WhatStove?

Review of Stovax Riva 55 stove

Highly recommended unit

Frank Finnerty 11 years ago

The unit itself is beautiful. It took me sometime to get the knack for using it. Our chimney was over drawing and once we corrected that the unit has excelled. The airwash works excellently and the cleanburn is top class. I feel the unit is quite expensive but as it is, the unit is brilliant. The top baffle, I have seen mentioned as an issue, is not for us. Our supplier indicated to us upon installation that the primary air control should only be opened for lighting the cassette when burning wood. He explained that the baffle will sag if the air underneath is on at high temperature blasting flame on to the baffle. It need not be on once lit. the convection system is truly what makes it every bit as good as a normal stove. We don't have that large a room so the fan was not needed and the ducting though would have been useful we didn't opt for. I would get on again.

Stove expert replied: Sounds like a good stove which is performing well.

Overall rating:

4.5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 3.7)
Quality of finish 5 flames (avg 4)
Value for money 4 flames (avg 3.2)
Ease of use 4 flames (avg 3.9)
Ease of lighting 3 flames (avg 3.8)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 3.6)
Controllability 4 flames (avg 3.7)
Handle operation 3 flames (avg 3.5)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 2.9)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 3.3)