The Stovax Midi was not the cheapest multifuel stove we looked at but as we like the design we still decide to go for it. We had to wait about 2 months for delivery but are very pleased with
it.
We took a little bit of time getting used to operate the air control, but the heat output is really good. We use wood or Brazier coal. The glass view is a large area and easy to clean. When cleaning the only thing to be careful with is the door seal. We are very happy with our choice.
Wish I spoke to my installer before buying this stove. Have real problems with the smoke coming out every time I open the stove to refuel. Had a draw test which was good, but for some reason
I always have smoke coming out into the room when the door opens. So I have to refuel quick before too much comes out. Looking at the design there's very small holes for the smoke to go through which maybe is the issue. It does heat up well though and looks good!
I have the Vogue Small with the heat shield kit on the back to reduce the clearance needed to the studwork wall. The stove is fixed on a Riva bench by Stovax and looks very smart. I like the
large glass - and the styling reminds me of the screen of a nineties TV.
Like other reviewers, I have had a lot of trouble with smoke spillage when refuelling over the three years I have had the stove. The smoke spillage has been a distressing issue for me and I have used the stove less because of it.
My chimney sweep did smoke tests without the baffle plate - excellent draw, with door closed and open - and with the baffle plate - ok draw but smoke spilling when the door was opened. So I suspect there’s something about the design of the baffle plate, or maybe the combination with my chimney.
The air control is a pull/push slider that I find difficult to judge the setting, compared to a side-to-side slider.
The firebox is a good width but shallow front to back. It is a Small stove, after all. The front of the grate area seems designed to spill ash when you open the door: there’s a sloped edge toward the front and a gap to the log bars.
When I get the stove going, it heats up quite quickly and can gradually warm our open-plan room very nicely over an hour or two. I find the stove draws very well with the door shut so it can gobble wood, which makes the smoke spillage while reloading even more frustrating.
Overall, it looks good but I regret buying it because of the smoke spillage issues.
Brought stovax vogue small. Lovly looking in room but very smokey when you open to refuel.
Stove expert replied:
Newer stoves are fairly air tight into the combustion chamber, it is recommended do crack the door open just a little bit for a few seconds before opening fully.
Had this stove for 2 years now, and generally pretty happy. This is an attractive and seemingly well made stove. There are a limited number of attractive stoves that fit in small openings like
this one. We wanted this one because the glass gives a good view of the fire. My main criticism is that smoke does come in the room when loading. We do have a good draw on the chimney. The smoke into the room can be minimised by opening the door a crack for a few seconds before opening fully, however I believe there is a design flaw. The exit from the chamber is at the front of the top, and there could be an extra piece of metal, a baffle, just behind the door that directs the smoke up the flue, rather than into the room.
