WhatStove?

Review of Stovax Riva 66 Avanti stove

Stovax Riva 66

S Bridgeman 15 years ago

We installed the Riva 66 approx 2 years ago. It has not come up to our expectations at all. The heat output is not as high as we were told, the fan is noisy and can be irritating if you are not used to it. it has been extremely temperemental when lighting - sometimes a good fire sometimes not. Recently we have experienced smoke coming from the fire when we first light it with dry kindling, to the point where we had to fling windows and doors open. The after sales service from our supplier is non-existent. We originally were going to opt for a Jetmaster open fire, and now realise we should have gone with our gut feeling. The Riva was a lot of money to spend on something that does not come up to expectations. I would not recommend it.

What

Stove expert replied: This sounds like a classic chimney problem rather than a problem with the stove. Any stove will smoke if the chimney does not draw correctly. As to the heat output I will not comment other than to say that stove heat outputs are tested in the laboratory but it is always best to ask your retailer their expert opinion when choosing a stove as of course a laboratory result is one thing and knowing how the stove performs day to day quite another. Choose a retailer with excellent customer service to start with rather than just thinking about price and you stand a better chance of getting the best advice in the first place and thereby saving time and money in the long run.

Overall rating:

2.5 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 4.2)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 3.8)
Value for money 2 flames (avg 4.1)
Ease of use 2 flames (avg 3.9)
Ease of lighting 2 flames (avg 3.9)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.7)
How well does the airwash work 3 flames (avg 4.2)
Controllability 1 flames (avg 3.6)
Handle operation 4 flames (avg 4.7)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 3.6)
What is your overall satisfaction? 1 flames (avg 3.4)