Scan 85: A Tall, Elegant Cylinder of Fire

The Scan 85 woodburner combines Scandinavian style with an 8 kW output, horizontal sliding glass door, and cylindrical firebox. Explore its unique design, variants, and the pros and cons of ownership.

March 26, 2015
By Reece Toscani
Leave a Comment

Stove Spotlights

Scandinavian Design Woodburner

When it comes to Scandinavian woodburner design, Scan has always been a name that carries weight. Their approach blends minimalism, function, and architectural presence, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the Scan 85 woodburner. This is not a modest stove that hides in the corner. It’s a towering, cylindrical statement piece that commands attention in any living space.

At first glance, the Scan 85 impresses with its sheer scale. Standing at nearly one and a half metres tall, with its beautifully curved firebox and vast expanse of glass, it immediately sets itself apart from the more conventional square or rectangular stoves on the market. But as with all good design, it’s in the details where the Scan 85 really shines – and sometimes where the compromises reveal themselves too.

In this spotlight, we’ll dig into the Scan 85’s design, performance, quirks, and where it sits in the wider Scan lineup.

Design and First Impressions

The Scan 85 is unmistakably Scandinavian in design – tall, sleek, and uncompromisingly modern. Its round body houses a cylindrical firebox lined with shaped firebricks that create a continuous curve around the flames. The result is a fire view that feels more organic and sculptural than you get from flat or angled firebricks.

The large glass door dominates the front, offering a panoramic view of the fire. Unlike most stoves where the door swings outward, the Scan 85 employs a horizontal sliding mechanism. The curved glass door rolls smoothly around the body of the stove, tucking neatly to the side. It’s elegant, practical in tighter spaces, and an absolute joy to operate.

One of the most satisfying details is the door handle. Flush with the body when not in use, it pops out with a click, providing a solid grip for operation, and then tucks back in again to preserve the clean lines of the stove. It’s a small design flourish, but it makes a big difference in everyday usability.

And then there’s the ashpan. Too often this is an afterthought in stove design, but the Scan 85’s ash drawer locks in place with a neat twisting mechanism. It feels secure, avoids rattles, and shows that the designers thought about every stage of the user experience.

Build and Operation

Operating the Scan 85 is a tactile experience. The sliding glass door glides around the stove’s curve with a reassuring precision that makes it a joy to use. The firebox, thanks to its cylindrical layout, creates a natural vortex effect, encouraging flames to dance around in a way that looks more dynamic than in many box-shaped stoves.

That said, the very features that make the Scan 85 so striking also bring potential downsides. The sliding door mechanism, while delightful to use, is mechanically more complex than a standard hinged door. If it ever fails outside of warranty, replacement could prove costly. Likewise, the curved firebricks create a seamless look but are trickier and more expensive to replace compared to simple cut bricks. It’s a trade-off: design purity and visual impact at the expense of long-term maintenance costs.

This isn’t necessarily a criticism – more a recognition that the Scan 85 sits firmly in the “designer stove” category. Owners are choosing it not just for heat, but for the sculptural presence and elevated user experience.

Looking for a contemporary modern woodburner?
Take a look at the full range available now on Redefining Woodburners

Performance and Heating Capability

The Scan 85 is rated at a nominal output of 8 kW, with a typical operating range between 3–10 kW. That makes it well-suited to medium and larger living spaces.

With an efficiency of 78%, it easily meets EcoDesign 2022 requirements, ensuring clean combustion and lower emissions when used with properly seasoned wood.

Thanks to its height and large firebox, the Scan 85 offers excellent radiant and convection heating. It’s not just about the immediate warmth; the High Top version can also be fitted with heat storage stones, which absorb heat during the burn and release it slowly after the fire dies down. For anyone wanting a softer, more sustained warmth, this option is worth serious consideration.

The cylindrical firebox takes generous log sizes, and the tall format means you can stack them vertically as well as horizontally. Combined with Scan’s cleanburn technology, it delivers a steady, efficient burn with those classic tall Scandinavian flames.

Pros and Cons of the Scan 85

Pros

Striking Scandinavian design with a tall, commanding presence.
Sliding curved door rolls horizontally around the stove – premium and space-saving.
Handle pops out and clicks back into place, keeping the design clean.
Ashpan with locking twist mechanism – more secure and user-friendly.
Cylindrical firebox with curved firebricks for a seamless look and dynamic flame pattern.
EcoDesign compliant with high efficiency and clean combustion.
Heat storage option available for prolonged warmth.

Cons

Complex sliding mechanism may be expensive to repair if it fails.
Curved firebricks cost more to replace compared to standard cut bricks.
Premium price point – this is an investment piece, not a budget stove.
Tall format makes it better suited to modern, larger rooms – may overwhelm smaller, traditional spaces.

The Scan 85 Variants Explained

Scan offers the 85 in several configurations, each balancing design and detail in different ways.

Scan 85-1: Standard height (approx. 1464 mm) with black trims and handles. Sleek and understated, available in black, grey, or pure white finishes.
Scan 85-2: Same dimensions as the 85-1 but with aluminium trims and handles, giving a brighter, more contrasting look.
Scan 85-3: The “Maxi” version. Taller at around 1864 mm, ideal for open-plan rooms or installations where more vertical presence is desired.
Scan 85-4: The Maxi height with aluminium trims, combining the grand scale of the 85-3 with the brighter detailing of the 85-2.

Beyond these four, Scan also offers High Top and High Base options across the lineup, with the possibility of fitting heat-storage stones for improved heat retention.

Colour choices vary by retailer but generally include black, grey, and pure white, with occasional limited finishes like metallic brown or glossy red available.

Where It Fits in the Scan Family

The Scan 85 sits squarely in the middle of a family of related models:

Scan 83 – More compact but still cylindrical, perfect for those who love the design language but need something smaller.
Scan 85 – The balance point, combining size, performance, and dramatic presence.
Scan 87 – The big brother, taller and broader again, designed for the largest and most open spaces.

Together, they give homeowners the ability to choose the right scale of stove without losing the distinctive Scan aesthetic.

Specifications (Scan 85):

Nominal Output: 8 kW
Output Range: 3–10 kW
Efficiency: 78%
EcoDesign 2022 Compliant: Yes
Flue Outlet: 150 mm (top/rear)
Dimensions:
Height: ~1464 mm (standard) / ~1864 mm (Maxi)
Width: ~520 mm
Depth: ~520 mm
Weight: 190–220 kg depending on configuration
Fuel: Wood only
Options: Heat storage module, rotating base (on some versions), multiple colours and trims

Verdict

The Scan 85 isn’t a stove for everyone – but that’s precisely its appeal. It’s not trying to be a universal crowd-pleaser. Instead, it’s designed to be a showpiece stove, something that becomes a focal point of the room as much as a functional heat source.

For those who value design and are willing to invest in a stove that offers a unique user experience – from the horizontally sliding glass door to the sculptural firebox – the Scan 85 delivers. Just be aware that some of its most delightful features, like the curved firebricks and precision sliding system, also carry higher maintenance costs down the line.

In the end, the Scan 85 stands as one of the most striking examples of Scandinavian stove design on the market. For anyone with the space, the budget, and the appetite for a stove that combines form and function in equal measure, it’s a worthy contender.

Thinking of investing in a Scan stove? Take a look at our stove spotlight archive for comparisons with models like the Stûv 30, Austroflamm Clou Xtra, and Skantherm Elements. Or, if you’re weighing up the right size, explore our upcoming reviews of the Scan 83 and Scan 87.

See related stories to this one:

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.