The benefits of home heating with wood-burning stoves are numerous: comfort, beauty, independence, security and environmental responsibility.
Surely the most desired advantage is the promise of cost savings compared with the mainstream heating alternatives. Although there are many variables involved, you can almost certainly save money by heating with a wood-burning stove. Question is which wood-burning stove is right for you?
From simple budget models to those that can economically heat a huge room, these wood-burning stoves are excellent choices:
[amazon table=”2857″]
Wood Burning Stove Buying Tips
Wood burning stoves may well be the most economical and flexible option for heating your home, and country families, being practical and thrifty, have figured this out.
What they’ve found is a wood-burning stove located in the living area keeps that space cozy while other parts of the house, such as the basement and bedrooms, stay cooler. This selective space heating suits people who like their bedrooms cooler, and they save a lot of energy in the bargain. While there are other options within the space heating, nothing beats a wood-burning stove.
Types of Wood-Burning Stoves
The two main wood-burning stove options are cast iron or welded steel.
There is not much difference these days between wood-burning stove types. Cast wood-burning stoves used to have the edge because any part that failed from heat stress could be replaced. But now, the reputable wood-burning steel stove makers have designed their products to last.
Heating Differences Between Cast Iron And Steel Wood-Burning Stoves
There are heating differences between the two wood-burning stoves. Both materials do an effective job of putting out heat into your home.
Cast iron tends to take longer to heat up due to the density of the material. This also means that the stove will retain the heat and continue putting it out for hours.
Steel stoves heat more quickly means that they also lose heat relatively quickly. So, opt for steel if you want quick, short-lasting heat from your stove Wood burning stoves with great patterns make cast iron stoves outstanding to look at in your home.
[amazon bestseller=”wood burning stove” select=”1″ ribbon_text=”Best Selling Stove” description_items=”2″ ]
Which Stove Puts Out Constant Heat
You should buy a catalytic wood-burning stove (steel or cast iron) if you’d like consistent heat. Catalytic wood-burning stoves contain a device called a converter that allows gases and fumes to repeatedly heat, resulting in a fire that burns evenly and lasts longer. This gas recycling system also emits fewer pollutants into the air.
These stoves are a little more complex than other options, though; they need to have a hot internal temperature before they start producing heat, and the catalytic converters must be adjusted based on the fire’s temperature. Catalytic stoves must be regularly cleaned as soot and ash build up in the stove and in the chimney.
How Big A Wood-Burning Stove To Buy?
As a rule of thumb, divide the cubic space of the area you plan to heat by 14 and this will give you a KW output needed for the room. If your room needs a wood-burning stove between 4-6 KW then you need a small wood-burning stove. If your room needs a wood-burning stove between 7-9 KW then you need a medium wood-burning stove. At 10+ KW you will need a large wood-burning stove.
[amazon bestseller=”wood burning stove” select=”3″ ribbon_text=” Best Selling Stove” description_items=”2″ ]
How Long Do Wood-Burning Stoves Burn?
How long will a wood-burning stove burn on a single load of wood? The only reasonable answer is: It depends on wood species and moisture content, and on how much heat is needed during the burn. Stoves in the small category may or may not give an overnight burn, but they tend not to be practical for whole-house primary heating. A medium or large stove sized may give a reliable overnight burn with enough coals remaining to kindle a fire in the morning.
How Hot Should A Wood-Burning Stove Burn?
To get your wood-burning stove going it’s okay to use high burn mode to get it going, but after the room starts to warm up, you will want to switch over to low burn to maintain the temperature and maximize each log’s burn rate. The recommended wood-burning stove temperature range is between 110 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wood-Burning Stove Durability
This is one area to watch out for when shopping for wood-burning stoves. Sometimes cheap stoves are not designed for years of continuous winter use, and key parts may be welded in, so it is wise to buy a wood-burning stove in which parts are replaceable.
A few premium wood-burning stoves are built with soapstone panels on their sides, back, and top. The manufacturers of soapstone wood burning stoves promote them on the basis that they hold heat for many hours so they level out the inevitable ups and downs in wood stove output.
[amazon bestseller=”wood burning stove” select=”4″ ribbon_text=” Best Selling Stove” description_items=”2″ ]
Wood-Burning Stoves Work During Power Outages
During winter power outages, electric heat and furnaces fail, and pipes can freeze and burst. Unlike electric furnaces, wood-burning stoves do not fail during power outages. This is especially important if you are on vacation. The wood-burning stove also provides a beautiful fire view that some consider the centerpiece of the home while you wait for the electric to come back on.
Ease of Use
Usually the simpler the wood-burning stove design, the less you have to figure out. But don’t fear the models with some bells and whistles. The how to use instructions that come with your wood-burning stove will help you be comfortable with heating your home in no time.
Bonus, check out this video on how to use a wood-burning stove.
For homebuyers who want non-electric heat and a room with a fire view, the wood-burning stove is a perfect addition.
