WhatStove?

Review of Stovax Riva 55 stove

Problems with stove

7 years ago

Hi we are having few problems with this stove

1st: BLACKENING OF GLASS

Everytime we burn logs glass gets black... very annoying as they you can enjoy fire estetical reason

2nd: PLASTER CRACKED (bricks been plaster over pink plasterboards)

Plaster cracked even we let it cured for 3 weeks

But it cracked very badly straight above fireplace and also there are hairline cracks in strange lines accross whole wall (up to 150cm from floor) ...1 is horizontal long across whole width of wall (180cm) and other 2 are vertical 50cm long from top of fireplace up to that horizontal line around that metal cream box....why is that please

3rd: STONE SURROUND INSIDE FIREPLACE (where we put logs to burn) CRACKED

Please see photos....why is that and does it need replacing...what danger can this cause if left cracked?

4rd: SMOKE COMING INTO ROOM

Lots of smoke coming into room when fire is already hot and i put more logs in

5th: BLACK PLASTER above fireplace

there is black plaster around fireplace which we cant even wash off...so i think as we want to put stone tiles i would need opt only for dark stone as it would be badly looking when cream slate will go black from fireplace

Please try answer me these questions

I would send you photos if i can on email if you can let me know your email pls

Fireplace is now 2 years old

Been installed by HETAS installer

Chimney is swept every 6months

Thank you

Stove expert replied: I suspect the installation may be at fault with so much cracking around the opening being evident. Was the stove installed with insulation around it, did the installer use fireproof boarding, rendering and plaster or just standard materials? If smoke comes back into the room, when opening the door, the flue draw would appear to be poor, has this been checked, was the chimney lined? Is there an airbrick in the room. Is the fuel dry and seasoned with a moisture content of less than 20%. Might not be the stove at fault and further investigation recommended.

Overall rating:

3 flames

Build Quality 3 flames (avg 3.7)
Quality of finish 2 flames (avg 4)
Value for money 3 flames (avg 3.2)
Ease of use 4 flames (avg 3.9)
Ease of lighting 4 flames (avg 3.8)
Firebox size 3 flames (avg 4)
How well does the airwash work 3 flames (avg 3.6)
Controllability 4 flames (avg 3.7)
Handle operation 2 flames (avg 3.5)
How likely are you to buy it again? 3 flames (avg 2.9)
What is your overall satisfaction? 3 flames (avg 3.3)