With so many sizes, shapes, and now even colors to choose from it can become difficult to make a decision on which wood stove to buy. Where to find wood burning stoves for sale is also a hard task. Weigh the options before diving into a wrong decision. Cheaper is not always better. Look for a wood stove that produces maximum heat, but uses a small amount of firewood.
Benefits of a Wood Burning Stove
Wood burners are made of porcelain, soapstone, or iron with each type holding their own special benefits. First, consider the best size for the room it will occupy and the size of the home. The stove will need a ventilation system of a chimney or stovepipe. Some benefits of a wood burning stove include:
- heat when power is out
- firewood is readily available in North America
- cost-effective in winter months for heating
- warm country feel in homes
When looking for a cheap wood stove the first thing to cross the mind is probably not 'antique'. According to Fire Places and Wood Stoves.com, antique wood stoves are popular because of their low cost. Before purchasing a traditional wood burning stove consider an antique for efficiency and cleanliness.
Wood Burning Stove Accessories and Features
- self-cleaning glass
- gold and silver plated accents
- heat gauges
- hidden hinges
- porcelain fixtures
- wall heat shields
- air circulation chambers
- variable speed blower kits
Best Burning Firewood
Buying dense wood is the best choice. Woods such as oak, maple (not including silver), ash, and black walnut are better choices than poplar or pine. Oak is best for heating with low smoke and few sparks and has a good fragrance as well. Black walnut splits easily with a good fragrance and good for heating while poplar, pine, and spruce have low heating abilities and put off many sparks. Apple and green and white ash are also good choices.
Wood from broad leaved trees are normally denser than conifers with soft wood. Hickory and hard maples can also be purchased. If unsure about tree identification consult a friend, a local tree farm, or a wood dealer. Firewood bags can be purchased to help with the load of bringing firewood in from outside. Firewood can cost quite a bit and labor can be more. Consider cutting firewood for burning to make the best cost effective decision possible.
Where to Find Wood Burning Stoves for Sale
Shopping online for wood burning stoves is growing in popularity. With a wide selection of online stores offering many different makes, models, and prices that can be delivered to the buyer's door opens up an array of options to choose from.
Check local newspapers and phone books for dealers. Often times, local radio stations and news websites will have a 'trading post' or 'county communication' where locals can lists items for sale. Keeping a watch at these places could result in a cheap used wood burning stove.
In all cases, check for quality of the stove and ask questions. Do not purchase a stove until certain it is the right choice for the room and house it will occupy. It is better to shop around getting the right stove instead of getting a bad deal.
Sources:
FirePlacesandWoodStoves.com, “Wood Stoves” (accessed September 27, 2010).
TheFirePlaceChannel.com, “Burning Wood: Which is Best to Burn” (accessed September 27, 2010).
Annette Phillips - Annette Phillips is the Topic Editor for Natural Disasters. Phillips is also the author of Willow's Ride and a licensed Cosmetologist.
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