Wood-burning, cast iron, oven/stove.

[shastacles]

I am considering installing a cast iron fireplace. I have seen a number of different types, at different hardware stores, all of which have a top that could be used to cook on, and one that actually has an oven.

Apparently, according to the store owners, this particular wood stove is capable of heating 1000 square feet.

I also could install an actual fireplace, a friend of mine is a contractor.

I would like some suggestions, pros, cons, your own feedback, etc.

All help is appreciated.

--shas

[BeWell]

By cast iron fireplace do you mean a free standing stove or something in the wall?

I use a cast iron wood stove for heating and prefer it over any other heat source. Recently bought a wood cook stove as well. If a cook stove gets too hot (like in heating up 1000 sf) then it's too hot to cook on.

[Freeholder]

For both heating and cooking, the wood stove will be superior. Also, a fireplace sends most of it's heat up the chimney, wasting a lot of firewood (you'll need more wood with a fireplace than with a wood stove).

Personally, I enjoy having the open fire of a fireplace, and I like cooking on an open fire (though it does soot up the bottoms of the pots). But firewood is either expensive if you have to buy it, or a lot of work if you are cutting your own, so go for the most efficient option.

Kathleen

[shastacles]

By cast iron fireplace do you mean a free standing stove or something in the wall?

I use a cast iron wood stove for heating and prefer it over any other heat source. Recently bought a wood cook stove as well. If a cook stove gets too hot (like in heating up 1000 sf) then it's too hot to cook on.

free-standing

[Summerthyme]

First question is.. why?

What kind of climate do you have, and how much heating/cooking do you intend for this unit to do?

Any of those basic sheet metal box stoves are going to be less than desirable for efficient heat on a regular basis. However, even a cheap box stove will be more efficient than a fireplace.

Fireplaces- unless you put a stove insert in them- waste more heat than they generate. It goes right up the chimney. They are pretty... not much beats the ambiance of an open fire... but very impractical for heat.

If you can, do some major research of any brand/model you are considering. I suspect you can find personal opinions, stories and ratings on the 'net for most models if you look.

And remember how important proper installation is, including fireproof materials below and behind the stove. You also need to plan for a wood storage area (both indoors and out.... most folks carry enough wood inside for 24 hours or so, unless their outdoor wood pile is far from the house, in which case they might bring in a week's worth at a time), and a way to safely remove ashes frequently- which often still have hot coals hidden in them.

If this is more than simply an "emergency" stove, and unless you have a good source of cheap or free firewood, you may be better spending a little more on the stove itself, and getting a more efficient model.

If you're only getting it "just in case" the power goes off... the cheaper models may be ok.

Summerthyme

[north runner]

I have a Jotul and watching the fire is nice. :)

[Ruckmanite]

Avoid the fireplace if you really want to heat with it.

I've got an Avalon wood stove. It is steel plate, with etched glass, brass door, and is a beautiful wood stove. It has twin blowers on the bottom, and can be inserted into an existing fireplace if necessary. Had it 9 years now, original gasket, blower, the works. Built very well.

http://www.woodheat.org/technology/woodstoves.htm

Fireplaces are notoriously inefficient heaters. Wood stoves are 60-70% typically. Jotul and Lopi are well known brands. IIRC, Jotul's are cast iron stoves that don't have blowers attached. But, their flat tops and high surface temperatures allow for cooking on the top.

Plate steel stoves typically don't have a cook top, but do have blowers to help move the air. Do the research, find the stove that fits your place. A word of caution though. If your house is only 1000 square feet, and you size the stove accordingly (it will be one of the smaller models), then you will not have large log capacity nor long overnight burn capacity.

You have to bump up the stove size to get a larger firebox.

[shastacles]

If I went the fireplace route, installing one without a stove insert would not be an option. An open fire is nice to look at, but the inability for it to heat effectively disqualifies it.

[janetn]

Woodstove, Woodstove Woodstove :D Im not biased or anything :wink:
Seriously a woodstove is by far the way to go. You can get them with glass doors so you can have the pleasure of viewing the fire. I have a Napoleon woodstove, going on 12 years and I have no complaints. My stove has a glass door and a grate on the top for cooking. Its very efficient on wood and moderatly priced too

[CGTech]

Well, we just went thru a 31 hour power outage due to our second winter storm of the season.

We have two, one air tight in the living room:

http://www.geocities.com/cherrygrovetech/mag_026.jpg

and an Elmira, complete with water jacket and oven, in the kitchen:

http://www.geocities.com/cherrygrovetech/mag_028.jpg

Wood stove works for me everytime. They are what we use to heat with all winter long, we don't have any other source of heat. Keeps the house warm with temps -30 or better.

[momof23goats]

I have a wood furnace in the basement, a home comfort wood /coal cook stove, and a really huge pot bellie, so I am going to tell you, wood stove, you won't be sorry, get the wood stove. much better at heating than a fireplace.
my potbellie, is for back up.

[shastacles]

I have a wood furnace in the basement, a home comfort wood /coal cook stove, and a really huge pot bellie, so I am going to tell you, wood stove, you won't be sorry, get the wood stove. much better at heating than a fireplace.
my potbellie, is for back up.

Maybe I'm asking the question poorly. I am trying to decide between a stand-alone wood stove, and a stand-alone wood oven. I would consider a fireplace with an insert, but thats pretty much out.

How well does a wood oven heat? I was told pretty well by the salesman.

[CGTech]

I have a wood furnace in the basement, a home comfort wood /coal cook stove, and a really huge pot bellie, so I am going to tell you, wood stove, you won't be sorry, get the wood stove. much better at heating than a fireplace.
my potbellie, is for back up.

Maybe I'm asking the question poorly. I am trying to decide between a stand-alone wood stove, and a stand-alone wood oven. I would consider a fireplace with an insert, but thats pretty much out.

How well does a wood oven heat? I was told pretty well by the salesman.

The Elmira model we have works quite well, only beef I have with it is it is not an airtight model. So it does go thru more wood than the other one.

[momof23goats]

my home comfort wood cook stove works fine. the oven works great. I love it. works great for me. and bakes bread really nice. I( use it alot.

[Shuswap]

Shastacles, Recently purchased what I believe is the cadillac of wood stoves. It is made by meal time stove (google it) This is an Amish outfit, I believe they are in both the USA and Canada. It is a very big wood cook stove. The fire box is air tight and fuylly capable of heating 1000 sq ft. The oven is big 8 loaves of bread and stainless steel. Very solidly built , but not fancy. It would be the ideal survial tool. Lookin at 3000 dollars, but a great stove.

Shuswap

[momof23goats]

those are the best stoves. I know 2 people that have them, and thye are wonderful. If I ever get a new one , it will be one of these.