Woodstoves

Which is better, a radiant woodstove or a circulating woodstove? The answer depends on the type of installation.

All EPA-certified stoves have certain elements in common: Each incorporates a much-improved method of injecting combustion air into the firebox of the stove. The goal is to provide air in all the right places, to maximize the mixture of air and fuel, thereby maximizing combustion.

Here is a simple guide to the types of new, EPA-certified stoves you will see in your local stove shop, and how they work. An understanding of these basic categories will simplify your stove shopping.

Since EPA-certified stoves are a recent phenomenon, there are lots of older, pre-EPA stoves in use including Franklin woodstoves, non-airtight stoves and some that are airtight.

The wood stove industry has made huge technological strides in recent years. EPA emission standards have resulted in new designs for cleaner, safer, more efficient wood burning.

You should have certain tools when you want to build a fire in a fireplace or woodstove. We’ll tell you about some of them.

We will discuss building a fire in a fireplace. For wood stoves, the procedure is pretty much the same, except you need to know how to operate the stove once the fire is lit.