Tiny Wood Stove Resources
An index of resources to help you move forward with your tiny living project, no matter what stage you're on. No guide could ever replace personal service from someone who has seen it all, so feel free to drop us an email at support@tinywoodstove.com with any questions you have along the way.
Please excuse our dust as this guide is under construction. If you have any questions about your install, please shoot us an email at support@tinywoodstove.com.
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Planning Your Wood Stove Project
When to start planning a wood stove project?
So, you've decided to incorporate a wood stove into your small space. When do you need to start planning your project to keep your project cost down, and avoid delays? Read more.
Wood stove project budgeting
How much does it actually cost to install a tiny wood stove? Review a few real-world examples and associated costs, so you can plan your project accordingly. Coming soon.
Are wood stoves safe?
Safety is of paramount concern when deciding how to heat a space that you and your family will live and sleep in. In this article, we discuss the safety of wood stoves, and how to install and maintain them for years of trouble-free use. Read more.
Does my stove need to be certified?
EPA certified? UL listed? CSA certified? It can be confusing to determine which certifications you need (or don't need) for non-traditional structures. We can point you in the right direction. Read more.
Heating Options for Small Spaces
Is wood heat right for me?
Wood stoves are not for everyone. Learn about the benefits and challenges of heating with wood, and decide whether a wood stove is right for you. Read more.
Radiant vs. Convection Heating
Like a cup of hot chocolate or a warm bowl of soup. Fuzzy socks and sweaters. There's something about certain kinds of heat that just feel better than others. Learn about the physical, scientific reason why few people rave about their furnace the way people fall in love with their wood stoves. Read more.
Wood vs. Propane Fuel Cost
A comparison of operating costs for a small wood stove versus a small propane heater. Read more.
How much water does burning propane produce?
If you're considering an unvented propane appliance for your small space, you might be surprised how much water it will add to your inside air. Each 1 pound of burned propane produces 1.6 pounds of water vapor. You read that right. Read more.
Wood vs. Propane
Comparing wood versus propane as a heat source for a small space. Pros and cons of both, and factors to consider. Read more.
Small Propane Fireplaces
If you want the heat and ambiance of a wood stove, but the convenience of propane heat, a small propane fireplace might be a good option for you. In this article, we take a look at the small direct vent propane fireplace options on the market. Read more.
Wood Stove Benefits
Managing Moisture in Tiny Homes
Humidity from cooking, showering, and breathing builds up quickly in a small space during the Winter. Learn how your choice of heat source can help to manage moisture in a tiny home. Read more.
Preparing for Emergencies with a Wood Stove
In case the power grid goes down or if there is no more propane or gas to buy, preparedness will make all the difference. One way to be prepared for emergencies is with a wood stove. Read more.
Choosing the Right Small Wood Stove
5 Wood Stove Secrets to Keep You Warm & Cozy
With a wide array of sizes, prices, and features, it can be difficult to know if you are selecting the right small wood stove for your heating needs. Efficiency is a key component to a good wood stove. In this FREE eBook, we delve into the performance features that are the most important to look for as you shop for an efficient wood stove. Download Now.
BTU Calculator for Wood Stoves in Small Spaces
Traditional BTU calculators tend to overestimate the size of wood stove needed for small spaces. We built a BTU calculator specifically designed to size wood stoves for tiny homes, bus conversions, RVs, vans, yurts, sheds, tents, or other tiny structures. Try it here.
Dwarf 3kW Standard vs. Dwarf 3kW LITE
If a 3kW wood stove is the right size for your space, you have the choice between two versions of the Dwarf 3kW. The Standard is our full-featured version, while the LITE is a simpler, lighter-weight model suited to very small mobile spaces. Read more.
Wood Stove Size
How to choose right size of wood stove for your tiny space. Read more.
Wood Stove Features and Accessories
Review important features and accessories to look for when shopping for a small wood stove. Read more.
Wood Stove Efficiency
What is the most efficient small wood stove for your space? What is the cleanest burning? The difference between burn efficiency and heat transfer efficiency, and how to spot an efficient stove. Read more.
Popular Small Wood Stoves by Output
An apples-to-apples comparison of the most popular tiny stoves on the market, sorted by output. We recommend running your space through the BTU calculator first, then comparing stoves in the size that will fit your space.
How will you use your wood stove?
Different people have different reasons for a wood stove in their home. Your reasons for a wood stove will influence other design decisions like size, features and accessories, and location. Read more.
Wood Stove Thermal Mass
Which small wood stoves hold heat best? How much heat do they hold? How can you increase the thermal mass of your wood stove to keep your home warm longer? Read more.
Small Wood Stove Installation
Building a Wood Stove Hearth
Methods and materials for building a proper hearth under your stove. Options for attractive, low-cost, and lightweight materials, and techniques for building in spaces that move. Read more.
Heat Shields for Clearance Reduction
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.
Flue Design Resources
Flue System Builder
Tiny Wood Stove's parts robot can design the most popular flue system configurations for small space builds. Try it here.
Theory of Wood Stove Flue Design
Following manufacturer guidelines, local codes, and industry standards helps to ensure a successful wood stove installation. However, it can be helpful to understand why the rules are what they are. Read more.
Designing a Wall Exit Flue System
Floo, our parts robot is great at figuring out just what you need for a straightforward installation but some wall exits need a little additional planning to get right. After working through the following steps, you should know exactly what you need to purchase. Read more.
Detachable Chimneys for Mobile Structures
A detachable chimney can be the best option for RVs, buses and vans, or for a tiny house on wheels that is close to the maximum legal height to tow. Read more.
Telescoping Pipe
Why using a telescoping pipe somewhere in your flue system is usually a good idea, and how to install one. Read more.
Supporting Your Flue System
Providing adequate support for your flue system is critical for the safety and longevity of your wood stove installation. Review the requirements for supporting your flue system and the available hardware for doing so. Read more.
Cubic Mini Flue Systems
Cubic Mini wood stoves have some special requirements due to their small output and nonstandard flue size. Learn how to successfully build a flue system for a Cubic Mini using Tiny Wood Stove's flue components. Read more.
Flue Kit Installation Instructions
View the step-by-step installation instructions for our three most popular small stove installation kits.
Cutting a Hole in a Pitched Roof
Cutting a hole in the roof of your tiny house 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.
The 3-2-10 Rule: Chimney Height Above the Roof
Chimney height is one of the critical factors affecting the performance of your wood stove, and whether your wood stove installation is safe. For traditional construction, the "3-2-10 Rule" is used to determine how high a chimney opening needs to be above the roof line. 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.
Pipe Boots
Types of pipe boots, applications to use a boot for, and which to avoid, and how to install a pipe boot. Read more.
Wood Stove Operation and Maintenance
Getting Started with Your New Wood Stove
Curing High-Temperature Paint
How and why to cure your stove's paint. Coming soon.
Cutting and Splitting Wood
Tools and techniques for easily and safely processing firewood and kindling for your small wood stove. 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.
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.
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.
Wood Stove Cooking
Tips and techniques for cooking on your small wood stove. Coming soon.
Wood Stove Maintenance
How to Maintain a Tiny Wood Stove
An overview of the maintenance requirements for small wood stoves. Routine maintenance and repairs, and how to minimize maintenance requirements. Read more.
How to Clean Wood Stove Glass
How to properly clean wood stove glass, and how to keep it as clean as possible while your stove is operating. 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.
Replacing/Repairing Gaskets
Replacing door and window gaskets is part of the regular maintenance of a wood stove. Overtime, the gaskets compress and wear out and need to be replaced. We recommend checking the airtightness of your door and glass gaskets annually as part of an off-season maintenance routine. For the steps to take in determining the need for gasket replacement and replacing your gaskets, 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 Troubleshooting
Poor Draft
Diagnosing common draft problems in small wood stove installations. Typical symptoms include smoke leaking out of the stove, difficulty starting or maintaining a fire, poor burn efficiency, and insufficient heat produced from the stove. Coming soon.
Stainless Pipe Discoloration
Stainless steel pipe changing color as its heated, also called tempering, is normal. It is not an indication of a problem, but can dramatically change the look of stainless steel single-wall pipe. Read more.
Chemical Odor
What to do if you have a lingering chemical odor when using your stove after installation. Coming soon.
Insufficient Heat
Possible causes and solutions for a small stove that is producing less heat than it should. Coming soon.
Water Problems
Diagnosing and repairing water leakage and condensation issues. Coming soon.
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.