Wood Stoves

Wood Stoves

Island Wide Chimney Services is PEI’s premier, full-service dealer. We provide sales, installation, inspection and maintenance services on everything we sell.

Wood Stove Basics

Which are the best wood burning stoves? The ones that most closely suit your needs. Consult Island Wide Chimney Services to help guide your purchase.

Steel or cast iron, the difference between steel and cast iron is in how they are manufactured. Steel stoves are welded together, while cast iron stoves are poured into a mold. Steel is more utilitarian and heat up faster, while cast iron stoves take longer to heat but retain heat longer and offer aesthetic flourishes. Cast iron stoves may cost a little more for their looks, but every so often you need to have the joints resealed so air leakage doesn’t make the fire burn too hot. Today’s premium steel stoves feature replaceable parts and some incorporate soapstone panels that hold heat longer; however, that makes them slower to heat up.

Smaller or larger, too small a stove in a large room or vice versa — size does matter when it comes to efficiently heating your home. A safe rule of thumb with today’s higher efficiency stoves is to choose a medium-sized stove. Larger, open-plan houses typically require a large stove to heat the whole house, whereas small stoves are suitable for a cabin or one large room. Island Wide Chimney Services experienced professionals are your best resource when deciding on the right size stove for your home and your particular needs. This is not a decision you want to make with only the input of a big box store salesperson.

Catalytic or non-catalytic, both types combust harmful gases and creosote. A stove equipped with a catalytic combustor uses a platinum grid to capture and burn them. A non-catalytic stove directs exhaust gases into a hotter secondary chamber to combust them. Catalytic combustors can burn out and need replacing from time to time; however, they provide a higher level of efficiency and certain operational conveniences such as thermostatic control and top-loading features. If you plan to heat your home primarily with your wood stove, they have the edge. Non-catalytic stoves cost less and offer ease of operation, as well as a livelier flame for those of you who are mesmerized by burning logs.

As with any home investment, base your buying decisions not only on cost and good looks but functionality and comfort. Finally, don’t forget that you’re “playing with fire.” Have Island Wide Chimney Services professional install and properly vent your stove.

Wood Stove Maintenance

Island Wide Chimney Services recommends the annual cleaning of all fireplaces, chimneys, and vents. Wood stoves require annual maintenance after every two tons of pellets are burned. Annually we will arrive and do the following wood stove maintenance and operation list, typically:

• Inspect the door Gasket
• Check the hinges to make sure they are not worn
• Clean the glass and inspect it for cracks
• Check the firebox structural integrity
• Check the stoves firebricks
• Check to see if the baffle is warped
• If your wood stove uses a thermostat, make sure it operates freely and works properly
• Disassemble the stove pipe sections and clean soot and creosote 
•  Check secondary air holes built into your stove to allow air flow

Contact Island Wide Chimney Services for all your Wood Stove needs.