It can be challenging to sit comfortably in a tiny home during a cold winter when we are often urged to bundle up with a warm blanket, light the fireplace, and curly up on the couch.
Tiny homes aren’t well suited to a fireplace; however, a small wood stove offers an alternative. It not only provides you with a source of warmth, but it also provides you with a creative and cost-effective way to warm your home. Apart from giving you a large amount of heat while talking small space, they are also aesthetically pleasing to compliment your interiors.
Even though there are probably hundreds of options available to choose from, but you can easily get lost in the sea of wood stoves without getting the correct one; that’s why here are some of the best wood-burning stoves that are available in the market.
Table of Contents
Best Wood Burning Stoves in 2021
1. Drolet Blackcomb II Medium 2020 EPA Certified Wood Stove
This is the best burner you can get if your requirement is not for large rooms with its incredible features and aesthetic design.
The Blackcomb II is a popular choice for efficient stoves that can give heat at much lower power consumption, making it environment as well as budget-friendly in the long term. The heat output that Blackcomb II gives can go up to 65,000 BTU/h, which is an incredible spec to heat your medium-sized home perfectly and in an efficient manner as well.
Though you might think that 65,000 BTU/h can’t be very energy efficient to generate this much heat, it would consume a ton of power, but it is precisely the opposite of that. This wood stove burner provides this incredible heat output efficiently that wastes less and provides more heat in the same amount of wood that other burners would do in more wood.
Even with these incredible specs, you get an impressive 6h plus run time in a single-use which is far more than the average wood stover burner time of 4h. That’s 50% more run time than your average burner.
- Efficient heating with heat output as high as 65,000 BTU/h
- The emission rate is as low as just 1.26 g/h
- The 6h burning time can keep you heated for whole nights.
- It is highly affordable when compared to the specs it provides.
- It is not well suited for homes larger than 2,000 sq ft.
- Included: pedestal with ash drawer, top air deflector, ceramic glass, side panels, ash lip, air damper
- EPA 2020 approved - Average particulate emissions rate 1.26 g/h - Non-catalytic
2. Ashley Hearth AW3200E-P Wood Burning Stove with Blower
Though there was a misconception that a wood burner is not well suited for large homes, but Ashley’s Hearth’s wood-burning stove proved it wrong by providing the heating solution for large homes entirely on its own. Exceeding the maximum of an average wood burner, this can go as high as 152,000 BTU/h.
Comparing the last burner with this one makes that wood burner look tiny; with this much heat output, you can very well heat your large houses that are above 3,000 sq ft. Obviously, to generate this much heat, you would need lots of wood, and it got you covered there with the capacity of 30 lb of wood at once in the firebox.
The body is made up of premium steel, durable, and provides increased efficient burning in more prolonged use cases. You can load logs as long as 22 inches.
Additionally, this also comes with a blower that speeds adjustable and can go as high as 100 CFM on the highest setting. This ensures proper distribution of heat throughout the house, and in case you want, you can constantly adjust the speed as per your requirements.
Though, this wood stove burner is not known to be very energy efficient and also can burn a large amount of wood pretty quickly, which is expected as the amount of heat it produces is massive.
- Incredible heat output that can go as high as 152,000 BTU/h
- It is suitable for large houses with a 3,000 plus sq ft area.
- You can load huge 22 inches of logs in it.
- Due to massive heat output, it consumes a lot of power.
- The burn time is much lower than the average 4 hours of other wood stive burners.
- 152,000 BTUs heats up to 3,200 square feet
- Heavy gauge 3/16 inch reinforced plate steel with firebrick lining for long life and combustion efficiency
3. Drolet Escape 1500-I Wood Stove Burner
If you are looking for something for your normal-sized home, then Droplet Escape 1500-I is a perfect choice. This burner is famous for being extremely efficient, environmentally friendly, and compact.
This is an insert wood stove and not a pedestal one, so you would need to install it somewhere by inserting it, maybe under a chimney or a particular place. Though it is an eco-friendly burner, it still provides heat output as high as 65,000 BTU/h that can heat medium-sized homes very well, though I would recommend you not to choose it if your house size exceeds 2,000 sq ft.
Now, let’s talk about the main feature of this burner, efficiency. It provides an extreme 78% efficiency, which results in less wood to produce more heat that helps the environment and saves money on wooden logs. Not just this, but the burner also provides extremely low emission rates and can burn for longer hours.
It has 6h of burning time, so you can turn it on once and forget about it. Additionally, the emission rate is as low as 1.26 g/h, which is far lower than EPA recommended, 4.5 g/h. That means more heat in less wood and longer run time.
It comes with a powerful blower that spreads the heat in equal amounts in every direction, and the design is aesthetically pleasing and will suit your interior decor very well.
- It has extreme power consumption saving with increased efficiency.
- The 1.26 g/h of emission rate is record-breaking.
- The design is highly modern and classic, which will complement your interiors.
- It is suitable for medium-sized rooms and, with 65,000 BTU/h, can heat them exceptionally well.
- You can only load logs of a max size of 18 inches.
4. US Stove US1269E 900
This one is a compact stove and comes from one of the most recognized brands, US Stove who are well known for their quality products, and this one is no different. The US Stove US1269E 900 provides a heat output of 54,000 BTU/h and is meant for tiny houses with a size below 1000 sq ft.
Though it is not one of the best wood stove burners you would find in the market, it is indeed the cheapest one with great specs. It lacks in design and is not suitable for large or even medium-sized homes.
Though, 54,000 BTU/h can very well heat your tiny houses and rooms and will consume less power. Additionally, you can use 19 inches logs with it, and it is a stand-free burner, so you can place it anywhere you would like.
- It is suitable for tiny houses below 1,000 sq ft.
- You can use logs up to 19 inches in length.
- It is highly affordable for someone who is looking for something within the budget.
- There is no official burn time mentioned anywhere.
- The specs are far less convincing than the others on the list.
- 54, 000 BTUs heats up to 900 Sq. Ft.
- 2-Piece safety handle remains cool while the stove is burning while heavy duty cast iron construction provides classic style with modern technology
5. Pleasant Hearth VFS2-PH30DT
Pleasant Hearth VFS2-PH30DT is a product that is known for its durability and long-term uses. It is made with premium materials that are made to ensure it functions appropriately after a long time. The build quality is above expectations, and the heat output of 30,000 BTU/h is more than enough for most of the users.
It is not made for large houses and specifies heating the tiny homes with a size less than 1,200 sq ft. It also comes with a thermostat in the body and a heating sensor that ensures proper safety in case the burner gets overheated.
Additionally, it has a dual burner technology that throws flames in two directions covering a large area and heating more effectively. The design is well made with aesthetics in mind; it looks classic and suits well with the interiors of any modern house. Also, the front glass windows allow you to correctly see the logs and determine if they need to be replaced or not.
Though not of extremely high heat output, this wood burner still can handle logs as long as 32 inches which is impressive. This ensures that the burn time is increased, and this burner can produce heat for an extended amount of time.
- The body is made with durability in mind and can function properly for a long time.
- The design is classic and looks aesthetic when placed in a room.
- The size is on a little bigger side of the spectrum than the other wood burners with much more heat output.
- Your purchase includes One Pleasant Heart 32-Inch Intermediate Gas Vent Free Stove in Black. Blower is not included
- Stove dimensions – 14.37” D x 31.93” W x 28.27” H | Firebox dimensions – 12.25” D x 26.07” W x 12.08” H | Clearance space – 5” min from wall, 36” min above stove | Covered space – 1,000 sq. ft.
6. Vogelzang Deluxe Wood Burning Stove
You may not have heard of this brand, but that’s why I am mentioning it in the list as this is an extremely great product and deserves recognition. It is an average wood-burning stove with decent features and a great design.
The burner can give heat output as high as 70,000 BTU/h and is an excellent choice for buyers who wants something for a medium-sized home within the budget. You can use this in a house as large as 2,000 sq ft and it will keep you warm easily on even most chilling winter days.
Additionally, it offers a high power blower that made sure that the heat reaches out to the distance, and in every corner, it operates at an extreme 150 CFM rate. Also, this is an inset type so you can’t place it randomly somewhere, instead, you would need to insert it somewhere.
It can take logs up to 18 inches in size and is not very energy efficient or doesn’t provide a long burning time due to the small fireplace size, as you can place a not large amount of wood at once and would need to replace them on average of 3.5 hours of usage.
- It is compact and can fit well in small fireplaces.
- The specs are average but do the job well.
- It is not very energy efficient.
- It is not suitable for houses larger than 2,000 sq ft.
- Heats 1800 sq. ft.
- Includes stainless steel vent kit
7. Dickinson Newport Small Wood Stove Burner
This is a small and portable wood stove burner and also the smallest on this list. This is ideal for anyone who wants something small and for compact spaces such as a kitchen or garage. Though being small in size, it can heat up small spaces well and work perfectly even on chilling cold days.
The product’s weight is just 15 pounds and can be placed almost anywhere inside the house, or if you prefer, you can also mount it to a wall. Being just 7.88 inches wide will fit any space you want it to pretty well and heat small rooms pretty well.
This little beast has a heat output of 4,000 and 9,000 BTU/h and can operate on various fuels, making it an ideal choice for compact homes. It is recommended to use this in a house of 250 sq ft to 350 sq ft of size as anything beyond that size will not be covered by the burner.
The body is made of premium stainless steel and is extremely easy to clean and control. It looks great if that is concerning you, if you are going to use it in your living room or someplace, this will complement your interiors very well. Overall, this is not a powerhouse of a heater as it doesn’t have to be; it is meant for people with tiny houses who want affordable heating on extreme winter days.
- Extremely compact and lightweight with just 15 pounds of weight.
- It can operate on multiple fuels such as wood, coal, or even charcoal.
- It can heat small spaces up to 350 sq ft of size well, even in extreme chilling conditions.
- It comes with a highly affordable price tag.
- You can see the fire burning, neither the logs while it’s operating.
- Heats 1800 sq. ft.
- Includes stainless steel vent kit
Factors to Consider Buying Wood Stove Burner
You can opt for a variety of products that can keep you warm in cold winters, but one of the most preferred ones is a wood stove burner. There are a lot of different ones available with specs ranging from different use cases; I am going to guide you through all the information about what to look for before buying yours.
1. Heat Output
One of the most important things or we can say the primary function of a wooden stone burner is to heat up the environment, and the amount of heat it can generate is measured in BTU/h, which stands for British Thermal Units per hour.
You would have to be very cautious while choosing one as you don’t want to get less heat output for your large house, or you might end up buying a way more powerful burner than you need for your home size. One thing to consider is this just calculates the amount of heat a burner can generate; to properly distribute that heat, it still needs an excellent inbuilt blower.
Also, since this is a wood stove burner, you can always add more wood to it and increase the heat. Let’s take a look at what power of burner you should buy according to your house size.
- Small Size Home: 40,000 BTU – 60,000 BTU
- Medium Size Home: 60,000 BTU – 100,000 BTU
- Large Size Home: 100,000 BTU plus
2. Recommended Heating Space
Most burners would come with a recommended heating space that specifies the size of the environment they can effectively heat. You would find it in sq ft and always check before buying to ensure you buy one that suits your heating space.
Small burners are effectively in 200 sq ft – 500 sq ft of range, while basic standard sizes are most effective in 1000 sq ft – 1500 sq ft. It keeps going in increasing order with higher models.
3. Fuel Type
Well, you might be thinking that it is a wood stove burner, so it would just operate on wood as its primary fuel source. Well, most of them work on fuel just fine, but you will also find some wood stove burner that uses artificial wood for showcase and operates on other fuels on gases and coal.
Also, check what kind of wood works best with your burner as you also need to check the availability of the best wood in your area to utilize your burner best.
4. Maximum Log Length
When using a wood burner, you will want to have the one with at least an 18 inches maximum log capacity as anything below that will burn out in two or three hours, and you would have to keep replacing it.
Most of the large burners use 22 inches logs, too, and they can burn for as long as 6 hours in one go, but they will increase the size of the burner overall. If you don’t have the space available to place large burners, you might want to find one of the suitable sizes and provide a proper log length support.
5. Size of the Burner
Size is a crucial factor that you should always check before buying any burner. You can either go for an indoor or outdoor wood stove burner, the outdoor one will be smaller in size to make it compact and portable as you can’t carry a massive burner with you all along.
The actual decision comes when choosing one for indoor use, depending on the space where you want to place the burner, you need to consider the size. If you have ample space available and your home is 3,000 sq ft plus in size, you should opt for something like Ashley Hearth AW3200E-P Wood Burning Stove with Blower.
In case you have a small home and can’t install such large-size burners, you can go for something smaller, but bear in mind it will have a smaller maximum log size and possibility less heat output.
6. Efficient Heating
You always need to keep in mind the environment and also your overall budget. A good wood stove burner will produce less smoke and effectively burn the wood to create the maximum heat.
The Environmental Protection Agency is an official agency that protects the environment and recommends burners with a maximum of 5 grams of smoke per hour; anything below will save you money on wood and provide more heat in the same amount of heat protecting the environment.
7. Burn Time
Burn time refers to how long a burner can burn with the maximum capacity of fuel provided. This is where efficiency comes in place; a good burner with a large log capacity and efficient heating system will burn for as long as 6 hours which is enough to keep you warm the whole night.
Some burners can burn for longer using the same amount of wood as others, this could be for various reasons, but one of the main ones is that they might be producing less heat. Large burners that need to provide warmth as much as 100,000 BTU/h need to burn more wood than lower ones.
8. Price
The price of a wood burner often depends on the quality of body, size, and heat output capacity. You can find most of the normal-sized wood burners at $600 – $1200, and you will find decent ones in this price range.
But if you want something for a bigger house, you might need to increase your budget or sacrifice some features, such as durability of body, maximum log size of heat output.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the longest burning wood stove?
The burn time of a burner depends on various factors such as log size, efficient heating, and wood quality. If you want one that will burn for the longest, you need to choose a wood stove burner that covers all these factors perfectly.
One such burner is Drolet Blackcomb II Medium 2020 EPA Certified Wood Stove.
What is an average lifespan of a wood stove burner?
A typical burner can last as long as 12 years to 20 years but dramatically depends on the body’s quality and materials used.
It also depends on the weight to BTU ratio; the lower the ratio, the lesser the lifespan a burner will have. Premium wood stove burner has a high weight to BTU ratio and can easily last for 20 years if maintained properly.
Can a wood burner heat up the entire house?
Earlier it was a misconception that a wood burner is only good as a fireplace in small rooms or single rooms, but with large burners being produced that as capable of generating heat as much as 100,000 BTU, they can efficiently heat up even the large houses very well.
Should I opt for a gas burner or wood burner?
You should always prefer the wood burners as they are cheaper to maintain and will provide more efficient heating in the long run, and harm your surroundings less compared to gas burners that emit harmful gases in large quantities.
What is the best place to install a wood stove burner?
You can open for a burner with a stand that can be moved here and there or insert one that needs to be installed.
I would suggest you install it somewhere in the middle of the house, such as a living room or such places that quickly access all parts of the house so the heat can travel faster and reach the entire house more efficiently and without wasting any extra energy.
