Sponsored Links
Page: 7 of 7
In this report

See Also

Pellet and Wood Stoves: Ratings of Sources

Total of 24 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Hearth and Home Magazine
May 2008
2008 Vesta Awards
by Editors of Hearth and Home
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEach year this industry association gives awards for the best hearth-related products, including the best fireplace, wood stove and pellet stove. The 2008 wood stove award goes to the Rais Opus. Though technology continues to improve, it's worth considering 2007 winners too. The 2007 wood stove award winner was the Avalon Arbor. Unfortunately the award-winning pellet stoves are unavailable in the United States.
2. Fine Homebuilding
Sept, 10, 2008
Is Wood Heat the Answer?
by Matthew Teague
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis buyer's guide recommends masonry heaters as the most efficient wood-burning stoves -- if you can afford one -- and EPA-certified noncatalytic wood stoves as the best choice otherwise. Add-on blowers are judged not worth their extra cost. Pellet stoves earn praise for low emissions, but lose points for burning "like a blowtorch." Alternatives such as hybrid fireplaces, the Renaissance Rumford fireplace, wood furnaces and boilers also get coverage here.
3. ConsumerReports.org
Jan. 2007
Buyer's Guide to Pellet and Wood-burning Stoves
by Editors of Consumer Reports
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis article mentions 17 brands of pellet stoves and wood stoves, but doesn't test or rate any models. It's a thorough buyer's guide, however, with enough information to help decide whether or not a pellet- or wood-burning stove would be a wise choice.
4. Kiplinger Personal Finance
Oct. 2005
Satisfy Your Burning Desire
by Pat Mertz Esswein
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis older article recommends four wood stoves and one pellet stove, based on advice from an experienced retailer. History of stoves and how they work is also included. None of the recommended stoves are independently tested.
5. Northerntool.com
As of Feb. 2009
Heaters, Stoves and Fireplaces
by Contributors to NorthernTool.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentOwner-written reviews at this retailer site cover a lot of different types and sizes, including cabinet-style and potbellied wood stoves as well as pellet, corn and multi-fuel stoves. A few can be used with existing ductwork. The reviews are especially useful since they include whether or not the reviewer would recommend this stove to a friend.
6. Hearth and Home Magazine
Jan. 2006
What Took So Long?
by James E. Houck
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAlthough this article is three years old, the Certified Stoves Hall of Fame is still useful, listing eight EPA-certified noncatalytic wood stoves with very low emissions. The firebox size and approximate BTU output per hour are also specified. The reviewer notes that EPA certification testing is imprecise, so stoves rated within 20 percent of each other may be equivalent.
7. PlanetGreen.com
Oct. 7, 2007
Buy Green: Pellet Stoves
by Brian Merchant
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis enthusiastic article points out the environmental advantages of pellet stoves, recommending four specific models. Though no testing is documented, the review notes the special advantages of each recommended pellet stove.
8. Mother Earth News
Winter 2008
Choosing a Wood Stove
by John Gulland
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis buyer's guide (by John Gulland, who's written for years about wood heat) uses several specific wood stove models as examples of the types covered, recommending them only by implication. No actual testing is documented, but this is a good introduction to basic considerations. Several other articles here cover wood stoves and pellet stoves
9. Gordosoft Corporation
2005-2008
Renewing an Old Flame
by "TraderGordo"
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis detailed review covers the Vermont Castings DutchWest 2479 large wood stove, with a link to a review and 10-page forum discussion of this model, along with videos of the stove in action. The anonymous author (who lives in Pennsylvania) provides an itemized list of the expenses involved in getting started with wood heat -- including a chainsaw and splitter -- plus an estimated payback time.
10. Hearth.com
As of Feb. 2009
Stove Ratings
by Contributors to Hearth.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentNearly 1,700 well-written owner reviews of heating stoves are posted here. You can search by fuel type or brand, but since the reviews of each model aren't consolidated, you may be faced with ten or twenty separate reviews of the same stove. If you've narrowed your choice down to two or three stoves, however, this is a good site to check. Dealers are also rated here, and an active forum is searchable by brand or model. The forum is also a good place to ask questions about choosing, using and repairing a heating stove.
11. ConsumerDemocracy.com
As of Feb. 2009
Reviews and Ratings in Woodstoves
by Contributors to ConsumerDemocracy.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentSeveral dozen owner-written reviews of wood-burning stoves are published here, but reviews of the same stove aren't consolidated. Thus this site is best used once you've narrowed your choice to two or three stoves.
12. Dulley.com
Not Dated
Bulletin 880: Corn/pellet Stove Heaters are Efficient, Convenient to Use
by Jim Dulley
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEnergy-saving guru Jim Dulley provides an overview of what to look for in a pellet or corn heating stove in this four-page bulletin. He lists 14 brands with their basic specifications and features, but doesn't rank or rate them -- though the brief descriptions do make some stoves stand out. Bulletin 777 covers wood-burning stoves in a similar way.
13. Wise Heat
As of Feb. 2009
Wood Stoves, Pellet Stoves, Corn Stoves
by Contributors to WiseHeat.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMost stove models haven't received many reviews yet, but the site is very active so it's worth checking. Two multi-fuel pellet stoves get reviews from enough owners to make their fairly high average ratings significant.
14. Old House Web
2005
Product Showcase: Chimneys and Stoves
by Editors of OldHouseWeb.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis site could help you narrow your choices, since the specific models chosen seem to be carefully selected for outstanding features and efficiency. However, prices are outdated and no testing is documented.
15. This Old House
Nov. 2006
Clean Heat
by Keith Pandolfi
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis article on pellet stoves describes their appeal and how they work. Another part of the article, which is no longer online, mentions three specific models, the Harman XXV, the Lennox Whitfield Profile and the Quadra-Fire Castile, but doesn't document any testing.
16. Newsweek
Oct. 24, 2005
The Tip Sheet: Renew an Old Flame
by Paul Tolme
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis very brief article recommends one pellet stove, Dell-Point Technology's Europa 75, and one wood stove, the Heritage 8021, as good examples of newer, cleaner woodburning stoves, but documents no testing or even sources.
17. Wood-Stove.org
As of Feb. 2009
Wood and Pellet Stoves
by Editors of Wood-Stove.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis retail site features a brief alphabetically arranged learning center plus additional information on several brands of stoves. The editors note that many Ashley stoves are still in use, but are less efficient than newer wood stoves by the brands carried here: Avalon, Blaze King, Century, Vermont Castings and Viking.
18. GreenYour.com
2007
Buy an EPA-certified Woodstove
by Editors of GreenYour.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis buyer's guide recommends four brands of EPA-certified wood stoves: Hearthstone, Lennox Hearth, Napoleon and Vermont Castings, but recommends buying from an expert local dealer. The article includes encouraging statistics on how much wood and "forest-derived biomass" now goes to waste -- but could be used for fuel.
19. The Chimney Sweep
As of Feb. 2009
Wood Stove Comparison Page
by Editors of The Chimney Sweep
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis chart compares wood stoves based on how many BTUs they provide over a standard six to eight-hour burn time -- i.e. overnight or while the homeowners are away all day at work. Notes explain the difference between radiant and convection wood stoves. This is a useful site, but only two brands (Hearthstone and Pacific) are covered.
20. Buzzillions.com
As of Feb. 2009
Fireplace & Stove Reviews
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMost wood-burning and pellet stoves have accumulated only a handful of reviews here, but it's still worth checking to see if the models that interest you are listed.
21. HomeDepot.com
As of Feb. 2009
Freestanding Stoves
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHome Depot publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of the pellet stoves and wood stoves sold here. It's useful to see how some stoves have held up over more than one season, but comparisons are limited because Englander is the only brand.
22. Lowes.com
As of Feb. 2009
Stoves Woodburning and Pellet
by Contributors to Lowes.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentLowe's publishes owner-written ratings of the pellet stoves and wood stoves sold here, and has begun inviting users' comments as well. The Summers Heat brand sold here is actually made by the same company as the Englander brand sold at Home Depot, with comparable models. At the time of our report, pellet stoves have gotten many more ratings than wood stoves, but pellet stoves have earned lower average ratings overall.
23. eHow.com
Not Dated
How to Choose a Biomass Stove for Heating
by Paul M. J. Suchecki
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis brief article recommends one multi-fuel heating stove, the Max Fire by Bixby Energy Systems, but doesn't document any testing or even comparison of features. Overall, the article is more enthusiastic than balanced, noting few drawbacks.
24. Wood Stove Review
As of Jan. 2009
Product Reviews
by Editors of Wood Stove Review
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThese "reviews" are really just lists of features and specifications of stoves from 12 brands. There are no charts to help compare models.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
Budget Wood Stoves
 
Sponsored Links

Back to top