Invicta Ove: Style, Heat and French Craftsmanship

The Invicta Ove is a bold cast-iron woodburner with 10kW output, iconic oval design, and striking flame view—where performance meets contemporary French style.

March 20, 2014
By Reece Toscani
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Stove Spotlights

A Stove That Stands Apart

Among the many woodburners on the market, few capture the imagination quite like the Invicta Ove. Designed and built in France by Invicta, the Ove is instantly recognisable for its elongated oval shape, sweeping glass window, and sculptural presence in any living space. More than a stove, it is a statement piece that blurs the line between heating appliance and modern furniture.

The Ove is one of the most striking models available. At a time when many woodburners are still defined by their black-box silhouettes, Invicta dares to push design boundaries while staying true to its cast-iron heritage. The result is a stove that not only produces plenty of heat, but also anchors itself as a centrepiece in contemporary interiors.

Design & Aesthetic Impact

The first thing anyone notices about the Ove is its shape. Unlike square or rectangular stoves, the Ove’s pod-like form rises to over 1.3 m, making it tall, narrow, and elegant. The cast-iron body is crafted with a smooth curvature, and the large oval viewing window gives an uninterrupted view of the flames. The effect is almost cinematic—the fire is not just something you light for warmth, it is something you watch and admire.

The Ove is available in a cast-iron finish, with enamel variations sometimes offered depending on the market. Its proportions are deliberately bold, designed to stand confidently in open-plan living rooms or modern architectural spaces where aesthetics matter as much as performance. Many owners choose the Ove specifically for its ability to act as a conversation starter, a piece of design furniture that happens to burn logs.

This focus on form is not superficial. Invicta understands that woodburners are increasingly chosen for their decorative as well as practical qualities. The Ove therefore embodies both: the reassurance of heavy cast-iron construction paired with a visual presence that redefines what a stove can look like in the home.

Heating Performance & Practical Use

Behind the design flair lies a serious woodburning stove. The Invicta Ove delivers a nominal output of 10 kW, placing it firmly in the medium-to-large room category. Capable of heating spaces between 100 – 160 m², it is well-suited to open-plan living areas, barn conversions, or high-ceilinged modern homes where smaller 5 kW stoves would struggle.

Efficiency stands at around 76 %, ensuring that the majority of the wood’s energy is transferred into useful heat. The Ove features Invicta’s post-combustion system, introducing secondary air to burn off gases and particulates for a cleaner flame. Combined with an air-wash system, the design also works to keep the viewing glass clearer, though some owners note that regular cleaning is still required for the best experience.

One of the Ove’s strengths is its ability to take logs up to 50 cm in length, a real bonus compared to many stoves that limit users to shorter firewood. For households cutting their own logs, this means less chopping and more convenience. The controls themselves are functional, though by comparison with some Scandinavian models they can feel a little less refined. Still, once lit and running, the Ove is more than capable of producing a steady, radiant heat output.

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Technical Specifications at a Glance

The Invicta Ove is a flagship contemporary stove, and its specifications reflect both ambition and practicality:

Heat Output (Nominal): 10 kW
Efficiency: ~76 %
Construction: Heavy cast iron body
Dimensions: H 1310 mm × W 550 mm × D 550 mm
Weight: ~194 kg
Maximum Log Length: 500 mm
Flue Outlet: Top exit, 175 mm (approx. 6″)
Technology: Post-combustion secondary burn system, clean-glass (air-wash) system
Heating Capacity: Suitable for spaces 100–160 m²

It is not DEFRA-approved for smoke control zones in the UK, but remains a popular choice in rural areas where restrictions are less strict.

Real-World Feedback & Market Context

User experiences highlight the dual nature of the Ove: an undeniably beautiful stove that also performs well in daily use. Many reviews praise its powerful heat output and large log capacity, while the sheer presence of the design is a constant talking point among visitors. Owners frequently describe the Ove as something that transforms the atmosphere of a room, even when unlit.

There are, however, some practical notes. The airwash system, while effective, benefits from regular attention to keep the large curved glass spotless. The control levers are considered functional but not as smooth as those found on higher-end Scandinavian stoves. For most owners, these are small trade-offs for the aesthetics and heating power provided.

In the wider stove market, the Ove represents a turning point for Invicta. The French brand, with its origins in cast-iron manufacturing dating back to 1924, has made a deliberate push into bold contemporary design. The Ove embodies this ambition perfectly: French design flair, robust engineering, and a product that sets itself apart from the ordinary.

A True Design Icon

The Invicta Ove is more than just another addition to the woodburner market. It stands as a piece of design innovation, a bold statement of how form and function merge to create something memorable. Its tall, oval body and generous glass window elevate the experience of fire into something theatrical, while its 10 kW performance ensures it is not all style with no substance.

Even as new models and regulations continue to reshape the stove landscape, the Ove remains a defining moment in Invicta’s catalogue—a stove that shifts consumer expectations of what a woodburner can be. For homeowners, it offers the chance to own a stove that is as much art as it is heating appliance.

About This Spotlight

This Stove Spotlight was originally published on the Fireplace Products blog back in 2014. 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.

Have you ever experienced the Invicta Ove woodburner, or do you still have one in your home today? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear your experiences with this design-forward French 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.