Free-standing solid-fuel heating stoves come in three basic types. Pellet stoves burn pellets made of compressed sawdust. Wood stoves burn logs. And multi-fuel stoves burn pellets and/or feed corn or other biomass fuels such as cherry pits or corn cobs. Look for UL certification on pellet stoves, since they use electrical wiring, and EPA certification on wood stoves. Some wood stoves are labeled "EPA exempt," but experts say to avoid these unless you're desperate for cheap heat, have lots of wood to burn and they're legal in your area.

  • Avoid using pellet and wood stoves in areas with air-pollution problems. Even the best pellet and wood stoves -- rated for the lowest emissions -- pollute the air more than gas or propane. Check local regulations first. Your state or local community may prohibit certain types of heating stoves, and not all models may be installed in mobile homes. If you want to rely on your stove as your only source of heat, be sure your area doesn't have rules that prohibit the use of wood or pellet stoves during periods of high air pollution.
  • Fuel availability is crucial in choosing the best stove. Consider projections for the future as well as current availability. If possible, hedge your bets by choosing a multi-fuel stove or a wood stove (since in most places it's possible to find wood of some kind). If you can buy a more efficient wood or pellet stove, you'll save money in the long run by using less fuel over the years. The cheapest stoves use much more fuel, and fuel prices are apt to go up as demand increases.
  • Consider the venting costs. Your installation and venting may require a building permit and inspection fees. A wood stove requires a chimney -- which must be insulated after it passes through the first ceiling. A pellet stove requires a smaller, less expensive 3-inch vent pipe. Both stove types perform best when a pipe provides outside air for burning, and the through-the-wall air kit costs extra too.
  • Budget for extra accessories. Both types of stove need a hearth or other floor protection. Since a pellet stove usually includes a circuit board, it should be plugged into a good surge protector. Wood stoves don't need electricity but require even more accessories: a hearth pad, stovepipe thermometer, ash bucket, log holder, log carrier, fire tools -- and quite possibly, some heat shielding. If you cut and split your firewood yourself, you need even more equipment (and good accident insurance).
  • Optional heat-circulating blowers get mixed reviews. Experts say it's best to try a wood or pellet stove first without a blower, since heat often circulates well by natural convection.
  • Spring is usually the best time to buy. In past years, pellet and wood stove prices have been lowest in the spring, after peak demand. The same is true of firewood, wood pellets and other solid fuels so you can stock up.
  • A big ash pan that's easy to empty will ease regular maintenance chores. Some models make it hard for a child to accidentally open the ash pan -- a big plus. Some basic budget stoves lack ash pans altogether.
  • For pellet stoves, look for 12-volt fans and a backup battery. The backup battery automatically kicks in if the electricity goes out, even if you're away. A 12-volt system is easy to hook to a regular car or marine battery; otherwise you'll need a pellet stove that comes with an optional adapter. On a 120-volt system, you can use a backup uninterrupted power supply (UPS) but it won't last as long as a car battery. If you're home most of the time, you can use a portable generator instead.
  • For pellet stoves, a thermostat and automatic ignition are convenient. If you're home most of the time, you can save money by choosing a more basic model without these features. However, a thermostat and automatic ignition can save money in the long run by keeping the home at a set temperature even while you're away.
  • Consider noise. If at all possible, listen to a demonstration model to see how loud the fans are. All pellet stoves make noise from the fans and from pellets dropping from the hopper, but owners say that some stoves are much louder than others.
  • Make sure the pellet hopper or firebox is big enough. Small pellet hoppers mean more frequent refilling so a large hopper is important if you work away from home. For a wood stove, too small a firebox leads to building fires that stay too hot -- which experts say can lessen the stove's durability.
  • Wood stoves must be the right size. Though some experts advise erring on the large size, most experts say that a stove that's too large can also be a big problem. Wood stoves have optimal loads and burn rates for low emissions and high efficiency, so consulting an expert dealer is a wise step.
  • Consider more than maximum BTU rating. For wood stoves, heat output depends on the type of wood and how dry it is. Look for a manufacturer's stated average heat output over the whole burning cycle. Keep in mind that you may not always have the best firewood to burn. Note that manufacturers usually provide a figure for maximum BTUs per hour, but in practice, heat output is less than that for most of the burning cycle.
  • For wood stoves, the best type depends on your usage. For quick radiant heat, look for a sheet-steel stove -- but the heat output will diminish as the fire burns down. For longer, steadier heat -- best if you burn wood all winter long -- look for cast iron or even better, soapstone or masonry. A cabinet-style wood stove works more by convection, not giving much radiant warmth but safer around kids, pets and woodworking shop.
  • Look for a long burn time. The best wood stoves can keep a fire going overnight or even better, while you're away all day at work. In consistently cold weather, this means you only build a fire from scratch once; the rest of the season you're just adding a load of wood about twice a day.
  • Side loading is convenient. Owners report that it's easier to load logs through a side door than from a door on the top or front. Some say that opening the front door tends to spill out ashes and smoke.
  • A self-cleaning glass window adds visual interest. Most people enjoy watching a fire, and the wood stove or pellet stove can be the focal point of the room.
  • Be sure to install a fire extinguisher, smoke detector and carbon monoxide monitor. Experts recommend these for every home anyway, but it's best to have an extra fire extinguisher next to the heating stove as well as at the exits.

Back to top