Key Features to Consider When Choosing A Top Wood Stove
Compared to many other things in life, it takes a little more understanding and research when choosing a wood stove. This is where we come in and having the right knowledge can ensure that you do make the right purchase. Here are the most important features to keep in mind when selecting the top wood stoves:
Materials:
There are generally 2 types of wood stoves you will need to choose from. The cast iron and steel welded stoves are quite similar, but they will be different in terms of the design. Cast iron stoves are somewhat sleeker and they have intrinsic curves that make them stand out. However, they do need to be rebuilt after a couple of years.
Compared to the cast iron stoves, the steel welded stoves are much more basic. They are somewhat more affordable and they will look a little plainer. Choosing between these two will rely on your budget and the creativity of the design you are looking for. They are both quite similar in terms of overall durability.
Combustion technology:
The combustion technology will vary quite a bit from one another. The two types of combustion technology are catalytic and non-catalytic. The catalytic combustion features somewhat better heat output and features smoky exhaust that passes through a ceramic honeycomb. This has been catalyst coated. These stoves can be a little harder to operate, but they will last up to 6 seasons when used correctly.
Non-catalytic stove s will create combustion inside the firebox. With the use of diverted gas flow, and insulated firebox, and air introduced through the top of the stove, these stoves will ensure better peak heat output. However, you will need to spend a little extra to replace parts periodically from varying heat outputs.
Emissions:
Emissions are fundamentally important when it comes to protecting the environment. Most stoves nowadays are EPA certified and this means having a smoke emission limit of 4.1g/h for catalytic stoves. Non-catalytic stoves have a limit of 7.5 g/h. When looking at cheaper stoves, you might find that they have not been EPA certified.
The output of heat:
Having heat is one of the main reasons you are considering one of these stoves. The heat output is generally measured in British Thermal Units (BTU). Most of the top stoves will emit heat at a level of 25,000-80,000 BTU’s per hour. It is worth noting that depending on the size of your home, you will need between 5,000 and 20,000 BTU’s per hour.
Heating Capacity:
Lastly, you need to look at the heating capacity of the stove and this is generally indicated. However, the heating might vary depending on the area that you live in. Fortunately, these stoves come in three different sizes and they will all heat up different sized areas.
Small: Heats up around 2 cubic feet
Medium: Heats up around 2-3 cubic feet
Large: Can heat up more than 3 cubic feet
As the winter months start to soar in, having heat becomes more and more fundamental. Electricity is quite expensive and this is where the wood stove takes its rightful place. While they might be expensive at first, in the long run, you will be saving. Burning wood has also been proven to be much more friendly to the environment.
Since we understand how careful you are in choosing a wood stove, we have done some legwork to track down some of the options
on the market today. Our choices of the best wood stoves are top sellers and they are designed to simplify your life.
Our Top Pick – “Vermont Castings 2461 Catalytic Cast“
It is certainly one of the best if you need something stylish and efficient. With the unique design, it should improve the quality of your home and help you keep heat retention to a premium in your home. We would highly recommend this as the number one pick on the market today.
#1 Recommendation – Vermont Castings 2461 Catalytic Cast Iron Stove
The Vermont Castings 2461 Catalytic Cast Iron Stove is a state of the art stove and it features an excellent design to complement the décor in your home. It features intricate details on the outside and the cast iron rarely burn through. It features a longer design as well, allowing you to burn logs of up to 25-inches if needed.
With a maximum heat output of 40,000 BTU’s, it can easily heat up the house. We also love the fact that no “hotspots” are found when using this stove. This will ensure that you need not worry about having certain parts of the stove burn through. With the durable cast iron construction, this stove has an incredibly long life and will also burn evenly.
The recommended area of heating is around 1600 square feet, this makes the stove perfect for larger homes and if you buy the large version, it should enable you to heat up most parts of your home. With a stylish heat resistant glass panel in the front and bottom, you can easily see the fire going and add wood from the side-loading panel as needed.
It might be one of the most expensive wood stoves on the market today, but it offers excellent quality and durability for anyone. We would certainly recommend it for the value and the design and this stoves will help to complement the décor of your home. It comes in as the most recommended stove on this list as well.
Pros:
Extremely durable
Stylish and intricate design
Available in three sizes
Highly efficient
Cons:
It is expensive
Best Wood Burning Stove for Large Homes – Drolet High-Efficiency
The Drolet High-Efficiency Wood Stove is another top of the line cast iron stove with intricate features to help improve the overall style of your home. It features a massive firebox, capable of holding logs up to 21-inches long. The heat efficiency has also been tested and this is around 78%, ensuring excellent heat production in your home.
While the large version will enable you to heat up 2600 square feet with ease, this stove works best when used in homes under 2000 square feet. The BTU rating will vary from place to place, but the manufacturer claims a heat rating of up to 95,000 BTU’s. This is one of the highest ratings we have seen thus far.
Size can be somewhat of a problem if you are living in a smaller home. You will need to ensure the stove can easily fit in your home when you do decide to choose it. Nevertheless, this stove is actually quite affordable and this makes it perfect for those looking for something smaller to keep the heat in their homes.
Pros:
Sleek and stylish design
Heats up 2600 square feet
Maximum heat output of 95,000 BTU’s
Reasonably priced
Cons:
Might be too large for smaller cabins
Best Small Wood Stove for Cabins – US Stove BSK1000 Cast Iron Barrel Stove Kit
If you are looking for a budget stove, the US Stove BSK1000 Cast Iron Barrel Stove Kit is one of the cheapest options on the market today. It features a basic design made from cast iron and the barrel-shaped design should work perfectly for smaller cabins or even for outdoor use in your barn if you need some heat.
The barrel stove will only heat up around 800 square feet of your home and if you are living in a smaller cabin, this will be the perfect option to add to your cabin. We love the fact that it can be set up quite easily and fast, this would help you save on having the expert assembly, but the barrel does seem to burn through eventually.
For the price, this is certainly one of the top options you can choose. However, it might not be suitable for your larger homes; it will light up your cabin and emit efficient heat to keep you warm during the cold winter months. We highly recommend this stove to those who are strapped to a tight budget this coming winter.
Pros:
Easy to assemble
Really affordable
Decent durability
Perfect for small cabins
Cons:
Only heats up 800 square feet
The design might be too basic
Best Stylish Option – Pleasant Hearth 2,200 Square Feet Wood Burning Stove
The Pleasant Hearth 2,200 Square Feet Wood Burning Stove is a state of the art cast iron stove designed to heat up large homes, but it can also be found in smaller sizes for smaller homes even you can build your own wood stove for your home. It heats up an area of up to 2200 square feet if you choose the largest option and offers a maximum heat output of 77,000 BTU’s.
This non-catalytic stove has been EPA certified and features an air wash system that enables it to be cleaned without much trouble. It easily connects to a standard 6-inch chimney and a variable speed blower has been included to ensure optimal efficiency. The ceramic glass window is heat resistant and provides a clear view of the fire area.
In terms of the price, it is actually quite affordable compared to some of the elite wood burning stoves. It is really easy to assemble and you will receive a decent 5-year limited warranty to keep you protected and give you peace of mind. We highly recommend this stove for the quality and value that it provides.
Pros:
Elegant design
Easy to assemble
2200 square feet maximum size
Easy to clean
Includes a 5-year warranty
Cons:
The firebox seems a little shallow
Most Efficient Wood Stove – Vogelzang TR004 Colonial EPA
The Vogelzang TR004 Colonial EPA Wood Stove is designed for the more stylish homes and features a cast iron construction with a colonial design to spice up the décor in your home. It heats up an are of up to 1800 square feet and will burn for up to 8-hours to ensure your home stays warm during the day as well this winter.
The efficiency is rated at over 75% and the maximum heat output is around 70,000 BTU’s. This makes the stove high efficient for heating up most homes. The only real downside is the size and this stove is only available in one size that might not fit your home if you are living in a smaller home. We also like the stylish ceramic glass window.
This wood stove is also quite affordable and features an easy to access ashtray. This should help you when it comes to cleaning the stove and we would definitely recommend it to most larger homes. However, it might not be ideal for your smaller homes.
Pros:
Stylish colonial design
Reasonably priced
Easy to assemble
Maximum heat output of 70,000 BTU’s
Cons:
Only available in one size
Budget Home Wood Stove – US Stove 2000 EPA Certified, Medium
The US Stove 2000 EPA Certified Wood Stove is designed in the US and it has been EPA certified as you might have picked up in the name. It heats up an area of up to 2000 square feet and the efficiency is over 75%. The stove is quite large and it can house wooden logs of up to 21-inches, making it easier for you to use if to longer periods without adding wood.
The heat output is a massive 89,000 BTU’s and this should keep your home warm, for more than 8 hours on end. It is really easy to clean and it features an easy to remove ashtray. Additionally, it includes a blower and this will efficiently blow at 100 cubic feet per minute to ensure the efficiency of the stove is at an optimal level.
The price is relatively normal compared to some of the elite stoves. It is really easy to manage and maintain and this is why we would highly recommend it for medium-sized homes. With a firebrick lined interior, the durability is also amplified.
Pros:
Extremely durable
Decent design
Easy to clean
Reasonably priced
Cons:
It does become quite hot to manage
Best Camping Wood Stove – EcoZoom Dura Camping Stove
Last but certainly not least, we have found the ideal stove for the outdoor lovers. The EcoZoom Dura Camping Stove is quite small compared to many of the others and it also features a nice barrel design. This cast iron stove is somewhat lighter than your elite stoves and easier to move around if you need to go camping.
Versatility will be on your side when you choose this stove and the stovetop can be used for cooking as well. It can heat up your coffee when you are camping or bring the water to a boil without damaging your pots. While it might not have a massive heat output, it will be effective for your camping trips and outdoor ventures.
This wood stove is really affordable and it is mostly recommended for outdoor use. We love the overall design and it can also be used in your garden or on your patio if you are entertaining guests. The durable silicone handles won’t melt and make it much easier to carry.
Pros:
Extremely versatile
Really affordable
Ideal for camping
Eco-friendly
Cons:
Not ideal for indoor use
Reproduced with permission from https://sortedforyou.com
