As economic and environmental concerns drive more people to explore alternative ways to heat their homes, the unassuming wood stove is making a comeback. With this increase in consumer demand comes a need for solid information on wood burning stove selection and use. There are many options and features to consider when looking for a woodburning stove, fireplace insert, fire pit, or other home heating solution.
In addition to more practical uses, such as home heating, wood burning provides ambiance and comfort is less practical applications, such as an outdoor or patio fire pit. Some people even use wood stoves for cooking, just like the good old days.
Outdoor fire pits, while not strictly home heating do allow people to use there outside space, be it a back yard or just a patio well into the colder months. There is something primal and satisfying about sitting outside around a raging fire on a chilly night. Or maybe you want to host a party and just can not fit all your guest in the house. An outdoor firepit may be just what you need to make it special.
On to the practical aspects of woodburning, heating the home. There is no argument that wood or wood pellets are some of the most cost effective home heating fuels sources. There are many choices for heating your home with wood, such as wood burning fireplace inserts, wood pellet stoves, antique wood burning stoves and soapstone woodstoves. If you like the look of a wood stove of a fireplace, but would rather use a more convenient fuel sources, you can with an electric or gas fireplace insert, or even an electric Amish fireplace.
If you are really brave, you might want to take the leap an go for a wood burning cook stove and kill two birds with one stove, heating and cooking. This, of course is more of a commitment in lifestyle. If you choose to go this route, make sure to do your homework.
Regardless of the type of stove you choose, you need to research your options. Of course, that's why you are reading this. So, shop around, look at specifications and reviews, compare prices and make the best choice for your home and lifestyle.