Tips for selecting a wood-burning stove or gas-burning stove.

At the end of the day, any stove is going to warm your home and bring lots of warmth, coziness, and holiday vibes. But when picking between stoves, what kind should you choose and why?

We’ve dedicated this blog to the pros and cons of both gas and wood-burning stoves. Most often, wood stoves produce more heat and are used as the primary heating source, while gas is usually used for zone heating – such as warming a specific living space in the house that gets a lot of use. Wood stoves need wood and have to be manually lit. In contrast, gas stoves can be automatically set.

So how do you choose? Read on to learn more.

Gas Stoves

Pros

Gas stoves are very easy to use and could be considered the most user-friendly option. You don’t have to chop wood or load the furnace to keep it warm. You simply have to set the stove, or just push a button.

Gas stoves typically have a thermostatic remote control that allows you to program the temperature to move up and down automatically. These stoves also tend to be very efficient; they’re suitable for spot heating a particular area of your home where you spend a lot of time in the colder months.

Air quality remains stable because the stove is fed with outside air. The stove itself can use both natural or propane gas to operate. And, not to worry, if the power goes out, as stoves don’t require electricity.

Cons

When considering a gas stove, you must also consider some of its cons. Firstly, this kind of stove needs a professional to install it, which might mean an installation cost. And along with that, if it needs maintenance, likely your dad (unless he’s a gas-safe engineer) won’t be able to help.

You’ll also have to get a carbon monoxide detector, just in case the gas ever leaks. Older buildings can sometimes have leaks even if your stove does not. And you’ll have to clean your chimney once or twice a year.

Lastly, you must consider the location of your stove. Most gas stoves need to be located close to a chimney or an outside wall so that they can be vented.

Wood Burning Stoves

Pros

Most notably, a real wood-burning stove has a nostalgic effect for many people. People associate cozy wintertime and fuzzy stocks with real wood-burning stoves. Gas fireplaces try to recreate the feel of a wood-burning stove, and even though some come close, they don’t smell like a real wood-burning stove.

Typically, wood is less expensive than propane or natural gas. If you have access to timber and storage, this is a good option. Wood-burning stoves have low-cost, stable, heat that can warm an entire home. And again, in the case of a power outage, your fireplace will be waiting, unaffected.

Cons

Like gas stoves, there are some cons to consider here as well. Do you have proper storage facilities for a wood-burning stove? You’ll need plenty of space to store dry logs.

Then you must consider the time and consideration it takes to light a wood-burning stove. You must manually gather the logs and light the fire, which takes time and maintenance. You must clean your stove and chimney regularly.

Typically speaking, a wood-burning stove might be more expensive than a new gas stove, which could be considered a con.

And then you must also consider air quality, real wood-burning stoves do emit real smoke. Some sensitive groups may feel the effects of the smoke. When using a wood-burning stove try to use cleaner fuels and keep the stove itself clean.

The verdict?

Picking the right stove can be challenging, and in the end, the answer is up to you. Do you have nostalgic childhood memories of wood-burning stoves? Do you love the smell of the wood-burning stove? Then a wood-burning stove may be right for you.

Do you like the ease and simplicity of a gas stove? Do you prefer not to smell the fireplace? In that case, a gas stove may be your preference.

If you are looking to upgrade your stove or want an entirely new unit in your home, you’ve come to the right place! Contact us here at Firebird. Our experts are ready to help. We can offer professional advice and give you the best deal.

We want you to have excellent heating for years to come. You can also visit our showroom here in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to see our beautiful free-standing fireplaces and stoves first-hand. We hope our blog was helpful. If you have other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call us at 505.983.5264.