Although they have been in existence for years, and used by many generations of the past, wood burning stoves are gaining popularity today. They can provide comfort and warmth. Many people prefer them to more modern heating units.
Along with their beauty, they also can have a good economical effect on your heating bills. Wood is readily available in most areas. There is less waste and smoke and more heat produced by the units today because of their precision engineering.
These units are in the category of a space heater. This means their intended use is for a particular spot or location.
Placement of the units is the place where you most often spend your time. Placement in basements is discouraged because their heating efficiency can be lowered because of heat absorption by the basement walls.
If your home is divided into small rooms or areas, they will probably not heat the whole house. However, if your home has a more open lay-out, it’s possible that a large unit could heat the entire area. Make sure you choose the right sized stove for the intended location. One that is too large will make the room too hot, and one too small will not generate enough heat. Talk with someone who knows about how much output a unit will produce before purchasing.
The wood cook stoves come in many designs and styles. They can be made of various materials including, cast iron, plate steel, soapstone, or enameled finished. There is not a huge difference between the material and the units effectiveness. It is usually just the style that attracts one to one material rather than another.
Many sizes, colors, and shapes are also available. You can choose between more antique traditional styles, or more modern styles. Your taste will help you determine which will look best in your home
Owning these stoves does have some advantages. More heat is usually produced by them than by a traditional fireplace. Even when you have no electrical power, most models will still work. Some known as cook stoves, can be used for cooking during power outages. Since they must meet certain safety requirements, they may be safer than some other types of heating. Just be sure, if children will be around the stove, not to leave them unattended and take all safety precautions.
The disadvantages of owning a unit are few. If not installed and ventilated properly, certain pollutants can be produced. Try to meet all installation and safety instructions to avoid this possible problem.
Becoming even more popular today are units called pellet stoves. Made of one-hundred percent compacted sawdust, they produce very little smoke and the pellets take much less space to store than do the traditional logs.
Conrad Armer 
David Flint