You ever got so cold that you decided to have a source of heat in your home?
Or, you’ve been searching for a good source of warmth in your home? Search no more. Here is a list of the best wood stoves at your disposal.
Coming across this article, the first thing that comes to mind is the stove used for cooking. At the very least, that is common with most homes around the world, especially in some third world countries.
But in this article, we are going to be looking at stoves from another perspective, a perspective that is more pleasant and beneficial to an average human.
It ranges from knowing the different types of stoves to knowing how to get the best wood stove and also how best to use them and the buying guide. Without further ado, let us get started.
Apart from the general knowledge of using a traditional fireplace to supply heat to your condo, have you ever considered that a stove could also be used to provide warmth in a place?
Well, it’s possible with the manufacture of modern stoves which are stylish and are safer to use. Now you may start asking yourself why you need a stove when your traditional firewood fireplace does the same job. I would say that there is a thick line between what both heating agents do.
The wood stove is modern, safe to use, and is efficient to use. These stoves ensure safety as the fire is contained and out of harm’s way from your little kids, compared to your fireplace. Another reason for you to own one is the reduction of air pollution and the production of more energy.
These stoves are most effective in countries with a harsh cold-weather climate. It is not a very pleasant experience to wake up in the morning half-dead due to the cold.
Wood stoves vary in different types and sizes. Each for their purposes and places of position. The following is a comparison chart of the stove and their features:
Top 10 Small Wood Stoves Comparision Table:
| Image | Product | Efficiency | Heat Radius | Heat Output | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Hi-Flame Appaloosa Wood Stove | 0.72 | 1,800 ft 2 | 63000 | Check On Amazon |
 | Vogelzang TR001 Defender | 0.75 | 1,200 ft 2 | 68,000 BTU | Check On Amazon |
 | Vogelzang TR004 Colonial EPA Wood Stove | EPA Certified | 1,800 ft 2 | 69600 | Check On Amazon |
 | Cubic Grizzly Mini Wood Stove CB-1210 | EPA Certified | 200-400 ft 2 | 18000 | Check On Amazon |
 | Pleasant Hearth WS-2417 | 0.81 | 1,200 ft 2 | 50,000 BTU | Check On Amazon |
 | Drolet HT2000 High-Efficiency Wood Stove | 0.82 | 250-1,000 ft 2 | 40,000 BTU | Check On Amazon |
 | Dickinson Marine 00-NEWSF Newport | 500 ft 2 | 8,000 BTU | Check On Amazon | |
 | Cubic Cub Mini Wood Stove – CB-1008 | EPA Certified | Less than 200 ft 2 | 6000-14000 BTUs | Check On Amazon |
 | Pleasant Hearth 35,000 BTU Medium Pellet Stove | 0.85 | 1750 ft 2 | 35,000 BTU | Check On Amazon |
 | US Stove 2000 Wood Stove | EPA Certified | 2000 ft 2 | 89000 | Check On Amazon |
Top 10 Small Wood Stoves Reviews:
#1 Hi-Flame Appaloosa Woodstove
The Hi-Flame Appaloosa is a fantastic wood burning stove that boasts of smart design and an impressive 72% efficiency rating.
What makes it breath-taking is how it is able to produce such an efficiency rating because it is one of the smallest stoves that has been made. The stove has a BTU of 63,000 to offer and a heat radius of 1,800 square feet to provide its owner.
Another exciting feature that complements its design is the quality of material used to build it up, which is made of solid cast ironwood and is accompanied by a ceramic glass window.
It is equipped with top vents, which is the right kind of stove for any room. And not forgetting to add, an impressive 5-year warranty Isn’t this baby just full of surprises? If you own a small home or room, this is just the one for you. You’re sure to get the best out of it.
- Performs on any level.
- Impressive efficiency rate.
- Does so much for a little stove.
- Expensive.
- Other features.
- Low clearance distance.
- Made of quality cast iron.
#2 Vogelzang TR001 Defender
Speaking of a quality small wood burning stove, you can’t leave out the Vozelgang Defender from the list. Made with a gauge of 3/16” steel plate, the wood stove can burn for eight hours with just one fueling, which puts it at a high-efficiency rate and generates a heat output of 68,000 BTUs.
It accommodates logs of wood that are 18” long and possesses a heat radius of 1,200 square feet. It also has this creative design that gives ambiance in the atmosphere.
Its body design, made of plate steel and a tight air finish, is complemented by a ceramic glass door that gives you a beautiful view of the fire burning.
It contains an air vent that helps in lighting up the fire and an air inlet at the rear, which functions to let the wood burn effectively and efficiently. This means your wallet will heave a sigh of relief because you won’t have to spend much on fuel.
- Adjustable legs for positioning.
- Very efficient.
- Amazing design.
- Comes with a blower.
- Designed for heating only. No cooking feature.
- Other features.
- An iron door with a large window.
#3 Vogelzang TR004 Colonial EPA Wood Stove
This stove is EPA certified. In other words, you don’t have to panic or worry about efficiency as it comes with a 75% rating and recommendation. It has a clean burn, which is good for a wood stove.
It contains the feature of a heavy cast iron door that is solid and a cool-touch wood-handle, accompanied by an air washed ceramic glass. Like some other wood stoves, it contains a firebrick lined interior to ensure the clean quality of the burn it produces.
It burns up to 8 hours on just one fueling It produces a heat radius of 1,800 square feet and a heat output of 69,600 BTUs and has a warranty of 1 year
- The efficiency of 75%.
- Cool-touch wood handle.
- Burn duration of 8 hours on one fueling.
- It weighs 265 pounds which is heavy for a stove.
- Requires a large place of installation.
- Other features.
- 1-year warranty.
#4 Cubic Grizzly Mini Wood Stove CB1210
The exciting features this stove has are that it is a small wood stove and also serves as a decorator at the same time, not failing to do the needful. Dickinson Newport is one of the smallest stoves to be made.
Where its use can be appreciated is in the marine environment and small places like RVs’.
Small, reliable, compact, and efficient. Another interesting feature is that, although it weighs 27 lbs, it still generates up to 18000 BTU for such a small size and dimensions.
And for a small stove, it handles various means of heat. The stove was built for small boats larger than 40 feet — little wonder why it is only suitable for very small houses.
The cubic wood accepts wood that is about 6 ¾ long. It is safe to use compared to diesel or propane heaters. The body build is made of stainless steel that can stand the test of time.
- Produces very little smoke.
- Suitable for a small home.
- Allows for good airflow.
- Cooking provisions included.
- Easy to install.
- Not for heating large rooms.
- Nor suitable for extremely cold weather.
- Other features.
- Durable stainless steel.
- Ceramic glass door.
#5 Pleasant Hearth WS-2417
The Pleasant Hearth is a total package. Let’s start from the build. It is built big enough to accept logs that are 18 inches in size. And when it burns wood, it does it very clean and keeps the glass door clean too.
The ceramic glass window is not only there so that it can give a warm view, but it serves to brighten up the room while the fire is heating the room at the same time.
It contains features such as air wash ventilation and a speed blower that helps the heat get evenly circulated across all areas of the room.
The stove can heat up to 2,200 square feet, can create heat up to 77,000 BTUs and has an efficiency rate of 85%. A lot of heat output for such a small stove if you ask me.
It also has a brick-lined firebox that ensures and boosts its durability and in addition, connects to a standard 6 inches chimney.
- Accompanied by a speed blower.
- Gives ambiance to your room.
- High-efficiency rate.
- 5-year warranty.
- Instructional DVD for installation.
- Quite heavy.
#6 Drolet HT2000 High-Efficiency Wood Stove
This stove is one of the smallest in the market but does a fantastic job for its size. The stove emits heat that covers a heating area between 2,400 square feet and accepts wood that is 22” long.
The wood stove uses seasoned cordwood as the type of fuel, has an overall firebox volume of 3.93, and burns for 5 hours. This small stove here produces a maximum heat output of 95,000 BTU.
It has an optimum efficiency of 78% and has a limited lifetime for a warranty. This kind of stove can only be used for alcove installation and mobile homes.
Other features include a glass surface, glass air-wash system, a door made of glass made of ceramics and accompanied with a cast-iron frame. The body build is quite thick and is designed to maintain an acceptable room temperature should there be a power outage.
- Alcove installation-approved.
- Satisfactory burning time.
- Impressive heat output.
- No ashtray.
- Limited lifetime of the warranty.
- No blower included.
- Asphan not included.
#7 Dickinson Marine 00-NEWSF Newport
Two exciting features this stove has are that it is a small wood stove, and it can be hanged on the wall to save space and also serve as a decorator at the same time, not failing to do the needful. The Dickinson Newport is one of the smallest stoves ever to be made.
Where its use can be appreciated is in the marine environment. Small, reliable, compact, and efficient. Another interesting feature is that, although it weighs 15 lbs, it still generates up to 3000-8000 BTU for such a small size and dimensions. And for a small stove, it handles various means of heat.
It handles multiple fuel types such as peat, wood, charcoal, and presto log fuel. The stove was built for a small boat that’s 20-25 feet. Little wonder why it is only suitable for tiny houses. A removable ashtray is available, which makes cleaning it easy.
Other features include a damper control, and the body build is made of stainless steel that can stand the test of time.
- Can be hung on the wall.
- Suitable for a small home.
- Removable ashtray.
- Handles varieties of fuel entities.
- Not for heating large rooms.
- Not ideal for extremely cold weather.
- Other features.
- Damper control.
- Durable stainless steel.
#8 Cubic Cub Mini Wood Stove – CB1008
This product has a 3”-diameter for a flue pipe and has a more recent design but was built to be strong and durable. Black in color and has brass accents; the stove was built to provide warmth in boats, very small houses, and RVs.
Because it is small, it does not take much fuss to install and operate and does not require much room to be fixed. As the smallest pellet stove, but it produces 6000-14000 BTUs.
The stove produces very little smoke because of the secondary combustion system and burns clean. Having a stove like this is safer in the home than a propane heater.
The 27 lbs stove is equipped with insulation and a glass that was manufactured out of ceramic. And to add, it accepts wood, charcoal and pressed fire logs as its fueling agent.
- Easy to install.
- Built with strong materials.
- Emits little smoke.
- Does not take much space.
- Very small, and as such is heat is limited to its size.
- Can only be used effectively in boats and small houses.
#9 Pleasant Hearth 35,000 BTU Medium Pellet Stove
This stove is a sample of a tiny stove for small homes. It is built not only to provide warmth to the given environment, but it can be used to decorate your home.
It heats an area at 1750 square feet and produces a heat output of 35,000 BTUs (quite much for a small stove) and can burn for from a range of 12-24 hours (Wow!).
It is safe to use as it is EPA certified and has an efficiency rating of 85%. It possesses impressive features such as an auto light ignition, five heat settings, an exclusive comfort system, and gives you the choice of running it continuously at either minimum or maximum levels.
It is accompanied by an air kit and a convection blower. Belonging to the category of tiny wood stoves, it does not take much effort to assemble, and it comes with a manual that will put you through its operation and troubleshooting if need be.
Take this from me; this beauty right here is the real deal.
- Exclusive comfort system.
- Ceramic glass window.
- Approved for mobile homes.
- Adjustable thermostat.
- Heat output is limited to stove size.
- Other features.
- Air wash system.
- 5-year limited warranty.
#10 US Stove 2000 EPA Certified Wood Stove
The medium-sized wood stove has a great feature of versatility as it can function in different size spaces. No space restrictions! It covers a heat radius of 2000 square feet, which can serve as an excellent source of heat regardless of the size.
It also gives off a heat output of 89,000 BTUs. It comes in a spacious firebox that is 2.0 cubic feet in measurement that accepts 21 inches of wood, which increases the burning time and, in turn, reduces the money taken out of your purse for fuel.
The body build is made of the quality and durable materials, which means you won’t be seeing the end of it in a very long time. It is EPA certified, which means it is a clean-burning stove that doesn’t cause air pollution and can be quite cumbersome to install.
It accommodates wood that is 25 inches long and has a 6-inch flue collar. The product includes an ash drawer and a blower, which encourages the effective heat distribution around the room.
It has a dimension of 24.5w x 27h x 30d and has a fancy glass door with an air-wash feature that keeps the glass clean and possible to view.
- Efficient to use.
- Ability to heat large spaces.
- Accompanied by a blower.
- Heavy and difficult to install.
- Needs a chimney height of at least 12 inches.
- Other features.
- Equipped with an ashtray.
Best Small Wood Stoves Buying Guide
What to Consider When Buying a Wood Stove
Stoves vary in sizes, types, efficiency rates, heat output, and heat radius. The different types of stoves include small wood stoves, small pellet stoves, small wood burning, a Tiny wood stove for small homes, and Tiny wood stoves.
Here is an answer to a question you may have been thinking about for a while. Why should you get a wood stove? The very first reason is that it is much better than the traditional fireplace to which you are used. Better in terms of modern design, energy output, and the heat radius.
Plus, they can serve a decorative piece to your home. Their source of fuel, which is wood, is renewable and sustainable, stable, and cheap, which is better than coal, oil, and gas. They are also clean burners. But as most products have their positive sides, we must not overlook the negative sides too to help you know what you the good and bad of the product you want to buy.
These burners, although good, emit carbon monoxide, which is dangerous to our health. That is why they need EPA certification to let us know how safe they are to use, and if they meet the air standards.
Due to this, you ought to install an alarm that triggers to alert you if the carbon monoxide is passing the standard level.
Because they use wood as fuel, there has to be a space for storing your wood, which means less space for you in the house. Speaking of wood, the capacity to accommodate the inches of wood varies between stoves and, therefore, affecting the rate at which it burns.
And the most cumbersome of it all, unless you have enough financial resources to buy wood, you will have to be chopping wood. If your body build isn’t suitable for wood-cutting, then wood stove may not be the one for you.
This section of the article is to stock you up with information on the factors to consider when you want to buy a wood stove. You ought to be happy at all times, and getting a very nice, affordable, stylish, and maintenance-efficient stove should be a part of what contributes to your happiness.
Coming home to meet a warm atmosphere after a long day in the cold should always be something to relish if you live in an environment with not-so-friendly cold weather conditions.
Or better still, it is mostly cold at night, and you may want to switch on the stove. Get yourself a stove that is fit for the size of your home.
A stove that has the right amount of heat output for your cabin, and would not give you the stress of operating and maintaining it. Some are expensive, but if you can afford them, you won’t regret buying them as their reputation and price speak for them.
Here are the factors to consider when getting a stove:
Size and Space: This is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a wood stove, if not the most important factor.
The reason being, you don’t want to bite more than you can chew. Buy the stove that is suitable for the size of your house or cabin. If you own a very small house, then The Dickinson Newport is undoubtedly the one to get for your comfort.
It will not be a pleasant experience to run away from the cold outside only to be confronted by massive heat from your stove because it cannot operate below a set temperature. If you have a large room, the Dickinson Newport will not suffice for the capacity of the room if you will feel anything.
Instead, a Vogelzang Defender will do the job of circulating enough air across the room with the added support of the blower that came along with it. Also, consider the space it is going to occupy in your home.
Do you have space to spare? If so, get one that fits the size of your room, if not, you may still want to opt for the Dickinson Newport which can be mounted on the wall (that is if your place is small). Don’t also forget the clearance distances between the stove and the wall if space is a tight one.
If you don’t have protective materials to reduce the clearance distances, ensure to get one. These materials are to prevent your home against fire hazards
Cost
The majority of these stoves are expensive because they are complex in handling. But in the long run, they are worth the money spent.
You will discover as time goes on that you’d be doing yourself a favor in the savings of your energy and that small pellet stoves are safe sources of heat in a home in terms of the environmental health and economically. Ensure you get one you can afford.
Efficiency rate
While the percentage of efficiency for some of these stoves is not exclusively stated, it is essential to know if the stove you are about to buy is EPA certified, i.e., the wood burner meeting the standards for burning efficiency.
Because of this, the stove will consume less fuel and emit less hazardous smoke into the atmosphere. It is important to take note of this. Otherwise, you risk paying a tax credit for stoves that exceed 75% efficiency.
The Heat Output
In case you are wondering what BTU is, it is an acronym for British Thermal Units. A home, whether big or small, should accept 20,000 BTUs per hour on an average level regardless of winter.
When you are down to making a choice, make sure you go for a stove that emits a BTU that is proportional to the size of your house.
How to Operate a Wood Stove
“It’s just a wood stove. What could possibly be hard about it?” While some people aren’t new to using wood stoves, some people are first-timers in using wood stoves.
But nevertheless, it is important to know how wood stoves work as they vary in function. What works for stove A might not be applicable to stove B.
Therefore, it is imperative to know how to operate it. Some of the stoves are accompanied by manuals. Some don’t come with one. Consider these tips to help you around operating and maintaining your wood stove, which will, in turn, serve you better and longer.
Ensure to use the right type of wood
Definitely, you are not going to light a fire on an empty firebox. If you want to get your fire started successfully, you will need a block of very dry and seasoned wood. Wet wood is useless to start a fire as a screw without a hole. Some logs will contain moisture, but it is still not enough.
The result won’t be encouraging, and you may end up getting frustrated over something you have little knowledge about. Getting the best out of a wood stove partly depends on how dry the wood is.
Before getting a wood stove, ensure you store your wood in a dry place for at least six months. You can as well get a moisture meter to monitor the moist in the atmosphere.
Don’t be eager to jump steps. Start small!
In case you’re starting a fire for the first time, start with the little logs of wood. Don’t just gather all the logs of wood of different sizes and put them into the firebox (that’s if the stove accommodates them). Build a high level of temperature before introducing the big logs into the dancing flames.
Little by little, does it. Give it small logs of wood, accompanied by pieces of paper to build the momentum of fire. And don’t forget to allow some air blow to into it. Not so much that will blow out the fire, but enough to serve as oxygen for the fire to breathe.
Little by Little
Once you have set up the stage for the fire to welcome new arrivals, you can begin to introduce the “big brothers” to join the party. But put them one after the other. Exercise a little patience before adding the next after the previous.
The high temperature has already set the fire rolling and will help in burning the big logs. Any attempt to dump the logs of wood at once into the fire will kill the fire you painstakingly built and nurtured
Do well to keep the fire burning
Maintaining the fire is as important as starting it. Otherwise, you’d have dashed all your efforts into the air as there will be nothing to show for it.
Too many logs of wood in the firebox is equivalent to a lot of smoke. And a lot of smoke does not technically mean you are progressing. Check again; the fire is dying a rather gruesome death.
WARNING!
DO NOT! I repeat, DO NOT LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN! The manufacturers built wood stoves to be safe to an extent, and those glass doors aren’t there so that you can only have a good view of the fire. They are mainly there for the protection of the fire.
Anything can sky-rocket its way out of the firebox, which in turn will trigger your fire alarm. What causes a fire alarm? Oh! That’s right! A FIRE! You don’t want to be a victim of an inferno.
Avoid burning trash
In case you don’t know this, the burning of waste is illegal. Do not attempt to do so in your wood stove as it is not healthy, both for the stove and for your environment.
Maintaining Your Wood Stove
Health, as they say, is wealth. Machines, with joints especially, need lubrication from time to time to keep them working at all times. The same thing goes for the woodstove. Think about it, what could go wrong if you don’t tend to your woodstove well?
One of such is the fire hazards it can cause. Below are the tips that can help you in giving your woodstove the adequate care it needs:
Efficiency and Effectiveness
One of the signs that show that you are not caring for your stove is the presence of smoke. Also, endeavor to use the right type of fuel. Some stoves use only one type of fuel, which is dry wood.
Others are versatile by using wood, charcoal, and peat. Doing this gives you a smoke-free environment and creates a safe environment for living.
Safety Against Fire
There are some steps to take to prevent fire outbreaks as a stove owner. It is pertinent to know these measures and how to apply them. These three things may be the cause of fire problems:
- The close presence of a flammable substance
- A dirty chimney
- Combustibles are too near the stove
Solutions:
Handle the firebox well
While it is quite understandable to want to leave the stove on for some days, it is also important to lower the fire or quench it for some time to allow it to breathe a bit and also to clean the firebox. Ensure to maintain the neatness of the ashtray when need be.
But be cautious; do these when the stove is cold. You don’t want to spend a part of your next part of your wages nursing a burn on your skin. However, do well to not dispose of all of the ash as they will help to ignite your next fire.
Keep the Pipe Creosote-Free
For most organs or machines that have a passage, it has to be kept clean and free from obstructions. It is a known fact that you get choked when something has obstructed the air passage along the human throat. It also applies to the pipe of your stove.
When the fire is started, the flames go into the pipe, which generates creosote (a dark brown flammable tar derived from the smoke from a wood on the walls of a chimney). Piling creosote is not good news and would most likely end in tears.
Brush the creosote off with a strong brush. Do this for 5-6 weeks, and you won’t encounter any problems from the chimney as far as this problem is concerned.
Ensure to keep the stove from all combustibles
Anything can happen with a burning fire. Too much air, leaving the door open, and other factors can cause a fire outbreak. Ensure to have the appropriate tools available to handle these accidents should they happen.
Tools like gloves and a little shovel come in handy in cases like this. Remember, prevention is better than correction.
Keep away all flammable objects
Have you ever thrown a can of unfinished mosquito spray into the fire? The outcome isn’t friendly; it explodes. Keep your stove away from all flammable objects. It cannot be overemphasized. And a fire extinguisher shouldn’t be far from your reach should the day you need it comes.
In Conclusion To
As stated earlier in this article, stoves come in different sizes, efficiency rates, heat output, and heat radius. They also come with their unique features and equipment.
It depends on what you want, which is primarily determined by the size of your home. If you have a small apartment, then tiny small stoves such as the Dickenson Marine Newport deserves your attention.
The Hi-flame Shetland can be used for all purposes. Just find a focal point in your room to put it and let it do the rest. Maintenance of the wood stoves can be quite stressful too.
But some are less stressful than others. But a quick recap; clean your chimney, check your firebox, keep the stove far from combustibles and keep all flammable substances from the woodstove. I wish you a warmth-filled home!