Wood burning stoves are a popular, eco-friendly, and efficient heating solution. Plus, the soothing crackle and inviting warmth of authentic flames adds a touch of rustic charm to your home.  

Finding the right wood burning stove for your space can be a challenge, as there are many designs to choose from, each offering distinct features and benefits.  

We’ve compiled the key factors to consider as you shop for your new wood burning stove, so you can confidently choose a model that suits your space and lifestyle.

Table of Contents 

• How Wood Stoves Work
• Benefits of Wood Stoves
• Sizing & Heat Capacity 
• Efficiency Rating
• Catalytic vs Non-Catalytic Models
• Wood Stove Styles
• Installation Requirements
• Wood Stove Accessories

Similar to wood burning fireplaces, wood stoves have a firebox, door, damper, and flue.  

The firebox serves as a combustion chamber where the wood burns, while the door is used for loading logs into the stove. The damper regulates airflow, ensuring your fire burns efficiently, and the flue removes smoke from the stove, venting it outside of your home.    

Wood burning stoves use seasoned logs as fuel. Once you place your logs inside the firebox, you can start the fire using kindling or firestarters.  

When lit, wood stoves absorb a tremendous amount of heat and radiate it directly into your home. Some stoves also use convection heating, where cool air is drawn into the firebox, heated, and expelled back into the room.  

In addition to increasing the value of your property, wood stoves provide a few notable advantages, including:  

Constant warmth – Wood stoves are very efficient at warming your home. They can generate a significant amount of heat from a relatively small amount of wood. They also continue to produce heat in the event of a power outage, which is important if you live in an area with inclement weather conditions.  

Energy independence – Installing a wood stove in a central area of your home reduces your reliance on gas and electricity, helping you save on utility costs during the winter months.  

Eco-friendly heating – Seasoned wood is a renewable and carbon-neutral energy source. Modern wood stoves also incorporate advanced combustion technologies to ensure minimal pollutants are released into the air during the burning process.  

Cooking and heating water – Some wood stoves are designed to cook food and heat water, providing additional functionality beyond space heating.  

Before purchasing a wood stove, you'll need to determine what size and heating capacity will best suit your space. Smaller stoves are perfect for cabins or single rooms, while larger stoves are best for spacious, open areas. 

Typically, a small wood stove will heat less than 500 sq. ft. of space, a medium stove will heat between 500-1,000 sq. ft., and a large model can heat up to 2,200 sq. ft. 

If you purchase a stove that’s too large for your space and decide to use less wood than it requires, it may not burn the wood completely, leading to an inefficient use of fuel and creating more pollutants.  

If you overload a stove that’s too small to warm your space with the appropriate amount of wood, it could overheat and increase the risk of a chimney fire.  

You'll need to determine the square footage of the area you’d like to install your wood stove in, so you can select a model with the appropriate BTU (British Thermal Units) output. 

There are a several factors that can influence the heating capacity of your wood stove, including: 

Your ceiling height: The heating capacity of your wood stove could drastically change based on the total volume of the room.  

How insulated your home is: Older homes with poor insulation may decrease the heating capacity of your stove, while newly built, highly insulated homes can significantly increase the heating capacity. 

The number of windows and walls in your space: Your stove’s heating capacity may fluctuate if you have windows that leak cool air into your home or if you have a large, open space with a lot of walls, which can be tricky to heat evenly. 

The type of wood you’re burning: Some types of wood burn more efficiently than others due to their dense, naturally dry compositions. These logs radiate intense heat over a long period of time, boosting the heating capacity of your wood stove. 

A wood stove's efficiency is measured by the amount of heat generated per wood fuel unit. The higher the efficiency rating, the less wood you'll need to burn, reducing both your fuel costs and environmental impact. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the emissions of wood stoves, ensuring that they meet strict standards for safety and air quality.  

Look for stoves with an EPA certification, as they are cleaner and more efficient than non-certified models. 

Wood burning stoves come in two main types, catalytic and non-catalytic.  

A catalytic wood burning stove is equipped with a catalytic combustor that assists in the combustion process, reducing the amount of smoke produced.  

Catalytic stoves achieve higher combustion temperatures and extract more heat from the wood, resulting in higher heat output and longer burn times. This increased efficiency leads to lower wood consumption and reduced emissions. 

On the other hand, non-catalytic stoves use a secondary combustion system that burns off gases before escaping the stove.  

While non-catalytic stoves offer less heat than catalytic models, they are easier to operate and maintain. 

Wood stoves come in a wide variety of designs and styles, ranging from traditional to contemporary. They’re also available in a few different materials, including cast iron, steel, and soapstone.  

Cast iron stoves are sturdy and retain heat for a long time, while steel and soapstone stoves are lighter and easier to relocate.  

Even though steel stoves won’t radiate as much warmth as cast iron models, they heat up quickly and take less time to cool down once the fire is put out.  

Cast iron stoves require periodic maintenance to prevent rust, such as re-seasoning and paint touch-ups. Steel models are prone to rusting and must be cleaned frequently, while soapstone wood stoves resist rust and only require occasional cleaning and re-sealing.  

Freestanding Wood Stoves

Freestanding wood stoves are standalone units that require a non-combustible hearth and a dedicated chimney or stovepipe for venting.  

Typically installed in the center of your main living space, freestanding models radiate heat evenly in all directions.  

Our Best-Selling Freestanding Stoves

Wood Stove Inserts  

Wood stove inserts are designed to fit inside existing masonry or prefabricated fireplaces. They are installed within the fireplace opening, converting it to a wood burning stove.  

These units are equipped with front-facing doors and blower systems to help circulate heat throughout your home. They also require an existing chimney for proper ventilation.  

Our Best-Selling Stove Inserts

Installing a wood burning stove requires technical expertise, so you’ll need to hire a professional to handle the installation process.  

A local hearth professional or contractor will already be up to date on your area’s specific codes and regulations regarding wood burning stoves. They’ll also be able to determine the safest location for your stove and the best venting option.  

To use your wood stove safely, it must be installed on a secure, non-combustible platform that can support its weight. The type and size of the platform will depend on your local codes. 

Your wood stove should be placed a safe distance from the wall and any combustible materials. It also must be installed in an area that won’t obstruct the flue to ensure sufficient ventilation.  

Clearance requirements will vary, depending on the model you purchase. Before you choose a final location for your wood stove, be sure to read the installation guidelines outlined in the manual.  

For extra peace of mind, make sure you mount a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector near your wood burning stove.  

There are a few accessories available to enhance the performance, safety, and convenience of your wood burning stove, including:  

Firewood rack – A firewood rack will keep your seasoned logs organized, dry, and easily accessible  

Log carrier – Easily transport firewood inside your home with a leather or canvas log carrier  

Tools – A poker, a pair of tongs, a brush, and an ash shovel allow you to stoke the flames, adjust the logs, and clean out your wood stove with ease  

Heavy-duty gloves – Safely handle sharp logs or hot tools with a pair of thick, heat-resistant gloves 

Fireplace grate – A grate elevates the logs from the bottom of your stove, allowing air to circulate underneath the logs to improve combustion and reduce smoke. Not all wood stoves require a grate, so be sure to check your installation manual before purchasing one.

We're Here to Help 

Need some help choosing the best wood burning stove for your home? We're here for you! Call our team of NFI certified experts today at 800.919.1904. 

More Resources  

Discover six crucial questions to ask to make sure you hire the right professional for your next fire project 

Find out how a fire feature can significantly increase the value of your home 

Explore the differences between inserts and fireplaces, so you can choose the best solution for your space