How reliable are Rayburns?
Discussion
We are thinking of changing our oil fired boiler for a Rayburn (480K) as it will go straight in where the flu is currently sited and mean no new pipework. We will only use for cooking occasionally as we are keeping our existing cooker/oven.
Thing is I've had a look on the "Period Property" website and most people haven't a good word to say for their reliability, anyone here had any bad experiences?
Bear in mind we are hoping to get e secondhand one, at present they are around 2K on eBay and 3.5K reconditioned.
Cheers
Nick
Thing is I've had a look on the "Period Property" website and most people haven't a good word to say for their reliability, anyone here had any bad experiences?
Bear in mind we are hoping to get e secondhand one, at present they are around 2K on eBay and 3.5K reconditioned.
Cheers
Nick
From my own experience of solid fuel and oil fired Rayburns, I'd say go for it !
The problem with all these type of old fashioned ranges is they are exactly what they appear, old fashioned in technology and are not ultra ultra reliable or efficient in the same way as , say, a gas cooker.
Needs servicing every year, by someone who really knows how to set them up right, and take a fair bit of getting used to if you've never run one before.
I tend to think that Aga did a great job of persuading everybody that Aga's are the mutts, and Rayburns are a bit, well, downmarket. Now that Aga own Rayburn, we'll see how they cope with that particular marketing angle...
Seems to me that Rayburns, Aga's etc are all much the same in efficiency terms, just that Aga owners don't think they are supposed to whinge when they go wrong IMHO ( don's flame suit )
The problem with all these type of old fashioned ranges is they are exactly what they appear, old fashioned in technology and are not ultra ultra reliable or efficient in the same way as , say, a gas cooker.
Needs servicing every year, by someone who really knows how to set them up right, and take a fair bit of getting used to if you've never run one before.
I tend to think that Aga did a great job of persuading everybody that Aga's are the mutts, and Rayburns are a bit, well, downmarket. Now that Aga own Rayburn, we'll see how they cope with that particular marketing angle...
Seems to me that Rayburns, Aga's etc are all much the same in efficiency terms, just that Aga owners don't think they are supposed to whinge when they go wrong IMHO ( don's flame suit )
The fabulous hype surrounding the inefficient AGA and how it cooks so "marvellously,Dahling" "and it keeps the house SOOO warm" has been really successful in prolonging the life of the AGA and it's Rayburn sibling. As a bloody great chunk of cast iron it works well with slow burning fuels. Solid fuels and the old wallflame oil burners (identified by the foat valve sited alongside the appliance) do cook well, but aren't very good for efficient heating controlability. Modern Agas use Gas burners which give bursts of heat and I've a feeling the oil versions are pressure jets now which are many times more efficient in input/output terms, but don't really lend themselves to the original Aga design ethos.
IMO obviously
IMO obviously
I love these big old cast iron dinosaurs, would really like one in our kitchen, but its just a small house on a newish estate. It would be daft.
Didnt realise they did the heating and water too though, if i'd known that I would have had a look at one when we replaced the CH last year.
Didnt realise they did the heating and water too though, if i'd known that I would have had a look at one when we replaced the CH last year.
My neighbour had a solid fuel one then a few years ago changed it for an oil fired one that runs her central heating.
The only problem can be if the wind comes from the west, the Rayburn struggles to get hot for some reason, and the solid fuel one was the same.
Hopefully when we convert the barn this year we're getting an electric Aga, because they are more economical than gas, and I don't want a solid fuel one, they are hard work, and coal isn't cheap.
The only problem can be if the wind comes from the west, the Rayburn struggles to get hot for some reason, and the solid fuel one was the same.
Hopefully when we convert the barn this year we're getting an electric Aga, because they are more economical than gas, and I don't want a solid fuel one, they are hard work, and coal isn't cheap.
Pigeon said:
we're getting an electric Aga, because they are more economical than gas
You sure? Electric heating appliance more economical than gas? Do you have your own hydro plant?
Sorry I should have stated LPG, there is no mains gas to the barn. Also electric Aga's only need servicing every 5 years.
Rayburn's were always regarded as the 'underdog' to AGA's and with good reason.
Solid fuel Rayburn's were installed not only because of price BUT they will burn ANYTHING even animal bones, rags etc.
Very useful in rural locations for tenant workers and cheap to fuel. Reliability second to none.
Aga's where placed in the larger kitchens but required coke.
Solid fuel Rayburn's were installed not only because of price BUT they will burn ANYTHING even animal bones, rags etc.
Very useful in rural locations for tenant workers and cheap to fuel. Reliability second to none.
Aga's where placed in the larger kitchens but required coke.
Chose a Rayburn over an AGA as it provides for heating to 13 large cast iron victorian rads, hot water throughout the house and of course that "unique cooking experience"!
Purchased new 7 years - model number 499G-MX is to be avoided!... it was not fully developed, being too complex for its own good IMHO.
It has required much more than just its annual service, parts supply has been spasmodic and only recently we limped through Christmas and the New Year with a temporary fix, whilst we still await a new fan impellor from AGA. Their customer services are on short dial on our phone!
So what we have, is a much-loved mechanised member of the family, that requires constant attention, annual maintenance bills vary widely, parts supply is a hit-and-miss affair, it constantly pumps out residual heat even in the summer months and still I accept its shortcomings!.... no wonder I love TVRs!!
apprentice
Purchased new 7 years - model number 499G-MX is to be avoided!... it was not fully developed, being too complex for its own good IMHO.
It has required much more than just its annual service, parts supply has been spasmodic and only recently we limped through Christmas and the New Year with a temporary fix, whilst we still await a new fan impellor from AGA. Their customer services are on short dial on our phone!
So what we have, is a much-loved mechanised member of the family, that requires constant attention, annual maintenance bills vary widely, parts supply is a hit-and-miss affair, it constantly pumps out residual heat even in the summer months and still I accept its shortcomings!.... no wonder I love TVRs!!
apprentice
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