews are not always complimentary, particularly on how they look as a centre piece in your home's most exhibited place; your living room fire place. Although I have gas central heating, it provides an excellent backup and will allow me to very quickly warm up or top-up the heat in just one room without going round the whole house to isolate radiators. This must also make it more economical for occasional use than gas central heating?I love it and so does my wife and lets face it gents, its her opinion that really counts! Thank you Dimplex and Amazon.

19.4.2017

I normally never write reviews, but I felt compelled to write one for the Dimplex heater because I had many doubts and questions before ordering and did not find them answered.We live in Ireland and I ordered it 2 days ago; it arrived this morning, well packaged and completely put together (we did not even have to screw on the legs like all cheaper heaters need doing). We took it out of the box and plugged it right in - perfect. Both doors open and there is a fairly realistic flame effect on the back, with a hardly visible pattern. There is a plastic bed of "glowing coals", and 3 small bags with about 15 pieces of real coal were in the box, which can be placed on the plastic bed for a more realistic effect.All over the inside back wall, there is a mirror which displays the fiery glow when switched on. When switched off, the mirror is visible, but as it is low to the ground, you have to stoop down to see it.It is already fitted with LED lights for the fire (environmentally friendly and cheap) and I have not found a door to replace them, but I suppose LED bulbs are long lasting and probably don't have to be replaced. The button for manual on/off switching and the 2 heat buttons (one for 1kW and one for 2kW) are placed low on the left side of the unit, and there is a remote control (complete with fitted batteries, black, about 2" long and very slim) which switches the stove on and off to the last setting it was set to. In other words, if it is set to 1kW heat output and switched off, the remote switches it back on to that setting.To switch the unit on, the glowing fire comes on automatically, so it is not possible to have the heat on without the "glowing fire" look, but it is possible to have the glow on without any heat output. Soundwise it is exactly as loud as a small fan heater (and slightly louder on the 2kw setting) because this is essentially what it is. It throws out an amazing amount of heat; our living room is 6m x 7m, and it warmed up immediately. It is higher off the ground than other heaters; I kept checking the temperature on the floor underneath the stove, but it did not make the floor very hot at all and the heat is thrown out along the bottom front only. I was also worried about the on/off buttons to be hot to the touch, but they are not affected by the heat at all. It switches off automatically when it gets too hot and this is a safety feature and can't be adjusted manually; after a few minutes it has cooled down enough to be switched on again.At 16c per Irish kW hour, this is much cheaper to run than brickets or coal in a fireplace. I have one complaint (which is ridiculous I admit): The polished "Dimplex" logo is very shiny and large on the (pretend) ash drawer so that this might have to be covered somehow. A cute, stylish, effective heater and super safe - a friend of ours dropped by as we had just plugged it in and asked if we got a new "real" stove, so it looks really realistic (at first glance anyway). I would definitely recommend.

24.11.2014

We had initially looked at the opti-myst range but they were far too expensive for the amount of use we believe it would get. We were really after an occasional use heater that could be a better focal point than a television, which is how most rooms seem to be arranged these days.First of all, although it is made out of plastic or suchlike (weighing only 15kg in the well-packaged box) it does look like an iron stove. When you unpack it the polystyrene package at the base also contains three small plastic bags filled with real coal - to augment to coal-looking plastic innards of the fire.A remote control (with batteries) is also included although that was a slight disappointment.

5.2.2018

I have only had the fire a day and I half but did quite a bit of research and review reading and for the money and the dimensions that I needed this little fire came out on top I already had a elsetricfireplace suite but the stove that came with it had just given up the ghost after 3 years of actually not that much use in heating terms have central heating so that’s not really what it was used for just for the flame effect really anyway wanted something that looked a little more realistic and the dimplex range with Optiflame looked like it would do the job obviously there are more expensive models optimist opti v etc but I don’t want to spend £400 plus on a fire.The fire came well packaged it

15.11.2016

Purchased a few months ago.Wanted it to heat a 12 by 12 foot room that we would use frequently. Wanted a stove effect to fit in with the décor. Wanted something that wouldn't cost too much to run.Previously had a stove effect fire, which turned out to be some cheap made rubbish, so this time wanted one that was of a decent build quality from a brand that is recognised.ObservationsOverall it looks the part.It looks realistic and the flame effect certainly looks more real than other makes we have seen. It looks quite realistic when looking at it from an angle.It heats up the room really quick. There are 2 settings so you can alter the heat if required.Energy a rated so reasonably efficient,

15.3.2016

Not sure when ordering that i was entirely happy with this fire. I had previously bought a dimplex optiflame but a larger more expensive version. The inglenook fireplace in this room was smaller so necessitated a smaller version. On arriva,l i was extremely pleased to find this small fire was very good value for money. The only drawbacks are that the remote only switches the fire on or off, whereas the other fire i had previously purchased can change the settings via the remote, also that the switch for the settings is on the bottom righthand side of the fire which in a small opening can be difficult. The flame effect and heating capacity is excellent. It is not overky noisy.

2.1.2013

The fire itself deserves a 5 star.I love the fire with just the light on as it's a cosy addition to the room.With the fan on number 1 there is slightly more noise than expected, but with the TV turned up one or two notches it blocks it out.As for heat, number one is keeping a 25 sqr mtr room very comfortable while it is freezing outside, I haven't yet needed number 2.My only fault, which is more with me than the fire, is the remote. I bought the fire as I am wheelchair bound and thought the remote would be very handy as I can't get down to the buttons. I sit to the side of the fire and have found that the remote only works from directly infront.As we can't have a logburner this is a great

10.10.2017

I debated long and hard it I should buy this, as I really want a real wood burner but as my house has no chimney it would be a messy and expensive job to fit one. I then decided to give this a try, encouraged by the mainly positive reviews. It arrived within 3 days of placing the order and was really easy to install, basically open the box and plug it in. It does brighten up the room, especially now that the long nights are coming. I have not ordered this for the heat, just to give the house a cosy look and focal point. It will never be able to replace the real thing but as a substitute it's more than ok. Would recommend.

2.6.2019

I bought a similar one from Dunelm and I returned it as it looked cheap and very fake. I was conscious of the price of this and was worried I’d made another mistake. But this electric fire definitely didn’t disappoint. I love the fire effect I have it on most of the time when I am relaxing in the living room. The heat that gives out has two settings and I find it doesn’t have that fake heat smell that most electric fans have. I constantly get compliments on it and I love how realistic the flames are compared to other options.

28.4.2014

I have wanted one of these for ages and now I have one it certainly didn't disappoint me. It's beautiful and does everything it says online. The coals are great so lifelike it makes you feel warm just looking at it. I am very happy with my purchase. Recommend it to anyone. It's great with the remote control too. I love it. Delivery wasn't too great though arrived on time but couldn't say much for the delivery drivers attitude needs training on how to deal with customers. But putting that one side am happy with product.

20.11.2014

It's a bit smaller than expected ie not as big as a real log burner. But it looks good and works fine. With just the flameeffect on there is a slight hum but not too bad. It's finished in a satin black which is a bit too shinny for me so I have wiped it over with some real fire place ash to give it a slightly distressed/ real look. It can't compare to a real stovebut it will do until I get around to installing one. Flame effect is very good, have not used the fan heater part as I only want the flame effect.

3.1.2018

This fire looks the part and gives out a nice lot of heat. The flame effect is good and the 'coals' don't look too obviously plastic. The remote is OK but only seems to control on/off and the flame effect so if you want to keep the flame effect on but turn off the heat you have to use the switch on the fire itself. The fan is a little noisy and could be a bit annoying if you had this on and were just sitting in a quiet room. All in all though it was a good buy and we're happy with it.

4.2.2017

My stove has just arrived and is up and running . Arrived three days early too . I didn't really buy it for the heat output just for a focal point ( better than watching tv) I love it . Just tried the heat on it and it really kicks it out. Some people say there is a slight buzz but I truly cannot hear it with just the flame effect on . I suppose there is a pattern to the flame effect but I haven't found it yet . Don't keep thinking about it, just buy it you won't regret it.

12.11.2019

Looks good and optiflame gives this unit a very presentable look. However the remote control looks cheap and gives the impression that it was an afterthought, nor does it work reliably. Personally I don’t think it’s needed but as it’s in the box the least Dimplex could have done was to make it a quality component, rather than something which frustrates the user and does not, more often than not, fail to achieve its intended purpose.

21.11.2012

I love this fire. it has warmed what was once a very cold room, not just when the fire is on but also when just the light is on. This is the first electric fire that i have seen that looks beautiful with just the light on. The delivery of the product was extremely efficient. Just plug it in and away you go....couldn't be easier. really has transformed what was once a cold looking room into a cosy room. Highly reccommended.

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