Dimplex Tango Optiflame Electric Stove, Matt Black Free Standing Electric Fireplace with Coal Fuel Bed, LED Flame Effect, Adjustable Fan Heater, Thermostat and Remote Control

I'm so pleased with this stove heater ! It was really easy to set up - just five minutes from pulling it out of the box - and looks great. The LED real flame effect is excellent, and you can add lumps of the supplied coal to cover as much of the "glow" as you fancy. In fact, it's hard not to feel warmer with just the flame effect alone. The LED is also totally silent, whereas the heater does make a bit of a hum when it's running, but I didn't find it obtrusive; and it pumps out surprising quantities of heat, even at the 1kw setting. The remote control is very basic, and seems to do no more than switch the appliance on or off, but it's better than nothing, and to turn on the heater you need to operate the switch manually (but it can be turned off with the remote). My only gripe is the short length of the power cable (1.5m, I think); I have the stove in the fireplace, and the lead only just reaches the nearest socket.

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.

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.

Admittedly, the fire is a recent acquisition so I cannot reliably review the heat output. The instructions for use are a joke and are utterly pathetic for a large company. The company has interests in China so they should learn from them. The remote is a flimsy affair which doesn't work for me (and I'm not bothered). The flame effect is excellent. The leaflet showing an insurance scheme is far better than Dimplex's pathetic offering.If Dimplex have a Marketing department then they should be fired. The fire looks good and the flame effect is so good it seems to warm the room by its very effect.Update: The remote DOES work but you have to be so close that it is worthless as a 'remote' control.