The Knowledgebase
Everything you need to know about small wood stoves
Welcome to the Tiny Wood Stove Learning Center.
Whether you’re just starting to plan your installation or looking for ways to get the most from your stove, this is where you’ll find all our best tools, guides, and videos in one place. From sizing charts and planning checklists to installation tips and real-world examples, these resources will help you plan, install, and enjoy your stove with confidence. Drop us an email at support@tinywoodstove.com with any questions you have along the way.
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Planning Your Wood Stove Project
Stove Selection & Flue System Builder Tool
Tiny Wood Stove's robust Kit Builder can help you select your stove and gather all the parts you need for a safe and efficient installation. It can handle all kinds of challenges such as curved vehicle roofs, offsets, thick walls, and more. Try it here.
Wood Stove Size
Which wood stove is right for your setup? This guide breaks down the three key questions to ask so you can choose a stove that fits your space, heats efficiently, and comes with the right features and support. Read more.
Building a Wood Stove Hearth
A hearth or stand does more than hold your stove. It protects your floor, keeps clearances safe, and can even add storage or style to your setup. This article breaks down the options for floor-level hearths, tall legs, storage stands, and DIY builds so you can choose the best fit for your space. Read more.
Theory of Wood Stove Flue Design
A wood stove relies on draft to work, and the flue system is the engine that makes it happen. If you want to better understand the physics that make your stove work, this article is for you. We explain the science behind natural draft and show how choices like chimney height, pipe size, and roof vs wall exits impact performance. Read more.
Clearances and Heat Shields
Adequate clearances around the stove and flue system are one of the two most important safety features of any wood stove installation. Learn about clearances and how to reduce them safely with heat shields. Read more.
Pros and Cons of Heating With Wood
Wood heat offers cozy ambiance, dry heat, and affordable, sustainable fuel. For many, that warmth is worth the extra effort. For others, the chores — like cutting wood and tending the fire — tip the scale the other way. Here’s a clear look at the pros and cons so you can decide if it’s right for you. Read more.
Are wood stoves safe?
Wood stoves can be a safe and reliable heat source—but only if they’re installed and used correctly. After years of helping customers and heating our own tiny spaces, we’ve seen great installs and some that made us nervous. This guide covers the key safety considerations so you can avoid common mistakes and feel confident in your setup. Read more.
Deep Dive: Designing a Wall Exit Flue System
Our Kit Builder can handle most setups—including wall exits and offsets—but sometimes you need to go a little deeper. Whether your install has unique challenges or you just like understanding how everything fits together, this guide walks you through the full wall exit design process step by step. By the end, you’ll know exactly what parts you need—or have a solid plan to run by our team. Read more.
Small Wood Stove Installation
Flue Kit Installation Instructions
View the step-by-step installation instructions for the most common small stove installation kits.
Templates: Cutting a Hole in a Pitched Roof
Cutting a hole in the roof to install your wood stove chimney can be intimidating. Getting the hole in the wrong place or ending up with a leaky structure are common fears, but with proper planning, you can do this job correctly and painlessly. Read more.
Connecting a Small Wood Stove to a Larger Chimney
Adapting a small stove to a larger flue size can be an attractive option if you are replacing an old stove and want to reuse the chimney system, if you're trying to cut costs by using locally available chimney pipe, or if local building codes require UL Listed Class A pipe. The acceptable flue sizes that can be used are limited by the type of installation and the stove's flue collar size. Read more.
Installing the Riddling Grate
The riddling grate is the circular center of the fire grate which can be rotated back and forth using the riddling grate handle to agitate and drop ash into the ash pan below. This part is not attached to the fire grate and can be removed/reinstalled. Read more to learn how.
Wood Stove Use & Maintenance
Managing a Fire
Learn how to start and control a fire in your Dwarf small wood stove. Review the three air controls and what they do. Read more.
Extending Burn Times
Learn how to get the longest possible burn time out of your small wood stove using the upside-down fire method. Read more.
How to Maintain a Dwarf Wood Stove
Regular upkeep keeps your tiny stove burning safely and efficiently. From ash removal and glass cleaning to chimney sweeping, firebrick checks, and gasket replacement, this guide walks you through the essentials. Learn the simple routines that extend your stove’s life and keep the heat flowing, plus find links to in-depth resources and our Built for Life Guarantee. Read more.
Fuel for Tiny Stoves
Choosing and sourcing the best fuel for your small stove. Various types of wood, commercially available logs, coal and other fuels. Read more.
Checking Air Controls for a Tight Seal
Ensuring the air control paddles on your stove are sealing well is vital for optimal performance. When you first install your stove and down the road if you notice that closing the air controls does little to dampen the fire, follow the steps in this article and video to ensure your air controls are functioning properly.
Customer Stories - Learn From Others
The best way to picture your own wood stove project is to see how others have done it. In these stories, customers share their setups, lessons learned, and favorite details from their installations. From cabins and saunas to travel trailers and adventure rigs, each story offers inspiration and practical takeaways.
Want to see more? Visit our full collection of customer interviews for even more ideas and examples.
Questions?
If you aren't sure about any part of your installation, please get in touch! We are here to help however we can. You can contact us by email at support@tinywoodstove.com, call us at 208-352-3417, or use the contact form below.