Wood stoves are efficient space heaters that have been a popular means for heating homes in country areas of America and Europe since the eighteenth century. Made of cast iron or steel plate, and in some cases incorporating heat-retentive soapstone, there are many brands of wood stoves in a great variety of styles and sizes. Restored antique wood stoves, outdoor wood stoves and reproductions of old designs are available from specialist suppliers such as Jotul woodburning stoves and Morso woodburning stoves.
Old wood stoves are mostly designed to be freestanding, although they are also available in the form of a woodstove fireplace. Essentially a woodburning stove is an enclosed chamber that is provided with a regulator for controlling the air flow. The fuel burns slowly and completely, the heat released being absorbed by the casing and then radiated out into the room. A stovepipe fitted into the top of old wood stoves carries away the smoke, and also helps the radiation of the heat. Hinged doors, which may be glazed, or a removable top plate, give access for loading fuel. Some woodburning stoves have a decorative top, while others provide a flat surface that can serve as a hotplate. Woodburning stoves can also come with piping to provide heat through ducting, and compact models are available as woodburning stoves for mobile homes.
The general trend towards the use of cleaner fuels and central heating in the twentieth century meant that old fireplaces and woodburning stoves became redundant in many homes. However there is now a resurgence of interest in traditional heating methods, and many disused fireplaces are being opened up or woodburning stoves installed.
It is easy to be tempted by an attractive woodburning stove, but make sure when buying one, that it has been restored effectively and/or is in genuinely good order. If you purchase an antique woodburning stove and intend to use it, establish that it is safe to use and that it meets your heating requirements. Consult woodburning stove makers such as Aurora woodburning stoves or Buck woodburning stoves should you have any doubts.
A modern reproduction woodburning stove such as those made by King woodburning stoves, burn a variety of fuels that make them more ideal if you are planning to use a woodburning stove as your main source of heating, since most antique woodburning stoves are not airtight, and are therefore much less efficient heat producers.
In theory it is possible to fit a freestanding woodburning stove yourself. Nevertheless it is advisable to read woodburning stove reviews and other sources for woodburning stoves, and to employ or fully consult a specialist installer or manufacturer, such as Lopi wood burning stoves. Not only will they inform you of the most efficient wood burning stoves, but they will have knowledge of the relevant installation standards and regulations, that are always constantly changing. Most wood burning stove suppliers readily offer advice plus an installation service designed to suit their customers' needs.
