| Given all the variety in today's wood burning stove | | | | Designer materials like pewter and |
| market, when you come to the point of actually | | | | soapstone--offered in an array of colors--give you |
| buying a stove for your house, the prospect can be | | | | some opportunities to make your stove a |
| intimidating. The good news is that it doesn't need to | | | | conversation piece, but no drop-off in heating ability. |
| be. Here are a few tips to make the buying process | | | | So relax and enjoy this part. It's your call. |
| as simple as possible. | | | | Third, list any "super powers" your stove should |
| First, choose a wood stove that matches your home | | | | possess. |
| size. | | | | This is kind of obvious, but what could be worse |
| Several factors are involved here. In a nutshell, you | | | | than buying your stove, only to make a painful |
| need to decide what you want your wood stove to | | | | discovery a few weeks later? "Hey, where's that |
| accomplish. Are you heating a single room, a floor, or | | | | built-in spit for roasting small pigs and turkeys?" More |
| your entire house? Once you after that question, | | | | seriously, you should ask yourself, "Do I need a |
| you'll be able to decide what size category you | | | | wood stove with a cooking surface? How about an |
| should be looking at. | | | | ash pan for easy maintenance? Do I have to have a |
| Fortunately, on the technology side of things, any | | | | removable fire screen?" |
| new-model stove you buy will be certified by the | | | | By identifying any non-negotiable features, you'll |
| Environmental Protection Agency. This means, | | | | make your search more focused and make sure you |
| practically, that the stoves you consider will all | | | | don't regret your decision down the road. With all the |
| produce clean, radiant, efficient heat--so there's no | | | | manufacturers in the market today, someone is sure |
| need to get too concerned about so-called spec | | | | to be making the stove you're looking for. So take |
| numbers like Btu output and square footage ratings. | | | | your time as you compile your feature list. These |
| At best, these numbers are very general estimates, | | | | options pertain to convenience and aesthetics--not |
| because they are not standardized, and vary widely | | | | vital heating ability--so don't sweat it. |
| depending on factors like climate, fuel, and house | | | | Finally, purchase your wood burning stove from a |
| type. That's why stove size is the best way to guide | | | | trustworthy dealer. |
| your decision making. | | | | In the past, brick and mortar stores were the default |
| Second, pick out your favorite designs and materials. | | | | place to buy wood stoves--and there continue to be |
| If buying a wood stove is part art, part science (I | | | | reasons to buy locally, such as the opportunity to |
| think it is), here's where the art kicks in. After you | | | | talk with an experienced dealer and inspect floor |
| know what size you need, you can cut loose and let | | | | models first hand. Of course, buying via the internet |
| your sense of style be your guide. Case in point: | | | | is also a viable route today, and this may be even |
| welded steel is cheaper than cast iron and just as | | | | more true if you have a clear idea of what you're |
| durable--but if you're looking for class, it's likely that | | | | looking for. If that's the case, then shopping around |
| the clean, sculpted lines of iron stoves will catch your | | | | online may lead to discounts. A good online store will |
| eye. | | | | have generous return policies and reps to address |
| Go ahead and decide, "Am I looking for heating | | | | any questions you have. Whether you buy local or |
| output only, or heating and style?" In terms of | | | | online, by doing your research, you're setting the |
| sturdiness and efficiency, there's virtually no | | | | stage for a happy purchase. |
| difference between iron and welded steel stoves. | | | | |