A challenge: take a trip to your local stove showroom and play with the controls on different stove brands. Some will have just 10 or 15mm of play, between "flames almost out" and "a fully roaring fire" and it is hard to set the perfect temperature, especially when wearing thick fireproof mitten. Controls may also be "scratchy" - an unsatisfying metal on metal experience.
The Dik Guerts Ivar 5 must have a full 5" constructional hearth (can be sunk into the floor)). High leg and log store versions can go on a 12mm hearth.
The Ivar 5 has a cast iron door and a steel body. The glass is infrared Chalcogenide which apparently is a very good thing (something to do with transmitting heat and not scratching when being cleaned).
Launched 2014 the Ivar 5 swiftly rose to become one of the top three sellers for Stovefitter's - and deservedly so. The excellent sales happened despite stiff competition from the sub £500 models.
Julian, (author of The Stove Fitter's Manual) has installed the Ivar 5 in his Cornish cottage renovation (so ask him if you speak to him ;-). His immediate neighbour was so impressed that he chose the 8kW Ivar (on a log store) and the neighbour the other side also fitted the Dik Guerts Ivar 5. So three in a row! No stopping word of mouth now - the owners of the village hotel & pub (Marazion Hotel, Cornwall) visited and were also impressed - they removed their recently installed inset stove (not enough heat) and fitted an Ivar 5, followed swiftly by an 8kW version in the adjoining Cutty Sark Restaurant. They are now happy as hotel owners in a hotel.
The Dik Guerts Ivar 5 is a modern, premium steel stove with a humongous viewing glass and firebox. For those desiring a modern appliance that can pump out 3-7.5kW if required, we recommend the Ivar 5. We like the name as well. Ivar is Nordic and sounds cool. Perhaps if I have a kid, I'll call it Ivar. What? I've left it too late? I'm only 54. Okay, a dog then.