Remodel Your Home With This Wood Stove Review

This will list some of the top manufacturers of wood stoves and their models that are approved for the federal tax credit of 2011 and probably beyond.  If you remodel your home or add a wood stove to your new home, there are some very efficient wood stoves on the market.

The tax credit originally was for 2009-10 but so many people requested an extension on the tax credit that the government extended the credit through this year and maybe 2012. Stay tuned for more information.

For our wood stove review we will focus on these manufacturers:

Blaze King
Jotul
Hearthstone
Fisher
Franklin
Vogelzang

has been around for as long as I can remember.  If people living in Alaska like this wood stove what does that tell you?  Blaze King has two models that meet federal requirements for a tax credit. 

The comes in three different models (Parlor, Ultra or Classic).  

The classic has been around since 1977 but don't let that fool you. It has been engineered during this time to reach an 82.5% efficiency rating.  The emissions are a low 2.42 grams per hour

You can either purchase this wood burning stove in either a or a . They all burn up to 40,000 Btu's - translated - the ability to heat 1500+ square feet. The 2.8 cu. ft box capacity allows for a 20 hour burn time.

 The has the same ratings but the big difference is almost twice the size in the fire box.  This larger firebox allows the KEJ to have burn times up to 40 hours.  That means it will almost burn for two days without loading again.

and wood stoves are synonymous. In business since 1853 you can see why they are the world's oldest manufacturer of wood stoves.  They have sold more wood stoves than anyone else ad their expertise is unmatched. Norway is where the company was founded but now you'll find Jotuul all over the world.

Here is a lost of all the Jotul wood stoves that qualify for a tax credit:

, F 118, F 602, F 3 CB, F 400, F 500, F 600, 350, C 450, and C 550. Jøtul will provide a certification statement on all qualified stoves for taxpayers to use as proof of the stove's qualification for the tax credit.

Because they have so many here is one thing you should consider:

The is the best-selling woodstove ever produced. It is also the smallest woodstove on the market. It is Alcove approve for the US and Canada as well as the lowest priced EPA Cast-Iron wood stove on the market.

are designed to be "easy to clean" and offer features you can't find on other wood stoves. Hearthstone stoves offer exclusive designs and many of the stoves are made out of soapstone rather than metal. One of the key benefits of Soapstone is the ability to absorb heat and radiate it for hours after your fire burns out.

For those of you who prefer a cast iron wood stove Hearthstone also offers them. Following is the list of the 12 Hearthstone wood stoves that qualify for the tax credit.

Bari Wood, Bennington, Craftsbury, Equinox, Clydesdale, Heritage, Homestead, Mansfield, Morgan, Phoenix, Shelburne, and Tribute

is a soapstone workhorse.  Not only does it look great it can heat a barn. Well, not actually but it can produce 120,000 BTU's or 3,500 sq ft.  Burn times are around 12 hours and it will continue to heat for another 4 hours.  It is rated at burning 78% efficiency and only 3.0 gm/hr of emissions.  Maximum log lengths is 25 inches inside a 4.0 cubic ft firebox.

A lot of people still search for both the and wood stoves.  Neither is manufacturered anymore and both of them do not meet federal requirements for a tax credit. These stoves are mentioned here so you add this to your research inventory.

offers 5 different wood stove models that qualify for the tax credit.  Performer, Highlander, Shiloh, Durango and Defender. The prices are between $ 1099 and 1299.  For the price these stoves are affordable options to electric heat and other wood stoves. What really caught my attention is the warranty that Vogelzang offers.

These stoves are made of steel and offer many options that you will need to add as money allows.

The is a plate steel wood burning stove that can heat a 1200 sq. ft home. It meets EPA standards even in Washington State who is known to have stringent air quality standards.  It's rated at 4.21 grams/hour.  

What caught our attention with the Defender is the BTU rating of 28,337. That's enormous for such a small stove.  It can handle 18 inch logs and the burn time of 8 hours on low settings.  It is rate at over 75% efficiency.

We know this is not all the wood stoves on the market but if we keep adding more stoves this wood stoves review could be longer than a thesis.  A really good site for you to bookmark is wood stoves guide.  They review a lot of stoves, offer prices and give you links directly to the manufacturers website.

 

 

Wood Stove Cooking Demonstrations, Lunch At Grinter Place
The workshops honor the Grinter Place heritage of cooking on the wood stove. Participants explore traditional recipes through cooking demonstrations, make a craft project, and hear a presentation on local history topics. This year, the cooking portion ...
Read more on WIBW

Wood smoke is one of the main sources of air pollution in Washington. Wood stoves, fireplaces, and other wood burning devices put out hundreds of times more air pollution than other sources of heat such as natural gas or electricity. If you burn, burn clean If you heat with wood, you can reduce smoke by burning properly: Burn only dry, seasoned wood. Be sure your firewood has been split and dried for at least one year. Store it under cover. Never burn wet, painted, stained or treated wood; colored newsprint; plastic; garbage; diapers; or magazines. Burn small, hot fires. This helps the wood burn completely and cleanly. Never allow the fire to smolder. This wastes wood, produces little heat, and causes a lot of smoke. Make sure your fire gets enough air. Dampering down too much can cause smoldering. You can tell if your fire has enough air by checking the smoke coming from your chimney. You should see only heat waves. If you see smoke, increase the air supply to your fire. Make sure your wood stove is the right size for its space. A stove that is too large for the space it is heating will have to be damped down, causing more smoke. Make sure your stove is properly installed. Learn more at: www.ecy.wa.gov
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Wood Burning Fireplace Inserts ? a Great Way to Enjoy Indoor Warmth

If you really want to enjoy warmth indoors this winters, it is recommended for you to opt for These are wooden stoves especially designed in a fashion to compliment conventional fireplaces in the open.

The EPA certifies the wood burning fireplace inserts and this makes them burn clean and extremely efficient in nature.

The major benefit of having wood burning fireplace inserts is that these can fit into any type of décor. These also tend to provide a sophisticated environment to your home without the requirement to disturb the whole setting of any of the rooms.

The Wood burning fireplace inserts can also enhance the whole look or décor of your existing wood burning fireplace. With wood burning fireplace inserts, you can even enhance the efficiency of any fireplace to a maximum amount via a fireplace insert addition. Most people are tired of their inefficient fireplace.

However, now you can easily install wood burning fireplace inserts and turn the inefficient place into a supplemental area heater that is also very easy to use. This will also help you a lot in controlling the bills coming due to high home heating.

The best part is that wood burning fireplace inserts let you enjoy cleaner air quality during winter season.

If you are convinced to purchase wood burning fireplace inserts, here are some tips to purchase the best:

The wood burning fireplace inserts are known to provide the best and warm environment to home. Hence, it is very important to purchase it from a reputed store dealer. This will make sure that you get the best quality at an affordable price. Make sure you visit many stores prior to purchasing one of these inserts. Do not purchase it from the first store you come across.

If you want to purchase wood burning fireplace inserts, you can visit the World Wide Web in order to find the best of these. Make sure you find an authentic dealer and compare the services and prices of various online vendors.

It is very important to discuss the process of installation when purchasing wood burning fireplace inserts from any dealer. This will give you an idea on whether it is a do-it-yourselfer or require appointing a professional for the installation process.

You need to ask for complete materials when purchasing wood burning fireplace inserts. This will let you know whether what you are paying includes all the essential raw materials.

Wood burning fireplace inserts are very environment friendly and hazard free. Hence, it is a prudent decision to invest in one if you want to get something that provides you warmth, enjoyment and environmental friendly.

With the ever-increasing risk of global warming, you must invest in wood burning fireplace inserts.

Fireplace Mantel FAQS

Fireplace Mantel Shelf

Your Mantel Questions Answered Here

Here are some common questions people ask about their fireplace mantel shelf. Read through these FAQs and get answers to your questions.

What materials are mantels often made of?
The material of a fireplace mantel varies. Common materials include:

* Wood
* Marble
* Stone

Other materials are available. You just need to shop around and ask. Check out the fireplace mantel ideas and buying guide for more information and great advice.

What fireplace measurements do I need to consider when selecting a mantel shelf?
When selecting a mantel, measure the width of the fireplace from edge to edge. It's common to have a fireplace mantel shelf that extends past the width of the fireplace; you just want to make sure it's not too short.

How do I mount a fireplace mantel shelf?
To properly mount fireplace mantel shelves, you must first measure the length of your fireplace, establish how far up you want the mantel, find the center, and mark the wall with a pencil. Installing a mantel depends on the material it's made of and the material of the wall you're mounting it to. Often you need to establish wall studs and/or brackets to mount the mantel to the wall. The specific fireplace mantel shelf you purchase should come with the mantelpiece as well as instructions.

What is a fireplace surround?
A fireplace surround is a specific style of mantel that has "legs" that run along side the fireplace. These legs are attached to the mantel and mounted to the wall. Most mantels are just a flat horizontal piece of wood mounted above the fireplace. Fireplace surrounds provide added lines, framing, and accents to your fireplace.

Can I build my own fireplace mantel?
Yes. It is possible to build your own mantelpiece. You can find plans in wood working books and even online. However, if you're not experienced in wood work or have never built your own mantel shelf, it's advised that you consult a professional.

Is it possible to get an unfinished mantel?
Yes. Some manufacturers offer unfinished mantels (a.k.a. unpainted or stained wood mantels). These types of mantels allow you to add whatever color you want or stain it to your liking. If you're shopping for mantels and want to add a personal touch, ask around for unfinished mantels.

What's the typical price range for fireplace mantel shelves?
The price can vary greatly on fireplace mantels. A very basic mantel can run you a couple hundred dollars; however, a higher end mantel shelf could run you a couple thousand. The higher the quality of materials involved, the higher the cost will be.

All three of these elements come into play with a fireplace mantel.

The size of your fireplace: This is probably the most crucial element you need to keep in mind when browsing fireplace mantel ideas and possibilities. You want to measure all dimensions of your fireplace and have them on-hand. The last thing you want to do is guess on the size - you might end up with a mantel that's too short or too tall.

The wall space available: The amount of wall space available will dictate the maximum size you can get. It's not uncommon to have a mantel shelf that extends past the width of the fireplace. If you want a long fireplace mantel shelf, measure how much wall space you have. As they say, measure twice, cut once (in this case, it's measure twice, buy once - you don't want to end up with a mantel that's too long and have to go back and buy another).

The décor of the room: This is where you narrow down your fireplace mantel ideas. Once you start shopping around, you'll quickly discover that you have a ton of colors, shapes, sizes, makes, materials, and appearances to choose from. So, always consider the décor of the room where the mantel will be mounted. You want your fireplace mantel to accent your fireplace and blend with the room. If you're looking for a fireplace mantel for a cabin, stick with the antique, rugged models, if that's the décor of the room. Picking a mantel shelf that doesn't blend with the room can turn an exquisite mantel into an eye sore.

You have more fireplace mantel options than you think. From wooden to marble and even antique looking mantels, you have your work cut out for you. Use this guide to help you narrow down your fireplace mantel ideas and pick the best one for your fireplace. If you have questions, check out our fireplace mantel shelf FAQs.

Question by Suzi♥Squirrel: How do i make a fireplace mantel look like a real fireplace?
I purchased the mantel from an architectural salvage place. I would like to use it, but I don't have a fireplace. Thought about trying to make it look real and put wood or candles in it. Any ideas, tips, pictures....thanks

Best answer:

Answer by Wilber
Paint the wall behind the mantel glossy black, place a picture of a fire or logs on a grate on the wall and put your glass or screen in front of this.

What do you think? Answer below!

How to Clean your Stone Fireplace

A fireplace is an object of such great joy and comfort. It is easy to picture out the whole family or a group of friends on the hearth of a stone fireplace wrapped in blankets, swapping storied and sharing eggnog or marshmallows. In one's imagination, all this may seem so soothing and appealing. This is probably why many families still choose to have a wood or stone fireplace around. The thing is, when winter is over, one is invariably faced with the prospect of having to scrub a stone fireplace clean. All of a sudden everyone just wants to keep as far away as possible form what was once a cozy stone fireplace.

There are of course, many different ways to clean a stone fireplace. You should take into consideration such things as stone fireplace material, fireplace age, fireplace condition and cleaning implements and ingredients to be used. Be forewarned that not every solution is full proof and may even damage your stone fireplace depending on its condition and the existence of previous damages. You should try different ideas for cleaning a stone fireplace with the understanding that you may be experimenting.

During Winter

It would help you a lot if you tried to minimize the dirt on your stone fireplace while you are actually using it. You should consider putting an aluminum sheet under your stone fireplace grate and pulling the sheet out after use so that you don't have to extensively sweep the ashes out. Of course, you can always do it the old fashioned way and clean the ash with a broom and dustpan. For soot problems, a good home remedy is to throw some salt into the fire to get rid of the unsightly black stains.

Homemade Solutions

You can clean the soot off your stone fireplace wall and face by using a variety of homemade methods. You can try a few for your stone fireplace but not every solution will work. Some will recommend spraying water on the stone fireplace face or wall to make the absorption of the cleaning implements faster. Others however would simply recommend gentle scrubbing with a combination of water and detergent. You can also try washing the stone with an all purpose cleaner first and then scrubbing with mild body soap and water, intermittently applying the all purpose cleaner.

Trisodium Phosphate

If all else fails, mix a gallon of water with half a cup of trisodium phosphate and scrub your stone fireplace clean. This mixture is toxic though so you should make sure that you have a proper mask and gloves and that all your windows open for proper ventilations. Be certain that you have covered your other pieces of furniture or carpet.

The Experts

You probably can clean your stone fireplace on your own. You have to think though of calling in the experts at least once a year to thoroughly clean your fireplace of soot and ash. You chimney should of course be handled by experts and should be regularly checked for damages.

How to reface an existing fireplace with beautiful stacked stone. This video is part of Blog Cabin - Stacked Stone Fireplaceshow . SHOW DESCRIPTION :Blog It. Build It. Win It. DIY Network's crew of home improvement experts build the cabin you helped design. When it's done, one lucky winner is going to call it home.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Question by pumpkin: Stone Fireplace?
We have an A-Frame style home with a blue stone fireplace running outside & in. We've had a water leak with this fireplace since day 1. The stone extends 3' above the peak of the roof. On the back side of the outside section of the fireplace you can see white stains from water running towards the places where the fireplace joins with the roof. The water travels to the inside of the fireplace and where the sheet rock abuts with the fireplace, causing sheet rock damage. You can also see the water stains running down the inside rock. Attempts were made to solve this problem, including replacing the roof. We had several roofing firms seal the fireplace around the roof line and the top section that extends above the top roof line. We also have a large piece of slate covering the opening at the top. Our house is being vinyl sided and we have asked if a cap can attached at the top. The problem is since the stone is so hard, there doesn't seem to be a way to secure anything to the stone.

Best answer:

Answer by Ryan B
umm so just drill and a-bolt into it

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!