Stove heating remains the most affordable option for heating a private home. It is convenient for seasonal living or holidays outside the city on weekends; it can be used as an auxiliary or main source of heat. Massive brick structures were replaced by compact steel and cast iron hearths. This review presents the 8 best lines of models of stoves and fireplace stoves that are in demand in the CIS.
Purpose of the article: to provide complete information about popular models of stoves for home and garden use. The material will be of interest to those who need to heat from 50 to 150 m² of area or from 100 to 300 m³ of residential premises.
Educational program on choosing a stove
The time of potbelly stoves has long passed, and now a dozen manufacturers offer thoughtful designs of stoves for every taste.
They do not require reinforcement of the foundation and cladding; they are independent structures. To stay up to date, we offer concise information on the types of furnace equipment - it will help you not look like a layman when talking with sellers. Criterias of choice
| Criteria | Varieties | Notes |
| power, kWt | from 6 and above | For heating 10 m², 1 kW of power is taken. However, these conditional calculations are only appropriate for ceiling heights of up to 2.5 m, as well as full insulation of the building. They choose not so much by area as by heated volume. |
| Heated volume, m³ | from 60 and above | It is a more accurate characteristic of the stove, taking into account the volume of the heated room. It is enough to multiply the length by the width and height of the room to find out its volume. Some stove models are tied to a specific volume, others allow you to vary the power by changing the combustion intensity. The first option must be selected strictly for the room, in the second - without precise reference, the main thing is that the calculated value for the heated room falls within the range of the heated volume. |
| Material | steel |
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| cast iron |
| |
| Design | radiating | Heating due to infrared radiation is used in most models. In this case, the room is heated as air circulates naturally. First, nearby walls, floors, and interior items heat up, and then the air around them heats up.
|
| convector | Due to the casing and holes in its upper and lower parts, a convection flow is created, providing intense heat exchange.
| |
| with heat exchanger | The water jacket allows heat to be directly transferred to the coolant, which circulates through the water heating system. | |
| with hob | Some models have a burner for heating food on the top surface. It can be solid in the form of a round thickening made of cast iron or collapsible. In the second case, it simplifies cleaning the oven, but reduces its tightness. | |
| Doors | deaf | Solid steel or cast iron doors are a durable and affordable option, but you cannot admire the flames of the fire and visually monitor the progress of combustion without opening the door. |
| transparent | Glass in the door increases the functionality of the fireplace stove. It becomes a source of radiant heat and additional lighting. It is easier to control the degree of fuel combustion. However, the glass may crack and become covered with soot. It is necessary to choose models in which the glass is attached to the door along the entire perimeter of the opening, and not pointwise. In this case, it will heat up evenly and there is less risk of cracks. Pay attention to the “clean glass” function, due to which the glass is less susceptible to soot contamination due to special air circulation near the door. | |
| Location | free | Depends on the geometry of the body and its design. Most of the options are with a free location. Such models are designed to heat one room. Corner models have a triangular or trapezoidal base shape for the tightest installation in a free corner. To heat two adjacent rooms, models with through air ducts are used, through which air passes, heated by the walls of the furnace. |
| corner | ||
| into the wall | ||
| Burning duration | periodic | 3-4 hours. Suitable if stove heating is used as a secondary source of heat when permanently living in a private house or as the main source when living seasonally in a country house. |
| long-term | 6-8 hours. Due to fine tuning of the air supply and the presence of jets for complete afterburning of the fuel, a smoldering mode is available - a constant temperature of the furnace is maintained and, as a result, the temperature in the room. | |
| Chimney connection | behind | If the stove is not used properly, the first elbow of the chimney will overheat. But it is possible to ensure normal drainage of the pyrogenetic liquid, avoiding its entry into the oven. |
| above | The chimney is led out through the ceilings onto the roof or through a bend along the wall. Provides maximum draft when compared with a chimney of comparable height and rear connection. Compared to the rear connection, when connected from above, the stove looks more bulky. | |
| behind or above | Can be connected in different ways. In this case, the alternative connection will be muted. | |
| Firebox protection | absent | Short-lived steel equipment for several years. You can rely on such solutions in order to save money when used rarely in the country. Or in cast iron products - it is not needed. |
| steel or cast iron elements | Replaceable metal panels protect the firebox material from burning. | |
| fireclay brick | Heat-resistant material that protects the steel firebox from direct exposure to hot coals. |
What else is important?
The main fuel for fireplace stoves is wood.
Logs can be of different sizes, and this must be taken into account. The larger their size, the easier and faster it is to prepare firewood and put it in the firebox. The manufacturer usually indicates the maximum allowable log length, and it is better if in your stove this value is not less than 300 mm. If you go to the store, be sure to take a tape measure with you. With it, you can not only estimate the size of the loaded firewood, but also estimate the volume of the firebox, which manufacturers often do not indicate in the specifications. Summary table with furnace models
| Model, country of manufacture | Heated volume, m³ | Features of the line | Price range, rub. |
| 1. Termofor/TMF Fire-battery (Russia) | 100, 150 and 200 |
| 13000-21000 |
| 2. Zhara (Russia) | 100 and 200 |
| 12000-17000 |
| 3. META Ardenfire Marseille (France/Russia) | 150, 200 and 250 |
| 41000-64000 |
| 4. Eco-fireplace Bavaria (Russia) | 90-195 and 105-225 |
| 18000-27000 |
| 5. Thorma Andorra (Slovakia) | 98-200 |
| 69000-77000 |
| 6. Kratki Koza K (Poland) | 135, 190 and 250 |
| 32000-61000 |
| 7. Supra Tomera (France) | 150-320 and 300 |
| 77000 |
| 8. La Nordica Ghisa (Italy) | 172, 200 and 258 |
| 84000-127000 |
Fire-battery (TMF, Russia)
The Termofor company (after rebranding in 2021 - TMF) is a Novosibirsk manufacturer of stove equipment for home, garden and bathhouses. Positions itself as No. 1 in Russia. One of the company’s know-how is the development of the Fire-Battery steel stove. According to the manufacturer, when creating this long-burning model, all the shortcomings of existing designs were taken into account. Available in four modifications: the basic model without additional identifiers - with a cast iron burner, glass in the door; Light is the simplest model, without a hob and a viewing glass in the door. Both options may have an additional water heat exchanger for heating water, then the stove is designated respectively as Fire-battery B or Fire-battery Light B. The power of the equipment varies depending on the size of the housing and the number of sections of the slot convector, which can be 5, 7, 9 or 11 pieces.
The feature of the model is the fine tuning of the draft and a special lock in the ash pan, which prevents uncontrolled air leaks.
You can enter the smoldering mode, in which the operation of the furnace from one load is extended to 8 hours. There is a jet to ensure complete combustion of fuel. The chimney vents either backwards or straight up. The model is durable, because it provides replaceable protection for the firebox - inclined intermediate steel sheets are installed in its lower part above the cast-iron grate. Main characteristics of Fire-battery stoves from TMF (Termofor)
| Characteristic | Fire battery for 5 sections | Fire battery for 7 sections | Fire battery for 9 sections |
| power, kWt | 6 | 10 | 13 |
| Volume of heated room, m³ | 100 | 150 | 200 |
| Maximum log length, mm | 295 | 420 | 545 |
| Combustion chamber volume, dm³ (l) | 35 | 47 | 62 |
| Chimney diameter, mm | 120 | ||
| Size, mm | 370x555x760 | 370x680x760 | 370x805x760 |
| Weight, kg | 42 | 52 | 60 |
| Price, rub.* | 15 000 | 17 000 | 19 000 |
* The cost in parentheses is for the modification of the main model (light - without hob / B - with a heat exchanger tank / light B)
Impressions from use. The popularity of this model is easily explained - it has no obvious drawbacks. But at the same time, it maintains long-term combustion for up to 8 hours; any wood waste can be used as fuel. Compact, suitable for installation even in a small room. Quickly warms up the calculated volume of air: from 0°C to +25°C in 40-50 minutes. Withstands serious violations of operating conditions not recommended by the manufacturer. There are cases when such a stove was bought for one season and heated to the limit, heating twice the volume than indicated in the passport. However, the model is durable and repairable. In the modification with a hob, smoking may occur from under the cast iron pancake. This is observed at the ignition stage with the ash drawer open. Problems during operation can be caused by improper chimney design and the use of damp firewood.
Watch the video review of Termofor Fire-battery 7B:
Rating of the TOP 12 best wood stoves for the home
| Place | Model | Price |
| Small power models up to 50 cc. meters | ||
| #1 | TMF Cinderella 2016 | |
| #2 | Vesuvius Teremok | |
| #3 | TMF Cinderella Light | |
| Models from 60 to 100 cc. meters of heating | ||
| #1 | Vesuvius V5S | |
| #2 | Breneran AOT-06/00 | |
| #3 | Teplodar T-100 | |
| Models from 100 to 300 cc. meters | ||
| #1 | Guca Arina Low | |
| #2 | Professor Butakov Student | |
| #3 | Vesuvius V5S | |
| Models from 300 cc. meters | ||
| #1 | Breneran AOT-14/02 | |
| #2 | Professor Butakov Associate Professor | |
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Ardenfire (META, Russia)
GC Meta specializes in the manufacture of stoves, fireboxes, linings and accessories for stove equipment.
This is a Russian manufacturer, 20 years on the market. The range of fireplace stoves we are interested in includes products made of steel and cast iron. The latter are produced in a separate Ardenfire line, in particular, models Marseille 7, 10 and 14. Despite the fact that the company is Russian, all components are supplied from abroad - only assembly and testing are carried out in the Russian Federation. Thus, cast iron parts come from France, sealing cords from Germany, glass for installation in doors from Japan. Among the features of the Marcel model: a large glass in the door with a “clean glass” system, firewood and brown coal can be used as fuel, and there is a secondary afterburning. Main characteristics of Ardenfire Marseille stoves from META
| Characteristic | Ardenfire Marseille 7 | Ardenfire Marseille 10 | Ardenfire Marseille 14 |
| power, kWt | 7 | 10 | 14 |
| Volume of heated room, m³ | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Maximum log length, mm | 350 | 350 | 400 |
| Chimney diameter, mm | 150 | ||
| Size, mm | 364x410x800 | 415x513x977 | 439x550x1130 |
| Weight, kg | 80 | 103 | 130 |
| price, rub. | 41 250 | 60 000 | 64 000 |
Impressions from use. Powerful cast iron stoves that easily fit into the interior of a country house. Large firebox, suitable for standard size firewood. Heat from the body is transferred by radiation, so the room is not heated as quickly as in designs with convection elements. Long-term burning is not provided, but due to the massiveness of the stove, it cools down within 2-3 hours with an average burning time of 2 hours per stack. The design is simple, but the large glass area of the door gives it a special charm due to the mesmerizing view of burning logs.
View the Marcel 14 model in action:
Features of operation
All long-burning stoves are supplied with instructions, but they often do not mention some nuances that must be taken into account:
- It is necessary to provide free space around the stove and protection from fire;
- for easy maintenance (cleaning), the chimney should have a collapsible design if possible;
- pipes must be installed in the direction of gas movement;
- due to low draft, the chimney should not have a curved shape;
- During operation, condensation may form in the chimney.
It should also be noted that liquid fuel cannot be used in long-burning stoves; some models are quite difficult to set up and require constant supervision.
Bavaria (Ekokamin, Russia)
The Russian company Bavaria calls itself a leader in the production of furnace equipment.
They have been working since 2000. Specialization: fireboxes, conventional and tiled stoves. The plant offers 3 product lines, the most popular of which is Bavaria. These are steel furnaces lined with fireclay bricks. They can be standard or corner, with or without a hob, lined with ceramic tiles or tiles. The range of this line includes products costing from 16 to 75 thousand rubles. Main characteristics of Bavaria stoves from Ecofireplace
| Characteristic | Bavaria | Bayern Corner | Bavaria Prismatic (wall-corner) |
| power, kWt | 6-13 | 6-13 | 7-15 |
| Volume of heated room, m³ | 90-195 | 90-195 | 105-225 |
| Maximum log length, mm | 300 | 300 | 400 |
| Chimney diameter, mm | 150 | 120 | 150 |
| Size, mm | 476x579x835 | 515x650x860 | 527x638x1000 |
| Weight, kg | 107 | 70 | 107 |
| price, rub. | 21 000 | 18 000 | 27 000 |
Impressions from use. Compact dimensions, laconic design that is suitable for any country house, interesting cladding solution, you can choose tiles to suit your taste. Warms up a cooled house of 50 square meters to +7°C at -15°C outside in 2 hours. The maximum burning time on one tab is 6 hours. The possibility of connecting a chimney behind or on top of the stove is conveniently implemented. However, you should not count on efficient use of the stove, because it heats up very slowly.
Watch a video review of the corner modification of Ecofireplace Bavaria with stove:
Let's sum it up
Buying a cooking stove is easier and more convenient. But if you have a limited budget, you will have to make the stove yourself. It's cheaper, but requires certain skills.
The best material for a coal and wood stove is heat-resistant alloy steel. However, in practice, old gas cylinders made of St3 steel or brick are more often used. A large cottage cannot be heated with such a stove. But for a country house with 1 - 2 rooms it is quite suitable.
How to make such a stove with your own hands is discussed above. One of its disadvantages is the need for frequent cleaning. And such a stove will have to be heated 3-4 times a day. But coal will warm up the room much faster. And such a design will cost 2–3 times less than the factory equivalent.
For those for whom the issue of saving is not so pressing, you can purchase a factory boiler. You just need to choose the right power and take into account possible heat losses: window and door openings, etc.
This option has many advantages. One load of fuel will last at least 36 hours. And the unit will have to be cleaned much less often. There is only one drawback - you have to spend a considerable amount of money.
Andorra (THORMA, Slovakia)
The Slovak company Torma boasts more than 100 years of history in the production of stoves made of steel and cast iron.
The products are in the middle and premium price segment. In the line of fireplace stoves, the most popular model is the cylindrical Andorra. This is a steel stove with a fireclay ceramic lining and a cast iron grate. Wood or brown coal briquettes can be used as fuel. There is an intake of external air through a separate pipe, and there is a long-burning function. The Exclusive rotating model deserves special attention: the stove can be rotated around its axis and the flame can be observed from anywhere in the room. Main characteristics of Andorra stoves from Thorma
| Characteristic | Andorra | Andorra Exclusive | |
| power, kWt | 7,5 | ||
| Volume of heated room, m³ | 98-200 | ||
| Maximum log length, mm | 350 | ||
| Chimney diameter, mm | 150 | ||
| Size, mm | 1100×510×455 | 1200×540×540 | |
| Weight, kg | 110 | 95 | |
| price, rub. | 69 400 | 77 000 | |
Impressions from use. Both modifications have a long-burning function, which limits the access of oxygen to the combustion chamber. Available in black and gray versions. Most of the discussion is on the Exclusive rotating model, which can be placed at the junction of two zones, for example, the living room and kitchen. In this case, the actual rotation angle is 90 degrees, i.e. It will not be possible to completely expand the oven, and it is not necessary given the laconic design of the back wall. The turning mechanism is step-by-step; it requires force and the use of a special handle attached under the firebox - you cannot turn a working stove by the body. The combustion is beautiful, which is facilitated by the large glass in the door. The firebox is medium in size, the glass is not covered with soot due to the gap between it and the combustion zone.
Be sure to check out our detailed review of Andorra Exclusive:
Advantages and disadvantages
Using a wood-burning stove for home and garden (the modern version) in many cases has significant advantages:
- Easy to install and operate.
- Efficiency and economy. A high level of efficiency and careful consumption of firewood is ensured by various technological methods, from the shape of the exhaust pipe to the long-term burning mode.
- Quick effect of work. The heat from a working stove spreads quickly, a comfortable temperature is established within half an hour.
- Compactness. This quality is especially valuable in small country houses. Such a heating device can be installed in any room (if there is a chimney).
Koza K (Kratki, Poland)
The products of the Polish manufacturer Kratki have been known in Europe since 1998.
A couple of years later they began to actively promote it in the CIS. Today the equipment of this TM is available in 56 countries of the world. The range includes fireplaces, free-standing stoves, bio-fireplaces and accessories for all of the above. One of the popular lines is Koza K, cast iron equipment in the Victorian style. The manufacturer offers several varieties of each model: with decorated doors, made of steel or cast iron, with or without a turbine, water circuit, thermostat. The inside of the firebox is completely lined with fire-resistant ceramics. There is a “clean glass” system against soot and a pipe for supplying air from outside - a convenient feature if it is important not to dry out the air in a heated room. Main characteristics of Koza K stoves from Kratki
| Characteristic | Koza K6 | Koza K7 | Koza K9 |
| power, kWt | 9 | 5 | 13 |
| Volume of heated room, m³ | 190 | 135 | 250 |
| Maximum log length, mm | 350 | ||
| Chimney diameter, mm | 130 or 150 | ||
| Size, mm | 578x630x490 | 536x557x413 | 766x660x546 |
| Weight, kg | 115 | 75 | 160 |
| price, rub. | 56 400 | 32 000 | 61 000 |
Impressions from use. An important advantage of the line is its appearance. Large firebox for 9-10 logs, large glass that keeps it clean. The products are made of cast iron, so you need to be ready to return to operating mode within an hour. This is compensated by the inertia of the system; on one tab it is possible to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room for 5-6 hours. If the case itself is massive and there is no doubt about its strength, then the quality of the fittings is average. The latches are made of thin steel; over time, the door handle ceases to sit securely in its place. There is a possibility that after a couple of years the fittings will have to be changed, but it all depends on the nature of use.
View a review of the k9 model, the oldest of the ones presented above:
Laying the foundation
Before installing a wood-burning stove-fireplace, you need to take care of laying out the foundation. There are cases when there is no need to install a foundation and install the stove directly on the ceiling, but in this case, it is necessary to take into account the load on the ceiling.
For the foundation can be used:
- Solid brick.
- Reinforced concrete slab.
- Solid concrete.
It is extremely undesirable to lay on sand-lime brick, as it is destroyed in a damp environment.
How deep the foundation will be laid depends on the natural qualities of the soil. It is advisable to lay it below freezing point. A cushion of sand and gravel is laid under the foundation.
Tomera, Ulysse (Supra, France)
The French company Supra has specialized in wood heating equipment since 1878.
It is this manufacturer that pioneered the design of a furnace firebox with controlled combustion. Supra offers stoves and fireplaces made of cast iron and steel to heat private homes of any size. Two cast iron models came into our field of vision, having a similar design, but differing in details. Both have a cylindrical shape with a meter-long upward glass in the door. Long burning for up to 10 hours, a “clean glass” system is provided. The body coating is black enamel, abrasion-resistant. Main characteristics of stoves from Supra
| Characteristic | Ulysses | Tomera |
| power, kWt | 10 | 14 |
| Volume of heated room, m³ | 150-320 | 300 |
| Maximum log length, mm | 500 | |
| Chimney diameter, mm | 150 | |
| Size, mm | 480x1150x480 | 510x1220x450 |
| Weight, kg | 152 | 161 |
| price, rub. | 77 000 | 77 000 |
Impressions from use. Tomera is a very popular cast iron model, so there are many positive reviews on the Internet about its use. They praise not only the appearance, compactness and heat dissipation, but also the possibility of using long logs, as well as briquettes. What problems may arise with is transporting the stove from the car to its place in the house, if you plan to do this yourself. The stove is very heavy, it is better to carry it with four people using special belts. There have been cases when the product was dropped, but cast iron does not tolerate this and cracks. Regarding long-term burning, real indicators are at the level of 6-7 hours. For example, a full overnight load burns from 11 pm to 5 am at an outside temperature of -25°C.
Watch a video review of the Supra Tomera:
When is it profitable to burn with wood?
It’s good when there is a gas main within reach of a country house. In this case, the question of choice does not arise for most owners; If wood heating is present, it is for comfort, in the form of a fireplace or a small decorative stove. If there is nothing to connect to and the house is large, the best choice would be a solid or liquid fuel boiler, since electric heating will cost much more and can only be considered as an additional (backup) option.
It’s another matter if the country house is small in area. For a building with two or three rooms and a kitchen, the number of heating methods is greater, but the most common is still the use of wood. In country cottages, wood heating is beneficial in the following cases:
- Seasonality of residence. Heating with wood is especially beneficial if people do not live in the house permanently, but use it for seasonal recreation. Even if there is a gas main nearby, it is not always cost-effective to carry gas.
Wall-mounted method of arranging a modern wood-burning stove for heating a house Source kamine-streubel.de
- Availability of fuel. If there are no problems with the procurement of firewood in the area, heating with wood will be the most economical way for a house of any size.
- Modern design. For a small house, a modern, economical wood-burning stove and well-designed heating will be the best solution.
Ghisa (La Nordica, Italy)
The Italian company La Nordica was founded in 1968 and has been present on the wood heating market for the last 50 years. Products are supplied to 50 countries. The manufacturer's range includes ultra-modern, classic and rustic-style models - for heating, cooking, and water heating.
Our selection includes 3 models with female names.
All are made of cast iron and, which is quite rare, Isetta and Isotta implement convective heat transfer: there is space for air circulation between the firebox and the body. Another feature is the side loading door in the Isetta and Isotta models! At the same time, Giulietta is the simplest of the selection, suitable for seasonal use in the country. Main characteristics of Ghisa stoves from La Nordica
| Characteristic | Giulietta | Isetta | Isotta |
| power, kWt | 6 | 7 | 9 |
| Volume of heated room, m³ | 172 | 200 | 258 |
| Maximum log length, mm | 400 | ||
| Chimney diameter, mm | 120 | 150 | |
| Size, mm | 490x710x430 | 660x710x450 | 790x780x520 |
| Weight, kg | 105 | 150 | 190 |
| price, rub. | 84 700 | 105 700 | 127 400 |
Impressions from use. Such stoves are popular for their appearance and ease of use. They are more expensive than alternative options due to their Italian origin, but this is completely justified for those who want to solve the problem of heating a country house for the next 10 years. You can put logs up to 400 mm long into the firebox, and a full load is enough for 4-5 hours to maintain a comfortable temperature at -15°C outside. They quickly warm up rooms: Isotta at 9 kW in an insulated house of 100 m² increases the temperature from +5°C to +25°C in 1-1.5 hours at -5°C outside. Among the disadvantages, one can name only the top connection of the chimney.
Watch a short video of the Isotta model in action:
Design and rules for placing the stove
Despite the variety of designs, all wood stoves produce energy to heat the air by burning wood. Therefore, they all consist of the same set of elements, which include:
- Firebox. Place where wood is burned, chamber made of heat-resistant materials.
- Grate (grid). Metal grate at the base of the firebox. Firewood is placed on it, air enters the firebox through it and ash is removed.
- Ash pan. A small chamber under the firebox where ash accumulates.
- Chimney. A pipe through which combustion gases are removed.
- Smoke damper. Blocks the chimney to retain heat.
Safe placement of an iron stove for a wood-burning home on a fireproof glass stand Source monitoruldevrancea.ro
