Instantly transform any space into a warm and inviting haven with a wood stove. Whether you’re looking to create a cozy atmosphere in your living room or family room, or bring warmth to your cabin retreat, a wood stove is an excellent solution. But what if you’re unsure which one to choose from the many options available? Fear not! We’ve compiled a comprehensive review of the top-performing wood stoves on the market, helping you make an informed decision for your unique needs.
The 8 Best Wood Stoves
When it comes to wood burning stoves for camping, there are numerous options available in the market. Some of the most popular brands include Winnerwell Nomad, Medium, and Wood Burning Stove. EcoZoom also offers a range of products, including their Dura Rocket Stove that is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. For those looking for something more portable, US Stove’s BK1000 Barrel Camp Stove Kit or Ashley Hearth’s AW1120E-P Wood Stove might be the way to go.
TMS Portable Military Camping Wood Stove and Fltom Camp Tent Stove are also great options for those who want a more compact stove. For solo campers, Solo Stove Campfire Wood Burning Stove is an excellent choice. Lastly, Ohuhu Camping Stove offers a unique and innovative approach to wood burning stoves.
Our Top Pick for the Best Wood Stove
The crème de la crème of wood stoves, in our opinion, is the Ashley Hearth AW1120E- P Wood Stove. This exceptional piece of craftsmanship is designed to provide unparalleled warmth and coziness during the winter months, rendering expensive electrical heaters or messy gas heaters obsolete. With its robust build quality and efficient performance, this stove is a shrewd investment that will have you making excuses to stay home and bask in its comforting warmth.
To get your hands on this gem, simply check the current price on Amazon.
How to Choose the Best Wood Stove
When shopping for a wood stove, the quest begins with considering the size and heating capacity, tailored to meet your specific needs. But there’s more to the search than just these fundamental factors. Durability, combustion technology, and heat output are all crucial elements to keep in mind. What initially seems like a straightforward purchase – a simple wood stove – quickly evolves into a multifaceted evaluation.
Durability
Wood stoves can be crafted from either welded steel or cast iron, with both materials offering equivalent heating performance. However, their prices and appearances differ significantly. Cast iron wood stoves boast elegant curves and intricate relief designs, but this aesthetic comes at a higher cost, as well as the need for periodic maintenance to rebuild and reseal joints between panels, ensuring a tight seal and optimal combustion.
In contrast, welded steel wood stoves are more affordable and feature a sleeker appearance. Despite their differences in price and design, both materials appear to be equally durable. Yet, it’s essential to inspect the welding quality, particularly in lower-cost models where key components may not be designed for prolonged use over multiple winter seasons.
Combustion Technology
There are two primary types of combustion technology used in stoves: catalytic and non-catalytic combustion. While both methods are effective, they operate differently and have distinct characteristics. The catalytic combustion process involves a smoky exhaust that passes through a ceramic honeycomb coated with a catalyst, situated deep within the stove. This results in a prolonged solid heat output.
These types of stoves typically feature a bypass damper, operated by a level mechanism, for initiating the fire and loading wood. However, operating this type of stove can be somewhat complex, as it requires a certain temperature range to engage the catalyst. Over time, the catalyst may become damaged and will need replacement. With proper use, a catalytic stove can last at least six seasons, but misuse can reduce its lifespan to just two years.
In contrast, non-catalytic combustion occurs directly within the firebox itself. This process relies on three key components: an insulated firebox, diverted gas flow via a baffle, and air introduced around the top of the firebox through small openings. Non-catalytic ovens tend to produce a peak heat output, accompanied by a visually appealing fire that many people enjoy. However, periodic replacement of parts is necessary due to the high temperatures involved.
Emissions
When shopping for a wood stove, it’s crucial to ensure that it complies with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) mandatory smoke emission limits. For catalytic wood stoves, this means they must emit no more than 4.1 grams of smoke per hour. Non-catalytic stoves, on the other hand, are subject to a stricter limit of 7.5 grams of smoke per hour.
To avoid buying a stove that doesn’t meet these standards, it’s essential to verify EPA certification before making a purchase, particularly when considering more affordable options that may not meet these requirements.
Heat Output
The heat output of a stove is typically measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs), with most stoves ranging from 25,000 to 80,000 BTUs. While it’s tempting to opt for a stove with an impressive BTU rating, the truth is that your average home only requires around 5,000-20,000 BTUs per hour. This means that even a moderately-sized stove should be more than capable of providing sufficient heat, eliminating the need for a high-output model.
Heating Capacity
When choosing a stove, it’s essential to consider the unique factors of your living environment. Climate plays a significant role, as stoves designed for US homes may not perform equally well in Canadian climates. Manufacturers often provide broad square footage ranges to account for these regional variations. However, this alone is an unreliable indicator of a stove’s heating capacity.
Other crucial factors include the age and insulation quality of your home, as older structures can lose heat quickly. The type of wood used for fuel also affects performance – softer woods like spruce produce less heat than hardwoods like maple. To make an informed decision, consider these variables alongside the stove’s size. Stoves come in three sizes: small, medium, and large, with their firebox volumes influencing their overall performance.
Small stoves have a volume under 2-cubic-feet, suitable for heating one large room or a small cabin. Medium stoves, with a volume between 2-3-cubic-feet, can heat smaller to medium-sized homes. Large stoves, with a volume over 3-cubic-feet, are designed to warm larger homes with open floor plans or those that struggle to retain heat.
8 Best Wood Stoves – Reviews
Winnerwell Nomad Medium Wood Burning Stove
The Winnerwell Nomad Medium Wood Burning Stove is a versatile camping companion, capable of providing both warmth and culinary delights. Its durable 304 stainless steel construction ensures it heats quickly, remains rust-free, and boasts a sturdy four-legged design that keeps it stable. The stove’s flat top, measuring 800 cubic inches, offers ample space for cooking and boiling water.
Weighing only 20 pounds, the Nomad is effortless to transport, thanks to its lightweight composition and clever side wire shelves that double as handles. When not in use, the stove’s unique four-leg folding design allows it to be easily stowed away, while the chimney pipe sections nest neatly within the stove’s body. Additional features include a glass viewing window, wire grate, decorative twisted metal handle, pipe damper for effortless startup, and ash scraper.
With its compact size and robust performance, the Nomad is an excellent choice for wilderness enthusiasts seeking to warm up their campsite or cook a meal on the go.
EcoZoom Dura Rocket Stove
The EcoZoom Dura Rocket Stove stands out for its versatility, capable of burning not just wood but also other dry solid biomass. Its rugged design makes it an ideal choice for camping or off-grid living, and its durability ensures it can withstand daily use in developing countries where a reliable cooking solution is crucial.
The stove’s insulated combustion chamber features abrasion-resistant materials that effectively mix gases with flames when in use, significantly reducing hazardous emissions through optimized burn efficiency. Additionally, the metal liner boosts the stove’s lifespan by improving combustion efficiency. The reinforced metal door frame and socket system provide added durability, while the new 3-pronged cast iron top offers enhanced stability for various pot and pan sizes.
For safe handling, the durable stainless steel handles are wrapped in stay-cool silicone, enabling users to move the stove safely even when it’s hot. With its efficient portable design, this camping stove is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and those preparing for emergencies. Its features include very efficient cooking, portability, and the ability to burn wood and biomass without relying on gas or propane.
While some may find the lack of indoor use a drawback, the EcoZoom Dura Rocket Stove’s numerous advantages make it an excellent choice for many.
US Stove BK1000 Barrel Camp Stove Kit
The US Stove BK1000 Barrel Camp Stove Kit is an all-encompassing package that empowers users to transform a 36 or 55-gallon steel drum into a functional stove. This comprehensive kit includes a door, legs, flue collar with damper, and all necessary mounting hardware. The BSK1000 Barrel Stove kit is ideal for rustic cabins, workshops, or pole barns, offering a straightforward solution for those seeking a basic stove setup.
Notably, users can expand the stove’s capacity by utilizing a second barrel, effectively doubling its size. The kit’s construction features heavy-duty cast iron, ensuring sturdiness and increased safety. Key features include converting a steel drum into a wood stove, made from durable cast iron, and allowing for attachment of a second barrel to increase overall heating capacity. Additionally, the kit includes easy-to-assemble components, such as door, legs, flue collar, and mounting hardware.
This setup can efficiently heat an area of approximately 800 square feet, making it a cost-effective option for those seeking affordable warmth. While some customers have expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the design, specifically the flue and pipe arrangement and handle assembly, the kit’s overall value and simplicity remain notable advantages.
Ashley Hearth AW1120E-P Wood Stove
The Ashley Hearth AW1120E-P Wood Stove is an elegant and powerful heating solution that can be the focal point of any room. With its maximum heat output of 68,000 BTUs, it’s well-suited for heating a medium-sized space of around 1,200 square feet. The stove features a charcoal black finish and stylish nickel-pewter trim, with a sturdy pedestal base and heavy cast iron door that has a brushed nickel handle.
The air-washed ceramic glass window provides an unobstructed view of the flames as they dance inside the firebox, which is lined with bricks to enhance heat retention and burning efficiency. This freestanding design allows for easy installation in any part of your home, providing cozy warmth during the chilly fall season or harsh winter weather. You can also use the top plate to heat water for a steaming cup of coffee or cocoa.
The stove has a large integrated ash pan that makes cleanup a breeze, and it’s environmentally friendly and safe to use indoors and even in a mobile home, thanks to its UL-listing and compliance with 2020 EPA guidelines. Ashley Hearth offers a 90-day return policy, a limited lifetime warranty on the firebox, and a 1-year warranty on all other parts.
While this stove has many advantages, including great quality, excellent value for money, easy installation, and a powerful design, it may not be suitable for larger spaces and its firebox only fits a moderate amount of wood. Additionally, cooking is not recommended with this stove, and the blower must be purchased separately.
TMS Portable Military Camping Wood Stove
Imagine cozying up inside your tent or cabin on a cold winter’s day, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of the TMS Portable Military Camping Wood Stove. This rugged wood stove is built to last with its super strong rolled steel construction, making it perfect for use both indoors and outdoors. With an attractive charcoal black finish, this wood stove combines style with functionality.
The ample cooktop space allows you to prepare a variety of dishes, while the removable dual side cooking grates can be used for baking potatoes or drying wet gear. The spark arrestor and easy-access bottom ash clean-out ensure added safety and convenience. Assembly is a breeze, and TMS supplies all the necessary parts, including the flue pipe that can be extended to suit an outfitter’s tent with a stovepipe vent.
When it’s time to move on, the stove’s legs and flue can be stored inside, and the top-hinged grate doubles as a handle for easy carrying. Overall, this wood stove offers excellent value for money, with its pros far outweighing its minor cons. While it does require a flat surface to operate smoothly, and the paint may need some time to burn off before use indoors, these are relatively minor issues.
With its many benefits and few drawbacks, the TMS Portable Military Camping Wood Stove is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a reliable and versatile wood stove.
Fltom Camp Tent Stove
The Fltom Camp Tent Stove is a game-changer for camping enthusiasts. Its robust design features a double-walled firebox and heavy-duty steel construction, making it perfect for roughing it in the great outdoors. The stove’s large flat top surface allows for ample cooking space, while the full-length hinged lid provides easy access to your wood fuel source. With a sliding air intake control, you can fine-tune the fire’s intensity to suit your needs.
One of the standout features of this stove is its comprehensive setup kit. Included are six-piece flue pipe, two side shelf brackets/handles, two side shelves, collapsible legs, an ash catch tray, and fire poker – everything you need for a quick and easy setup. The flue pipe can be vertically vented to suit your living space, with a maximum height of 4.69 feet. While the stove does weigh in at 23.
1lbs, making it slightly cumbersome to move around the campsite, its sturdy legs ensure stability on uneven ground. What’s more, the detachable and portable design makes it easy to transport and store when not in use. The Fltom Camp Tent Stove is an excellent choice for base camping, fishing, or hunting expeditions, as well as for use in cabins or tiny houses. Its pros include high quality, great value for money, ease of use, and a sturdy solid steel construction.
It also boasts a large flat cooktop surface, full-length hinged lid, sliding air intake control, and comes with six-piece height-adjustable flue pipe, making it easy to use natural fuel sources like firewood, twigs, or wood chips. One of the few cons is that it’s not suitable for home use due to its weight and potential heat hazards. Additionally, the exposed metal may require repainting to prevent rust.
Solo Stove Campfire Wood Burning Stove
The Solo Stove Campfire Wood Burning Stove is a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts, allowing them to cook up a storm at the campsite with ease. As the top-recommended wood-burning camp stove by Backpacker Magazine, survivalists, and Discovery Channel’s Matt Graham, this stove has earned its reputation as an essential camping tool.
Crafted from premium-grade double-wall 304 stainless steel and nichrome wire, the Solo Stove boasts exceptional durability, making it a reliable companion for any adventure. The unique airflow hole design ensures that the fire burns hotter with minimal smoke, providing a cleaner and more efficient cooking experience. What sets this stove apart is its ability to use twigs, leaves, pine cones, and wood as fuel, eliminating the need for heavy, polluting, and expensive fuel canisters.
For optimal performance, Solo Stove recommends using dry hardwoods only. In a hurry? The Solo Stove can boil 34-Fl-ounces of water in just 2-4 minutes, allowing you to whip up a hot cup of coffee or tea after a long day of hiking. You can even use the stove’s top surface to cook eggs and bacon for 2-4 people. Weighing in at just 2.2lbs and measuring 6.7 x 7-inches in height, the Solo Stove is incredibly lightweight and compact, making it easy to set up and pack away in your backpack.
The included ash pan and nylon stuff sack ensure that your stove stays safe and organized. As an added bonus, Solo Stove offers a lifetime guarantee on their woodstove, providing peace of mind for campers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Ohuhu Camping Stove
The Ohuhu Camping Stove is an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts who value eco-friendliness and ease of use. This wood stove stands out from the rest with its innovative design, featuring a sturdy stainless steel construction that combines style and functionality. The three-arm base support system ensures a stable and even heating surface, making it perfect for cooking in windy or grassy environments.
Fuelled by nature, this stove can be powered by dried twigs, leaves, pine cones, and wood, which are freely available in most outdoor settings. Alternatively, solidified alcohol tablets can also be used as fuel. Weighing only 14.2 ounces and measuring 5.3 x 3 inches when collapsed, the stove is lightweight and compact enough to fit comfortably into your camping gear. A mesh carry bag is included for easy transportation, making it simple to sling over your shoulder while hiking.
Setup is quick and effortless, with the wood stove ready to cook up a hot meal in just a few minutes. The bonus grill grid allows you to start cooking immediately, and the 12-month replacement or refund policy provided by Ohuhu offers added peace of mind. The pros of this camping stove include its high-quality construction, excellent value for money, and fantastic price. It’s perfect for backpackers, offering a sturdy and stylish design that provides even heating performance.
The stove is environmentally friendly, producing no chemical emissions and requiring no fuel canisters or alcohol. Additionally, the compact and lightweight design makes it easy to transport. However, some users may find the small design limitations, such as difficulty seeing the fire or adding wood without lifting a pot or pan. Regular maintenance is also necessary to prevent rust, and the wood needs to be kept lower than the secondary combustion holes to avoid unwanted smoke.
Our Top Pick for the Best Wood Stove
Our top recommendation for an outstanding wood stove experience is the Ashley Hearth AW1120E-P Wood Stove. This exceptional product surpasses the need for pricey electrical heaters or cumbersome gas heaters, providing a cozy and inviting atmosphere that will keep you and your loved ones warm and toasty during the colder winter months.
Constructed with durability in mind, this wood stove offers an impressive performance, making it a worthwhile investment that will have you eager to linger by the fireplace, basking in its comforting warmth.
