Wood Stove Product Comparison: 4kW Size
March 7, 2019
The 4kW size is one of the most popular sizes for small wood stoves. For larger RVs and full sized buses in moderately cold climates and medium sized tiny homes and cabins, a stove in the 4kW range can provide plenty of heat through the Winter without taking up too much space. A stove that’s just the right size will allow you to burn longer, cleaner, more efficient fires, and can make it possible to burn your stove earlier in the Fall and later in the Spring without overheating your space.
In this article, we provide an apples-to-apples comparison of small stoves in the 4kW range, (approximately 11,942 – 15,354 BTU/hr). Because the BTU claims of some manufacturers vary wildly relative to their actual performance (why?), we've grouped stoves based on which ones work best for small spaces within this BTU range (according to the Tiny Wood Stove BTU Calculator), regardless of the manufacturer's claimed output.
Warning: Most BTU calculators are designed to overestimate your heating needs, which can result in a stove that's so large, you can't burn it without overheating your space. If you're not sure which size stove you need for your small space, run through the Tiny Wood Stove BTU Calculator, which is specifically designed for sizing wood stoves for small spaces.
Dwarf 4kW
- Dimensions: 19.5” H x 12” W x 9” D
- Flue: Standard 4″, Top or Rear Exit
- Weight: 100 lbs
- Construction: Welded steel body, cast door and fire box, refractory firebrick
- Claimed BTU Output: 4kW 13,648 BTU/hr
- Air Controls: Separate Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Controls
- Glass: 7.5″ W x 8.25″ H
- Firebox Dimensions: 8″ H x 10″ W x 8″ D
- Available Accessories: Direct Air, Tall Legs, Wood Storage Stand, Spring Handle
- Finish: Painted Flat Black, Optional Enamel Door, Optional DIY Paint Colors
- UL/CSA: No
- EPA: No
- Notes: Three separate, tight air controls allow for unusually long burn times for this size, up to 9 hours with the upside-down fire method. Rectangular profile (wider than deep) provides the largest fire viewing window available in this size. Current version has drilled/tapped mounting points on sides and back for heat shields or other custom accessories.
- Manual: Download here
The Hobbit
- Price: $1,100
- Dimensions: 18.1” H x 11.9” W x 10.7” D
- Flue: Standard 4″, Top or Rear Exit
- Weight: 110 lbs
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Claimed BTU Output: 4kW 13,648 BTU/hr
- Air Controls: Combined Primary and Secondary Air Control, “Secondary” Air Wash
- Glass: 6.1″ W x 7.1″ H
- Firebox Dimensions: 7″ H x 8″ W x 8″ D
- Available Accessories: Direct Air, Wood Storage Stand, Sea Rail, Stainless Cook Top, Back Boiler
- Finish: Painted Flat Black, Optional DIY Paint Colors
- UL/CSA: No, but has a CE certification
- EPA: No, but SE model has UK DEFRA listing
- Notes: The SE model air controls are purposely leaky, so low/slow burning can be difficult. Because of a trademark dispute, the Hobbit is often referred to as the Salamander in the United States. As of this writing, we don’t know of any distributor for the Salamander Hobbit in North America, so you may need to import it yourself.
- Manual: Download here
The Kimberly
- Price: $3,995 – $4,245
- Dimensions: 25.5″ H x 10″ Diameter
- Flue: 3″ Rear Only
- Weight: 56 lbs
- Construction: Over 100 Laser-Cut Stainless Steel Parts
- Claimed BTU Output: 40,000 BTU (?!)
- Air Controls: Single Damper Controls Combustion and Air Wash
- Glass: 7.3″ H x 3.3″ W
- Firebox Dimensions: 6″ x 11″
- Available Accessories: Outside air intake available
- Finish: Stainless Steel, optional black finish
- UL/CSA: Yes
- EPA: Yes, and WA State
- Notes: One of the few EPA/WA State certified small stoves available. The manufacturer recommends using 3″ pellet pipe for installation of the Kimberly, but requires the pellet pipe to be sleeved inside a 6″ UL listed Class A chimney system through the roof penetration to the chimney cap. Only roof exits are allowed—there are no “approved” wall exit configurations for the Kimberly.
- Manual: Download here
Little Cod
- Price: $1,550 plus shipping
- Dimensions: 11.375″ H x 18″ W x 13.75″ D
- Flue: Oval 4″, Top Only
- Weight: 55 lbs
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Claimed BTU Output: 10,000 – 28,000 BTU (?)
- Air Controls: Single Sliding Damper, Pipe Damper Required
- Glass: Optional
- Firebox Dimensions:
- Available Accessories: Pipe and Fittings, Alcohol “Drop-In” Burner, Stainless Shielding
- Finish: Plain Iron or Optional Porcelain Enamel
- UL/CSA: Yes
- EPA: Yes, and WA State
- Notes: One of the few EPA/WA State certified small stoves available. Because these stoves are made individually by hand, lead times can be long, so plan ahead!
- Manual: Download here
Shipmate Skippy
- Price: $955 – $2,195 plus shipping
- Dimensions: 13.5″ H x 17.75″ W x 13.75″ D
- Flue: Oval 4″, Top Only
- Weight: 45 lbs
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Claimed BTU Output: 9,000 – 28,000 BTU (?)
- Air Controls: Single Sliding Damper, Pipe Damper Required
- Glass: None
- Firebox Dimensions:
- Available Accessories: Deck Irons, Smoke Hoods, Single-Wall Pipe
- Finish: Plain Iron or Optional Porcelain Enamel
- UL/CSA: No
- EPA: No
- Notes: Top-loading firebox is accessed by removing one of the burner plates. Available in an oval or a rectangular shape.
- Manual: Download here
We have a 2017 Jayco Eagle 5th wheel. We move about every 14-30 days. How do you travel with the chimney. And is it safe with the new rubber rooves on these RV’s?
Hi Tara,
We have lots of folks who travel regularly that use our stoves in their rigs so you’ll be in good company. Most people in vehicles will install one section of insulated pipe to penetrate their roof and extend 6″-8″ above the hole. They will use a 20″ section of insulated chimney pipe as a detachable chimney that you can take down and store when you travel or in the summer when you aren’t using your stove. See this post for more information: https://www.tinywoodstove.com/detachable-chimneys-for-mobile-wood-stoves/
The silicone pipe boots we sell work great with non-porous roof materials such as rubber or metal. You’ll cut back your roof, ceiling, and insulation to give the pipe 2″ of clearance. Double wall insulated pipes only require 2″ clearance to combustibles and will not damage your roof if these clearances are observed.
I live in a 20 foot yurt. trying to decide what type of wood burning stove to purchase. We also have alternative heating of floor propane stove and electric ambient heat(which isnt the best for winter) we live in next to the mountains so winters are cold. We were told tht we need 22,000 to 27,000+ which seems alot of heat, but due to space I prefer smaller stoves. can you advise what you recommend.
Hi Teresa,
Depending on your insulation values and climate, that BTU recommendation sounds pretty good. Assuming your yurt is insulated in a standard yurt amount (nothing as well as a house) and it gets down around 0F in your mountains, the 5kw will be a good fit along with your floor heating to supplement. The Dwarf 5kw may not be able to keep you cozy on the coldest nights by itself but because it is pretty close to big enough, you’ll only have to supplement a little with your other heat sources. Shoot us an email at support@tinywoodstove.com and we will be happy to help!