Riello burners are among the most widely used burners on boilers, steam generators, industrial ovens and central heating systems. The Italian manufacturer makes models that run on natural gas, light oil (diesel), heavy oil or two fuels, with outputs from a few tens of kilowatts up to several megawatts. Choosing the right burner depends on your boiler's output, the fuel you have and the type of operation you need, not on price alone.
Riello has a production site in China, and at the same time Chinese marketplaces are full of listings that use the Riello name at very different prices. So importing from China means knowing the models well and knowing how to check a unit before you pay.
What does a boiler burner do?
A burner mixes fuel and air in a controlled ratio, ignites the mixture and keeps a stable flame inside the boiler's or furnace's combustion chamber.
A typical burner has:
- A fan that supplies the combustion air.
- A combustion head where fuel and air mix and the flame is shaped.
- A fuel system: a pump and nozzles on oil burners, or a gas train with valves, a pressure regulator and a filter on gas burners.
- An ignition system: an ignition transformer and electrodes.
- A flame sensor: a photocell, UV sensor or ionisation probe that confirms the flame is present.
- A control box that runs the start-up and safety sequence.
Any mismatch between burner and boiler shows up straight away in fuel consumption, heating efficiency and operating safety.
Riello and its production in China
Riello is an Italian company that has specialised in burners and heating systems for more than a hundred years. Its headquarters and main plant are in Legnago, Italy.
According to the company's website, its China production site in Shanghai started up in 2009. It makes burners for the local market and components, has a training and test centre, and acts as Riello's quality and purchasing hub in China.
What this means for importers: finding a Riello burner in China is normal, but not every listing that carries the Riello name comes from the company or an authorised channel. So check the source of every burner before you buy, as explained below.
Riello burner types by fuel
Gas burners
These run on natural gas, and some can run on LPG once correctly set up.
They are common on modern boilers, heating systems and factories connected to a gas network.
They need a gas train that matches the gas pressure available on site, a point that is often overlooked when ordering.
Light oil (diesel) burners
These burn diesel or gas oil, using a fuel pump and nozzles sized to the burner's output.
They suit sites with no gas network, such as some factories, hotels and hospitals in remote areas.
Heavy oil burners
Designed for heavy fuel oils that must be preheated before combustion.
They are used in some large industrial applications and need more careful maintenance.
Dual-fuel burners
These run on gas and diesel, and you can switch between them depending on availability or price.
They suit facilities that cannot afford to lose heat, such as hospitals and food plants, because the second fuel is always ready as a backup.
Riello burner types by operation
- Single stage: fixed output, either fully on or off. Suits small, steady loads.
- Two stage: two output levels, low and high, depending on heat demand.
- Progressive or modulating: output changes gradually between a minimum and a maximum to match the actual load. This cuts on/off cycling and improves efficiency, and is the usual choice for industrial boilers and variable loads.
Larger models come in versions with an electronic cam, which controls the air-to-fuel ratio more precisely, and versions that work with an inverter on the fan motor to save electricity.
How to read a Riello model name
Riello uses a naming system that tells you the burner type from its name. Common codes in Riello catalogues include:
- S: natural gas.
- L: light oil (diesel).
- LS: light oil and gas (dual fuel).
- N: heavy oil.
- /1: single stage.
- /M: modulating.
Well-known ranges include the 40 series for small outputs, the RS series for gas, the RL series for light oil and the RLS series for dual fuel. The number in the model name relates to its output range.
Tip: don't order on the model name alone. Ask for the technical data sheet for that exact model, and check the output range, the working curve and the gas train included.
How to choose the right Riello burner for your boiler
1. Set the required output
Burner output is measured in kilowatts (kW) and is based on the boiler's output and efficiency. The boiler's output should sit inside the burner's working range, not right at its maximum or minimum.
A burner that is too small won't reach the required load. One that is too big can cycle on and off constantly and use more fuel.
2. Check the combustion chamber pressure
Every boiler has internal resistance (back pressure) in the combustion chamber. Burner catalogues show a working curve that links output to combustion chamber pressure.
Your boiler's operating point must sit inside that curve, or the burner won't deliver its rated output.
3. Confirm the fuel and its pressure
For gas burners, know the gas pressure available at the burner inlet, because the gas train is selected from it.
For oil burners, check how fuel is supplied, the length of the fuel lines and the height difference between tank and burner.
4. Check the voltage and frequency
This matters a lot when importing from China. China's grid runs at 50 Hz, while some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, use 60 Hz.
Frequency affects the fan motor's speed and the burner's performance, so ask explicitly for a version that suits your country's voltage and frequency, and check the rating plate before shipping.
5. Choose the type of operation
For small, steady loads a single-stage or two-stage burner may be enough. For industrial boilers and variable loads, a modulating burner is usually the better choice.
6. Check emissions requirements
Some projects or authorities require low-NOx burners. Riello offers dedicated models, so state this requirement at the start if it applies.
7. Don't forget the accessories
Ask what the quote includes: the gas train, the control box, the flame sensor, fittings and any modulation controls. Some cheap quotes are for the burner alone, without the gas train.
How to tell a genuine Riello burner when buying from China
On Chinese marketplaces you will find many listings that use the Riello name or its model names. Some are genuine products from distributors. Others are copies, or burners of another brand listed under a similar name.
Before you pay, ask for and check:
- The rating plate: a clear photo showing the model, serial number, voltage, frequency and output.
- The source: is the seller an authorised distributor? Ask for proof of their link to the company or to an authorised distributor.
- The documents: the original manual, a declaration of conformity and a certificate of origin.
- Packaging and finish: the original carton, paint quality and internal parts.
- Price: a price far below the market is a warning sign, not a bargain.
- Inspection: ask for the burner to be checked and photographed before shipping by an independent party.
You are free to buy a Chinese-made burner under a Chinese brand if it suits your budget, as long as you know that is what you are buying and pay its real price, rather than paying for an original brand and receiving a substitute.
Riello burner spare parts
Burners need routine spares and parts for breakdowns. The most requested include:
- Oil nozzles in different sizes and spray angles.
- Ignition electrodes and cables.
- Ignition transformers.
- Flame sensors: photocells and UV sensors.
- Control boxes.
- Fuel pumps on oil burners, including the Suntec pumps used on many oil burners.
- Fan motors and capacitors.
- Gas valves and pressure regulators on gas trains.
Tip: when ordering spares, send a photo of the burner's rating plate and the old part number. A different version can mean a different part, even on the same model.
How to import Riello burners from China, step by step
- Gather your boiler data: output, fuel, gas pressure, combustion chamber pressure if available, voltage and frequency.
- Select the right model with help from a technician or a supplier who understands working curves.
- Get quotes from more than one source, each stating clearly what is included.
- Check the source and authenticity as described above.
- Agree on a pre-shipment inspection, with photos of the rating plate and the parts included.
- Choose how to ship: small burners and spare parts go by air or express; larger burners and bigger quantities go by sea, as LCL or in a container.
- Prepare the documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and any conformity certificate your country requires.
Shipping, customs and conformity
Burners are usually packed in strong cartons, and larger ones in wooden crates. The gas train and control box must be protected from knocks in transit.
Because a burner burns gas or oil and contains electrical parts, some countries apply specific conformity requirements. In Saudi Arabia, for example, some products need conformity procedures through the SABER platform, so check the HS code and your country's requirements before shipping.
Installation and commissioning
Even the best burner won't run efficiently if it isn't installed and set up correctly.
Installation and first start-up should be done by a qualified technician, with a flue gas analysis to set the air-to-fuel ratio and checks that the safety systems and flame sensor work.
Correct setup saves fuel, extends the boiler's life and cuts emissions.
Common mistakes when buying Riello burners from China
- Choosing the burner on boiler output alone, without checking the working curve and combustion chamber pressure.
- Forgetting to specify the frequency (50 or 60 Hz).
- Buying a gas burner without a gas train that matches the site's gas pressure.
- Trusting a listing with the Riello name without checking the source and rating plate.
- Not ordering basic spares, such as nozzles and ignition electrodes, with the first order.
- Installing without a combustion analysis, which raises consumption and shortens equipment life.
How we work with you
China Aurora (Guangzhou Aurora Trading Co., Ltd.) is a Guangzhou-based company that sources products and industrial equipment, inspects quality and ships from China. This is how we help with burners and their spare parts:
- You send us your boiler data, fuel, voltage and frequency, or a photo of your current burner's rating plate.
- We find reliable sources for the model you need or a suitable alternative, and send you quotes you can compare, each stating what it includes.
- We check the supplier, the rating plate and the documents before you pay.
- We inspect the goods before loading and send you a photo report.
- We consolidate burners and spare parts from several suppliers in our Guangzhou warehouse and arrange air or sea freight to your country.
Send us your order details on WhatsApp at +86 185 2028 8213 for a quote.
FAQs about Riello burners
Are Riello burners made in China?
Riello has had a production site in Shanghai since 2009 that makes burners for the local market and components, alongside its main plant in Italy. But not every Chinese listing with the Riello name is a genuine product, so always check the source.
What is the difference between a two-stage and a modulating burner?
A two-stage burner runs at two fixed outputs. A modulating burner changes its output gradually to match the actual load, which makes it better suited to variable loads and industrial boilers.
Can a diesel burner be converted to gas?
Usually not, because the combustion head and fuel system are different. If you need both fuels, a dual-fuel burner is the better solution.
Will a burner built for China work on 60 Hz power?
Not always. Order a version that suits your country's voltage and frequency, and confirm it on the rating plate.
Which spare parts should I order with the burner?
Oil nozzles, ignition electrodes, a flame sensor and fuel or gas filters. Facilities that can't afford downtime should also keep a spare control box.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Riello burner starts with your boiler data: output, combustion chamber pressure, fuel type and pressure, voltage and frequency. When importing from China, the next step matters just as much: confirming the burner is genuine and checking its source before you pay.
If you want us to handle sourcing, inspection and shipping for you, send your boiler details on WhatsApp at +86 185 2028 8213.