Wood stoves can be one of the most affordable and aesthetically pleasing heating options for a tiny house on wheels.
Not to mention, there’s something about the crackle and flame of a real fire that’s utterly relaxing!
But it can also be overwhelming to know where to begin in the world of stoves.
That’s why we made this easy-peasy guide to run through buying, installing, running, and even making the most of your tiny house wood stove.
So, stay warm and follow along as we dive into the world of small wood stoves for tiny houses!
What is a Wood Burning Stove?
A wood burning stove is exactly what it sounds like, a stove that burns wood.
But what’s a stove? Think of it as a readymade fireplace, with no big brick chimney needed!
They’re designed to burn wooden logs or pellets and provide a cute and practical heating source for tiny homes!
Plus, did we mention that they’re super cost-effective, and with the electricity prices right now – I think everyone wishes they had a small wood stove.
A wood stove is commonly used in tiny houses as the main source of heating and, for some daring souls – as their primary oven too!
They’re commonly used in tiny houses as a heating source and less commonly in skoolies and vanlife rigs.
As well as being used to heat, wood stoves can also be used for cooking, making them perfect for off-grid tiny houses.
How do Wood Burning Stoves Work?
They act like enclosed fireplaces, keeping the smoke inside the closed burning chamber and releasing the heat.
How is the heat released? The metal surrounding the burn chamber heats up as the fire runs and releases that heat into the room.
For added efficiency, many people buy an add-on stove fan which helps to spread the heat through the room and not have it concentrated around the stove.
As with any fire, your stove requires a chimney; therefore, adding a wood stove during your tiny house build rather than after is easier.
To keep it functional, it’s important to clean and maintain the stove and chimney properly.
Can You Put a Small Wood Stove in a Tiny House?
You betcha!
Wood stoves are incredibly popular for tiny house heating because they’re efficient, cost-effective, and help make a tiny house a home!
Having said that, here are a few things you need to consider before deciding on a wood stove for your tiny house.
This depends a little bit on whether you’re building a new tiny house or adding a stove to an existing home.
For new builds, you’ll want to take your time and consider the best spot for the stove to go.
You’ll want to choose somewhere centrally located, but not in the way – those things can get very hot you don’t want to accidentally bump into it.
If you’re adding the stove to your build, consider where it’s going to be easiest to add a chimney, there’s no point picking the perfect spot and then realizing you’ve got a wall full of electrics that you’d need to cut through!
Next, you’ll want to decide on what kind of stove, from the level of heat it will throw off to any additional functionality such as cooking or boiling water.
Negatives of Wood Burning Stoves for Tiny Homes
Compared to electrical heaters, wood stoves not only require more work to install, but they also require more upkeep.
Wood stoves can be messy, not only in the spot you choose to store wood but also when cleaning out the ashes.
The initial cost of a wood stove is generally much higher than an electrical heater.
It is possible to purchase electrical heaters that also have cooling functionality – meaning that you use the same amount of space for heating and cooling!
And finally, if you work from an office and a wood stove is your only source of heat – unless you have one of the expensive app-controlled wood stoves, you’ll arrive home to a cold house and have to start a fire as soon as you get in!
Is a Small Wood Stove Enough to Keep a Tiny House Warm?
Absolutely, wood stoves are the perfect heat source for a tiny house.
Wood stoves have been around for a long time and are still commonly used today in large homes.
With tiny homes ranging from, on average, 16 to 45 square meters, if you pick the right stove, it can do a phenomenal job of keeping your home toasty!
When picking a stove, you need to consider the size of your home, the quality of insulation in your home, the climate where you live, and your budget.
Some people choose to have an additional heat source, but this isn’t necessary for every tiny home.
Ideally, you should speak with a professional before deciding on the model that will best suit you.
We suggest calling a few of the wood stove companies and seeing what each of them suggests based on your needs!
Can You Buy a Used or Antique Wood Stove for a Tiny House?
You can buy a used wood stove, which can be a good way to save money on your build!
However, it’s vital to research and thoroughly inspect the stove you intend to purchase.
Only look at stoves that have been well cared for, properly maintained, and in good condition.
Restored antique stoves are usually more ornate and make for an especially environmentally friendly option as you keep an oldie in use!
If possible, consider asking an expert to inspect the stove for you, as it can be easy to miss small issues if you don’t know what to look for.
What Energy Output do I Need From my Small Stove?
The BTU or Watt output you need from a stove depends entirely on the size of your home, the climate you live in, and whether it’s your sole heater.
The level of insulation in your home and sun exposure also make a difference.
It’s all pretty easy to work out – If you live in a smaller home in a warm area – this requires less heat than if you live in a larger home in a cold area.
Here are some suggested BTU outputs based on your climate!
- Chilly
Down to -6c (20f) in winter = 45 BTU per square foot.
- Cold
Down to -9c (15f) in winter = 50 BTU per square foot.
- Super Cold
Down to -12c (10f) in winter = 55 BTU per square foot.
- Freezing
Down to -17c (0f) in winter = 60 BTU per square foot.
Still trying to figure out your energy requirements? Simply take the square foot measurement of your home and multiply it by the BTU number that aligns with your local winter climate.
Safety Considerations for Tiny House Wood Stoves
When choosing a wood stove as your heater of choice, it’s essential to go through a safety checklist:
- Installation and maintenance: Invest in having your wood stove properly installed and even maintained if you’re not confident doing this yourself.
- Ventilation and chimney: Be sure to vent exhaust gases properly and keep smoke from escaping into your tiny house; your chimney needs to be correctly installed and maintained.
- Keep clear: Follow the section in your stove’s instructions detailing how far you must keep other items clear of your stove to reduce the risk of fire.
- Wooden Logs: Store your logs away from the fire, in a dry and ventilated store to avoid fire hazards outside the burn chamber.
- Fire extinguisher: Always, always, always have a fire extinguisher handy, and talk with your partner to create an evacuation plan in case of fire.
- Carbon monoxide: If you intend to have a wood stove in your house, you need to invest in a CO detector.
These are all pretty self-explanatory, but if you follow these five simple steps – you’ll get to bask in the cozy ambiance of a tiny house, without worry!
Where to Fit a Wood Stove in a Tiny House
This depends on your preference and the size and layout of your house.
Here are a few practical considerations you should think about before choosing the spot for your small wood stove.
- Airflow: For air quality and efficient stove usage, you’ll want your stove’s chimney to receive good airflow. So if you have one wall of your home that backs up to a 20ft wall, maybe think twice about putting the stove on that side!
- Heat distribution: Make sure you choose a zone in your home that will allow the heat to spread evenly through the house.
- Aesthetic: A stove is a part of your home decor, and you want to put it somewhere that fits your design and where you can enjoy seeing it!
With that in mind, off you pop and pick a spot for your tiny fire zone!
Wood Burning Stove in Tiny House Kitchen
A kitchen could be a good spot for the stove if you plan on using it for heating and cooking!
Consider having one wall of cabinets and the opposite wall (or part of it) for your stove.
Wood Burning Stove in a Tiny Bedroom
If you have a traditional loft bedroom in your tiny, there might be better spots for your little stove.
As heat rises, you might end up with a freezing cold downstairs and a boiling hot upstairs!
Wood Stove in a Tiny House Living Room
Are you the kind of person that wants to snuggle up in front of the fireplace while watching TV?
Then you’ll probably want to pop it against a living room wall, perhaps on a raised pedestal so that it doesn’t just heat or possibly melt the side of your gorgeous couch that you spent weeks picking out!
Wood Burning Stove in a Tiny House Bathroom
You could put your stove in your tiny house bathroom – but it’s probably not ideal as the heat will most likely stay trapped in that one room.
Secondly, a wood stove is a powerful piece of kit – and your bathroom will be excruciatingly hot while the rest of your house is cold.
If you have your heart set on a bathroom stove, consider the smallest stove you can find, and add a central stove to the living area.
Buyers Guide: Tiny House Wood Stoves
$350 Wood Stove
PRODUCT NAME
Pipsqueak Stove
PRICE
£309.99
BUY FROM
MATERIAL
Cast Iron
WEIGHT
Approx 55 lbs – 25 kgs
ENERGY OUTPUT
10,236 BTU – 3000 watts
HEATS SPACES UP TO
Chilly -6c = 227 square feet
Cold -9c = 204 square feet
Very Cold -12c = 186 square feet
Freezing -17c = 170 square feet
RATING ON AMAZON
4.8 stars
Pros
- Great size for tiny homes, campers, and boats.
- Made from good quality materials.
Cons
- Only works with very small pieces of wood.
$450 Wood Stove
PRODUCT NAME
US Stove Company – US1269E
PRICE
$441.85
BUY FROM
MATERIAL
Cast Iron
WEIGHT
128.7 lbs – 58 kgs
ENERGY OUTPUT
54,000 BTU – 15,000 WATTS
HEATS SPACES UP TO
Chilly -6c = 1200 square feet
Cold -9c = 1080 square feet
Very Cold -12c = 981 square feet
Freezing -17c = 900 square feet
RATING ON AMAZON
3.8 stars
Pros
- Works for logs up to 19” long.
- Cooking surface on top.
- Throws off a lot of heat.
Cons
- Some people have received damaged stoves, mainly cosmetic and not functional issues.
$550 Stove
PRODUCT NAME
US Stove Company SR57E Rancher
PRICE
$566.89
BUY FROM
MATERIAL
Cast Iron
WEIGHT
160 lbs – 72.5 kgs
ENERGY OUTPUT
60,000 BTU – 17,585 WATTS
HEATS SPACES UP TO
Chilly -6c = 1333
Cold -9c = 1200
Very Cold -12c = 1090
Freezing -17c = 1000
RATING ON AMAZON
4.5 stars
Pros
- Unique and vintage aesthetic.
- Designed for cooking, with four cooktop spots on top!
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Doesn’t have a window, so you don’t get to see the fire.
- This is not a wood stove but a coal stove.
$600 Wood Stove
PRODUCT NAME
The Dwarf 3kw LITE
PRICE
$625
BUY FROM
MATERIAL
Steel and Cast Iron
WEIGHT
55 lbs – 25 kgs
ENERGY OUTPUT
10,236 BTU – 3000 WATTS
HEATS SPACES UP TO
Chilly -6c = 227 square feet
Cold -9c = 204 square feet
Very Cold -12c = 186 square feet
Freezing -17c = 170 square feet
RATING ON AMAZON
N/A but 5 stars from 7 reviews on their website
Pros
- Very lightweight, making it ideal for smaller builds.
- A small amount of wood goes a long way in this stove.
- Heats a tiny home very quickly.
Cons
- Not powerful enough for larger spaces in colder climates.
$700 Wood Stove
PRODUCT NAME
GRIZZLY Cubic Mini Wood Stove
PRICE
$699
BUY FROM
MATERIAL
Steel
WEIGHT
39 lbs – 17.7 kgs
ENERGY OUTPUT
The manufacturer gives a range of 8000 -18,000
HEATS SPACES UP TO
Based on the middle range BTU rating from the manufacturer of 13,000 BTU.
Chilly -6c = 288 square feet
Cold -9c = 260 square feet
Very Cold -12c = 236 square feet
Freezing -17c = 216 square feet
RATING ON AMAZON
N/A but 5 stars from 46 reviews on their website
Pros
- Stand-out black and gold design.
- Very lightweight.
Cons
- The product warranty doesn’t cover the glass in the door.
$700 Wood Stove
PRODUCT NAME
ZVEZDA NARODNA BLACK
PRICE
£589.99
BUY FROM
MATERIAL
Steel
WEIGHT
132 lbs – 60 kgs
ENERGY OUTPUT
20-27,000 BTU
HEATS SPACES UP TO
Based on the middle range BTU rating from the manufacturer of 23,500 BTU.
Chilly -6c = 522 square feet
Cold -9c = 470 square feet
Very Cold -12c = 427 square feet
Freezing -17c = 391 square feet
RATING ON AMAZON
N/A but the seller on eBay (a stove specialist) has 99.8% positive feedback.
Pros
- Can be used for all of your cooking.
- Looks a lot like an aga or range oven.
Cons
- Incredibly heavy
- Takes up a lot of space.
$1500 Wood Stove
PRODUCT NAME
Englander 32-NC WOOD STOVE
PRICE
$1399
BUY FROM
MATERIAL
Steel with cast iron door frame
WEIGHT
440 lbs – 200 kgs
ENERGY OUTPUT
16 – 39,000 BTU
HEATS SPACES UP TO
Based on the middle range BTU rating from the manufacturer of 27,500 BTU.
Chilly -6c = 611 square feet
Cold -9c = 550 square feet
Very Cold -12c = 500 square feet
Freezing -17c = 458 square feet
RATING ON AMAZON
No ratings at the time of writing.
Pros
- Very sturdy construction.
- Large firebox for wood up to 16” in length.
Cons
- Very heavy for a tiny house on wheels or vanlife rig.
- Doesn’t throw off more heat than cheaper models.
$3000 Wood Stove
PRODUCT NAME
VIKING 30 – NARROW WOOD STOVE
PRICE
2690 Euros
BUY FROM
MATERIAL
Cast Iron
WEIGHT
330 lbs – 150 kgs
ENERGY OUTPUT
3 – 6000 kW / 10 – 20,000 BTU
HEATS SPACES UP TO
Based on the middle range BTU rating from the manufacturer of 15,000 BTU.
Chilly -6c = 333 square feet
Cold -9c = 300 square feet
Very Cold -12c = 272 square feet
Freezing -17c = 250 square feet
RATING ON AMAZON
N/A
Pros
- Made in Sweden
- Comes with a 10-year warranty
- Fabulously efficient narrow design.
- With a cooking area at the top.
Cons
- It is on the expensive side.
- Very heavy for an on-wheels build.
$5000 Wood Stove
PRODUCT NAME
Kimberly™ Wood Stove
PRICE
$5250
BUY FROM
MATERIAL
Stainless steel
WEIGHT
56 lbs – 25 kgs
ENERGY OUTPUT
Claimed output 42,500 BTU
HEATS SPACES UP TO
Based on the highest BTU from the manufacturer.
Chilly -6c = 944 square feet
Cold -9c = 850 square feet
Very Cold -12c = 850 square feet
Freezing -17c = 708 square feet
RATING ON AMAZON
N/A
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Burns for up to 8 hours, depending on the quality of the wood.
- The streamlined shape means it doesn’t take up too much space.
- Low carbon emissions.
Cons
- A considerable investment.
- Many reviewers feel the BTU output claimed by the company is a bit inflated.
Wrap-Up: TL;DR on Wood Stoves for Tiny Homes
Wood stoves – even small ones – are efficient and, did we mention, stunning heating solutions for tiny homes that work like self-contained fireplaces and chimneys.
They’re used to burn wood, and the heat can be more effective when used with a stove-top fan.
It can make an excellent heating solution for a tiny house and helps add to that cozy cabin vibe.
They’re harder to install and maintain, can be messy, and can’t be used to heat the home when you’re not there.
A stove is plenty powerful enough to heat a tiny home, and if you’re looking to cut costs – you can buy one used, even antique – as long as you’re careful and do your research!
Safety considerations include proper installation, ventilation, maintenance, fire safety, log storage, carbon monoxide detectors, and keeping the area clear.
When deciding where to put your little stove, remember AHA… Airflow, heat distribution, and aesthetic!
A stove works well in a living room or kitchen, especially if you plan on cooking on it too!
But not so well in a bathroom or bedroom as they can keep the heat trapped and not spread evenly through the house.
Keep Living Tiny xx
