Stovax Riva 55 Inset Stove

AMO

Hi all,

We're looking to replace our current gas fire with a multi-fuel stove that fits elegantly into the fireplace and looks modern.

We're currently looking at the Stovax Riva 55 Inset Stove.

Reviews seem pretty good:
http://www.whatstove.co.uk/stovax-riva-55-stove-reviews

As we live in a Smoke Control Zone, it seems we need to get the air control kit:
http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/smoke-control-areas-clean-air-act.html
The Stovax Riva 40, 55, 66 inset These stoves need an air control kit fitted in order to qualify for approval. The kit is inexpensive, costing between £22 and £49, and simple to fit.

What I'd like to ask is:

1) What other alternative brands offer stoves that fit our requirements and look like similar to the Riva 55 that people would recommend?

2) From reading reviews, Stovax stoves seem to be in the mid-tier range (i.e. not top tier like Clearview, Charnwood, Woodwarm, etc). However, are most people happy with this brand?

Is there any gotchas we need to know about this stove. We are likely to be burning smokeless coal unless treated wood becomes significantly cheaper. Just basically want to, on very cold days where the central heating in our old house doesn't really make the place feel warm to have something that can really pump out heat in our large living room.

Our main concern is making sure that it is done right as there is the odd complaint about Stovax stoves where chimneys are going black, brickwork needs replacing, parts need replacing and replacements being expensive.

One thing I can't find very much information on is about lining the chimney - the best/recommended materials to consider (I don't know when comparing quotes, different traders will use different materials of different quality or whether it all comes from Stovax and is the same?)

Also, the additional add-ons of fan-assisted convection and ducting to another room. The fan-assisted convection seems like a largely positive add-on worth the expense.

The ducting to another room seems fairly limited. I assume I can't get it to go up the existing chimney and pipe into the master bedroom above?

Also, do I need to purchase a cowl separately and if so, where do I go to get a good one?

Finally, from what I can tell, this unit is about £1300 and currently has a £200 off voucher. How much am I likely to be looking at for installation (aside from the ducting) including lining and cowl.

Thanks!

[Deleted User]

How far have you got, meaning have you removed the old fire if there is one and either checked yourself or had a professional to see if it would actually fit? Does it line up with the chimney etc?

We looked into one those stoves a while back for a traditional old house and it was complete no go. Installers said the house [in some cases] had to be designed around built in stoves.

You can get solid fuel cowls of ebay etc for £20 or so and are easy to fit.

We have free standing Stovax and Charnwood Stoves, which is better, who knows... both are very good. That said the Stovax is on a twin-wall flue and the Charnwood goes up an unlined chimney.

muckybutt

You need to look at lining the chimney as well if there has been a gas fire in there it will most likely have a gas liner in, this type of liner is not compatible with solid fuel and will need replacing.

jaybeetoo

We had one of these stoves installed about a year ago. We just burn Eco logs so I can't comment on coal. It is very warm and controllable. We have a marble surround which is still warm in the morning. It acts like a radiator and kept the chill off the house all winter. We wish we'd installed one years ago.

It replaced a coal effect gas fire where most of the heat went up the chimney.

rustyboy21

You stil haven't answered the question, from your other thread, of is your fireplace up to being able to take the Riva? By the looks of the picture, I would say no. So you will also have to Factor in a replacement fireplace too.