Cord & Stove explains wood stoves, inserts, chimneys and firewood using the numbers that manufacturers, the EPA and university extension services publish, with every figure linked to its source.
Safety first. Installing a wood stove is a fire-safety and building-code matter. Always follow the clearances on your stove’s certification label and in its installation manual, get any permit your area requires, and have the installation inspected. This site is general information, not a substitute for a certified installer.
What we cover
- Choosing a stove: sizing, stove types and costs. See Choosing a Stove.
- Comparisons: model-vs-model specs from manufacturer documents. See Comparisons.
- Chimney and installation: reading clearances and manuals. See Chimney & Install.
- Firewood: heat value by species, seasoning and moisture. See Firewood.
Who it’s for
Homeowners heating with wood or thinking about it, from cabin owners to people replacing an old stove.
How we research
- Manufacturer documents first. Firebox and loading volume, heat output, efficiency, emissions, clearances and flue sizes come from the maker’s spec page and installation manual. We link the exact page and note the date we checked it.
- Official and academic sources. Burning practices and stove technology come from the EPA; tax-credit information from ENERGY STAR and the IRS; firewood heat values from university extension services such as Utah State University.
- Codes and standards by reference. Clearance defaults for unlisted stoves come from NFPA 211 as summarized by building officials. Your local code official always has the final word.
- Like for like. We compare efficiency on the same basis (HHV vs LHV) and say when a figure is a test-condition maximum.
- No first-hand claims. We don’t run stove tests and don’t claim personal use of the products we describe.
- Editorial review. Before publishing, each article goes through an automated editorial check for unsupported claims, math and safety wording. Every factual correction is confirmed against the primary source before it’s made.
- Kept current. Models get discontinued and programs end. Pages carry a “last checked” date.
How affiliate links work
Some links may become affiliate links. If you buy through one, the site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never decide a recommendation. Details are on the affiliate disclosure page.
What this site isn’t
Cord & Stove isn’t a stove dealer, manufacturer, installer or code authority, and it isn’t affiliated with any brand it mentions. All trademarks belong to their owners.
Corrections
Found an outdated spec, a discontinued model or a mistake? Tell us through the contact page with the page URL and, ideally, the manufacturer’s document.