Jotul F520: The Scandinavian Stove with 180° Fire Views

With 7kW output and over 77% efficiency, the Jøtul F520 combines powerful heating, clean-burn technology, and panoramic flame views for performance and atmosphere in one.

October 27, 2016
By Reece Toscani
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Stove Spotlights

Jøtul Heritage & Design Philosophy

Jøtul is a name that carries real weight in the stove world. With a history stretching back to 1853 in Norway, the company has long been celebrated for its commitment to craftsmanship, cast-iron strength, and timeless style. The F520 is a perfect expression of this heritage, blending durability with a clean, modern look that reflects contemporary living. Scandinavian design often focuses on simplicity and function, and the F520 embodies that philosophy: no unnecessary clutter, just bold lines and glass that lets the fire do all the talking.

When a stove can stop you in your tracks before you’ve even lit it, you know you’re looking at something special. The Jøtul F520 is one of those rare woodburners that manages to combine cutting-edge Scandinavian design with the warmth and familiarity of a traditional fire. With its striking panoramic glass panels, this stove isn’t just a source of heat — it’s a centrepiece that brings the flame to life from every angle.

Panoramic Flame Picture

The defining feature of the Jøtul F520 is its panoramic fire view. Unlike many stoves that only show flames through the front, this model has three large glass panels — one at the front and one on each side — creating a 180-degree flame picture. It means that whether you’re seated directly in front of it, off to one side, or across the room, you can enjoy the same rich view of the fire.

Jøtul has gone further than simply adding glass, though. The side panels are treated with a double-layered coating and backed up by a powerful airwash system, designed to keep soot to a minimum and maintain a clear view even after hours of burning. For anyone who sees a wood stove as much about atmosphere as warmth, this feature is a real game-changer.

Heat Output & Efficiency

A beautiful flame picture is one thing, but performance is what makes a stove worth owning. The Jøtul F520 delivers a nominal heat output of around 7kW, making it perfectly suited to medium to larger living spaces. Whether you’re heating a large lounge, an open-plan kitchen-diner, or even a snug with high ceilings, the F520 has the power to keep things cosy.

With an efficiency rating upwards of 77%, the stove ensures that the majority of the heat generated goes directly into the room rather than up the chimney. That translates to lower fuel consumption, more warmth, and a reduced environmental footprint. Jøtul’s clean-burn technology plays a big role here, with secondary combustion that burns off more of the gases and particulates produced by the fire. The result is not just cleaner glass and lower emissions, but also better value for every log you burn.

Everyday Practical Features

Beyond its looks and efficiency, the F520 has been designed for real-world convenience. Operation is kept simple thanks to a single air control lever, so adjusting the burn rate feels intuitive and quick. An integrated ash pan system makes cleaning easy, and because the firebox is generously sized, it can take logs up to 50cm in length. That means fewer trips to the log pile and longer burn times between refuelling.

For those in newer, well-insulated homes, the stove can also be installed with an external air supply kit. This draws combustion air directly from outside rather than the room itself, helping to maintain indoor air quality and ensuring the stove runs efficiently in airtight spaces. It’s a small but thoughtful touch that reflects Jøtul’s forward-looking design.

Materials & Build Quality

At the heart of the F520 is Jøtul’s trademark commitment to solid construction. The stove features a cast iron door, giving reassuring weight and durability, while the rest of the body is crafted from high-grade steel. This combination means you get the best of both worlds: the strength and longevity of cast iron, paired with the fast heat transfer of steel.

Jøtul backs its craftsmanship with one of the most respected warranties in the industry, offering peace of mind that this is a stove built not just for today but for decades of use.

Styling & Aesthetic Options

The F520 has been designed to impress. Its tall, upright format positions the firebox at eye level when you’re seated, ensuring you get the best possible view of the flames. Finished in a deep, sleek black paint, the stove has the versatility to blend into both modern interiors and more traditional homes.

Practical accessories, such as a tailored floor plate or external air kit, allow for a seamless installation that complements the look of the stove. Minimalist handles and clean door lines complete the aesthetic, keeping the design as pure as possible.

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Lifestyle Appeal

A stove is more than just a heater — it becomes part of the rhythm of your home. With the Jøtul F520, that role is elevated. Imagine family evenings gathered around a fire that you can see from every seat in the room, or entertaining friends where the flames provide an ever-changing backdrop. The panoramic view gives the impression of a much larger fire than most stoves offer, filling the room with light and movement even before the warmth takes hold.

This is a stove that doesn’t just deliver comfort; it creates an atmosphere. For many homeowners, that lifestyle benefit is as valuable as the technical features.

Market Position & Comparisons

Within Jøtul’s range, the F520 sits firmly as a premium, design-led model. While the F305 and F373 focus on compact footprints and sculptural shapes, the F520 offers scale and presence with a commanding flame view. Compared to rivals such as the Scan 66 or Morso’s contemporary S series, the Jøtul F520 offers a more robust, upright style that feels substantial without being bulky.

It occupies a sweet spot for buyers who want modern Scandinavian design, but with the practical reassurance of Jøtul’s traditional cast-iron expertise.

Who Should Buy the F520?

The Jøtul F520 is aimed squarely at homeowners who see their stove as both a source of heat and a central piece of interior design. If you have a medium to large living space, value long-term durability, and want a fire that looks as good as it performs, the F520 makes a compelling case.

It’s also a smart choice for those renovating or designing with open-plan layouts, where the panoramic view can be enjoyed from multiple areas of the room. If your priority is to make the fire the heart of your home, this stove delivers in spades.

Installation Considerations

Measuring in at H 1000mm, W 594mm, and D 532mm, the Jøtul F520 has a presence without dominating the room. Its design makes it equally at home against a flat wall, in a corner installation, or as a striking feature in the middle of an open space. The flue outlet is top-mounted, maintaining the stove’s clean lines and ensuring straightforward chimney connection.

Clearances are modest thanks to the convection sides, allowing for more flexible placement in modern homes. For urban buyers, the fact that the F520 is DEFRA exempt means it can be legally installed in smoke control areas, widening its appeal.

The Jøtul F520 is more than just a woodburner — it’s a statement. With its sweeping glass panels, impressive flame picture, efficient performance, and robust build, it stands out as one of the most exciting stoves on the market today. It proves that practicality and artistry can exist in the same package, offering both warmth and a genuine design feature for your home.

In short: if you’re looking for a stove that delivers both lifestyle appeal and lasting quality, the F520 deserves a place at the top of your list.

About This Spotlight

This Stove Spotlight was originally published on the Fireplace Products blog back in 2016. As part of our acquisition of the Fireplace Products YouTube Channel, we also gained access to these historic posts, which were written by myself and my team. To preserve the archive and maintain continuity with the videos, we’ve re-formatted and re-uploaded them here using their original post dates.

If you’d like to explore our latest reviews and features, you can find all of our most recent Stove Spotlights here.

Do you think a 7kW panoramic stove like the Jøtul F520 would suit your home’s heating needs? Share your thoughts below — your experience could help others choosing their next stove.

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Old Woodburners

Reece Toscani

Reece has over two decades in the fireplace and stove world — testing, reviewing, and occasionally getting covered in soot, all in the name of wood-fired home heating. He cuts through the nonsense, busts the myths, and shares straight-talking advice to help you enjoy your stove without the confusion. From Fireplace Products to Redefining Woodburners, if it burns wood, he’s probably tested it, fixed it, or argued about it. Now, through Woodburner Insights, he shares that experience with the world — both here and on YouTube.