We Know: Tips on Buying a Wood Burning Stove

About Wood Burning Stoves

Wood burning stoves can be used as primary or secondary heat sources. Wood burning restrictions exist in many areas of the country and so wood stoves should not be used on no burn days. Wood stoves are a great alternative to other heat sources including oil, propane or natural gas, and pellets that may be much more costly. 

Wood stoves need to be vented to the outside. Wood inserts can take advantage of chimneys, but the chimney must be specially lined and inspected by a professional chimney sweeper. For free-standing wood stoves, installation of the stove and stove pipe should be done by a certified wood stove installer. Any existing stove pipe should be inspected by a professional before it's used, and it should be cleaned on a regular basis. The buildup of creosote can be a fire hazard. When using your wood stove, be sure to only burn approved materials. Avoid burning trash, treated wood, or plywood.

Available Features for Wood Burning Stoves

A wood burning stove may have one or more of the following features:

  • Glass door: Allows you to watch the fire burning inside the stove.
  • Ash drawer: Eliminates the need to reach into the stove to remove the ashes.
  • Brass or gold trim, decorative door handle or legs.
  • Catalytic converter: Used to make the stove burn more efficiently.
  • Non-catalytic: Some prefer not to use a catalytic converter. To maintain EPA burning standards, stoves without a catalytic converter have different methods of ensuring that the burning process is efficient.
  • Side loading door: Some prefer this to front loading. Some models of wood stoves have both.
  • Built-in blower fan: Direct the heat into the room faster.
  • Built-in temperature gauge.

Wood Stove Models

There are many wood stove models on the market today, including these:

  1. Vogelzang Defender Wood-Burning Stove (model# TR001): Heats 600-1,000 square feet. Sells for around $600.
  2. King Ped WD Heater by U. S. Stove Company: Heats 600-1,000 square feet. Sells for around $1,000.
  3. Small Cast Iron Non-Catalytic Wood Burning Stove by Lennox Hearth Products (model# CI1000HT): Burns 87,301 BTU per hour. Sells for around $1,400.
  4. 23" Non-Catalytic EPA Stove by Century Heating (model# CJW1000L02): Heats up to 1,000 square feet. Sells for around $900.


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