How to Choose the Correct Wood Stove Size for Your HomeBy JHCadmin, November 1, 2010 Have you ever sat in a room heated by a wood-burning stove and felt stifled?That’s because the stove was too large for the room it was in. A stove that’s “too big for its britches” forces you to shut down the bypass and air control, thus reducing the air supply into the stove. When you reduce the air supply, you decrease the stove’s efficiency, waste fuel, and the stove’s window turns black.If you’re burning your stove hot enough, on the other hand, the window of your stove should never turn black, and your stove should hold the fire for 8-10 hours.There are three types of wood stoves:Low heating capacityMedium heating capacityLarge heating capacityTo determine which size is best for your space, run through the following checklist:1. How much square footage do you plan to heat with the stove? If you need to heat only one large room, or a vacation home that you visit a few times per year, a small stove will do.If you plan to heat an entire floor or a 1-2 bedroom home, choose a medium stove.For a large home (or a moderate-size home in a cold climate), consider a large stove.2. Where will the stove be located?In what room – and what part of the room – will your stove be located? If possible, you’ll want the air to circulate into other areas of your home so the room the stove is in doesn’t get super-heated. A free-standing stove in the back corner of your family room might not allow for easy airflow into other rooms. In that case, purchasing a smaller stove to heat just the one room might be your best bet.Even stoves with small heating capacities come in different dimensions, so you must precisely measure the space where your stove will go so you make sure it fits.3. What will you use the stove for?If your wood stove is mainly for ambiance or as an emergency heat source during a power outage, choose a smaller stove.If you’re going to cook on your wood stove, you’ll want to investigate models that come with cooktops and warming surfaces.If a wood stove stove will be your home’s primary (or only) heat source, consider investing in multiple stoves so every area of your home stays toasty.The sales consultants at any of Rich’s five Puget Sound showrooms – in Lynnwood, Bellevue, Southcenter, Tacoma, and Silverdale – will be happy to help you determine the correct stove size for your space and will point out several models that would be appropriate for your home.Here’s a helpful video from our friends at Travis Industries, manufacturer of the Lopi, Avalon, and Fireplace Xtrordinair (FPX) brands of wood stoves: Chapter 4 from Travis Industries on Vimeo. Recent Articles See All Fire Dining Tables: Warmth and Ambiance Year-Round Decorating Your Outdoor RoomFire PitsOutdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:November 1, 2023 It’s a great time of year to enjoy a delicious meal al fresco around a fire dining table. These tables feature a built-in fire pit in the center, which provides both warmth and ambiance. Read More 5 Advantages of Kamado Joe Grills Grills Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:October 1, 2023 5 advantages kamado-style grills have over conventional charcoal grills, PLUS two of our favorites from Kamado Joe: Classic Joe III and Big Joe III. Read More Infrared Saunas: Relax at Home from the Inside Out Saunas Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:September 1, 2023 Eight benefits of relaxing in an infrared sauna, plus our favorite saunas by Health Mate: the Enrich, Inspire, and Essential series. Read More Outdoor Lanterns Add Dramatic Elegance: Tempest Torch and Tempest Lantern Tempest Torch Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:August 1, 2023 Gas lamps dramatic elegance to outdoor spaces. Learn about Tempest Torches and Tempest Lanterns. Read More 5 Trends in Luxury Outdoor Furnishings for 2023 Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:July 1, 2023 Create a stylish, comfortable, multi-functional outdoor oasis that you’ll love spending time in. Read More Complete Fire Pits by Fire Garden: Big, Bold, Beautiful Flames Fire Pits Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:June 1, 2023 Dreaming of a fully-assembled, weatherproof fire pit that provides cozy warmth year-round? Check out Complete Fire Pits, a new line of fire pits manufactured locally by our friends at Travis Industries. Read More