WhatStove?

Review of Stovax Riva 55 stove

Great so far

Leigh 12 years ago

We just had this stove (our first) professionally fitted three days ago after deliberating for a while over what to buy as we have a very narrow chimney breast and although making it wider was a possibility it would have looked too imposing in our living room. Everything was exceptionally well packaged and the instructions were in the main clear and concise (I've asked Stovax for further advice on keeping it in overnight as the bit about refuelling isn't very clear)

The installer advised that it is very easy to scratch the paint (we have the black model) around the door handle and its very common to see them scratched. I can see how this would be the case and while it is easy to get the handle in and out of the hole, if you were a bit over zealous then I can see the paint scratching quite easily, so I've taken a few points off for this, one for the handle and one for the paint being quite so easy to scratch.

We were advised to leave it 24 hours before we light it following the smoke test so sat there lovingly staring at the fire wishing the next 24 hours would pass so we could light it. 24 hours passed and the moment arrived, the instructions say to set the primary air to 25% open, but the installer said 50% open, one of the other reviews on here said 75% so we went with 50%. We then set the airwash to 100% and lit the fire first time with no problems at all. As expected the smell from the paint on the first burn was quite strong so we opened a window, we were told this would last approximately the first 10 hours of use, but I'm glad to report it was much less than this, around 5/6 hours.

We went for this model over the smaller one purely based on the size of the rooms we have to heat (open plan - 120m3) Lit the fire at around 5pm and by 6.30 the central heating had switched off and didn't come back on again that evening (thermostat located in the hall some distance away) Once the fire was up to operating temperature (around 1 to 1.5 hours after lighting) it was really kicking out some heat! and we sat snugly for the rest of the evening enjoying the 'flame show'

One minor comment would be that it would be nice if the firebox was fractionally deeper but I understand that the fire is designed to fit a standard UK opening so perhaps this is the reason the design is as it is? although even our small chimney breast had approximately 4" to the rear of the stove once fitted)

So far we are very happy, especially at the amount of heat generated, so much in fact that my wife took her jumper off! time will tell how the paint around the handle fairs but I'm sure with a bit of care and attention things will be fine.

Will update this review as we use the fire.

Stove expert replied: Informative information of the installation, operation of this stove. Great!

Overall rating:

4 flames

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