Tiny Wood Stoves For Small Houses: My Choices

I’ve been researching efficient, small wood stoves that could replace the rocket stove in my house. Most home wood stove manufacturers’ smallest models heat 800-1000 square feet at a minimum, which is overkill for my  200 round foot home. However, the house will probably benefit from the extra oopmh with all of that (cold, cold) thermal mass and lack of insulation. Here are the two top contenders that I have been researching.

Small Wood Stoves: The Contenders

Jøtul F 602 CB

From Jøtul’s website come these stats:

• Maximum heat output: 28,000 BTU/hr
• Heating capacity: Up to 800 sq.ft
• Max log length: Up to 16″
• Over 75% efficient
• Burn time: Up to 5 hours
• Finish options: Matte Black Paint
• Flue outlet: Top, and rear
• Flue size: 6″ (w/standard adapter)
• Weight: 160 lbs.
• Accessories: Fire screen, Rear heatshield
• Alcove approved for both the US and Canada
• Fully functional cookplate
• 5 year limited warranty

This model is appealing because I can get it locally for $850, which isn’t a terrible deal considering they retail for about $1000. There are five homes with this wood stove at Dancing Rabbit, and everyone who has used it has good things to say, which is comforting, too. The stove takes 16″ logs, which is also a nice feature (but in reality, it would probably take 14″ logs more easily.)

Drawbacks? I’m not that jazzed about the dimensions of the stove – it’s a little long, a bit too rectangular for where April and I hope to install it. I also don’t think the viewing glass is that great, either. Also important to note: I think the “over 75% efficient” is quite exaggerated.

This list of EPA certified wood stoves (warning: PDF) ranks the Jotul 602 as 63% efficient. (In fact, none of the stoves that I’ve found that say they are “75% efficient” rank as such in this document.)

Morsø 1410

From Morso’s website:

• Maximum Heat (BTU/hr): 30,000
• Heat Output Range – lab. test (BTU/hr): 9,5862-22,018
• Test Fuel Load: 5.15 lbs
• Particulate Emissions: 3.3 grm/hr
• Log Size: 12″
• Max. Area Heated: 1000 ft²
• Firebox Dimensions: 12¼”W x 10¾”D
• Firebox volume/capacity: 0.736 ft³
• Gross Weight: 215 lbs

This thing is tiny. On an aesthetic level, I like the Morso 1410 much more than the Jotul. It’s got a much nicer viewing window and a great squirrel relief on either side of the stove. More importantly, it’s more of a square shape and not as deep as the Jotul, so it should fit better where we want to install a stove. I don’t think there is much of an efficiency difference compared to the Jotul.

One drawback is the short maximum log length: only 12″ (and probably more like 10-11″)! That means more cutting. And since we do all of our cutting and splitting by hand (with a saw, hatchet, and maul), that means more labor. (Which I’m not totally opposed to, but it is a significantly more work to saw small wood.) It also has an ash pan, which the Jotul does not. And the main drawback? The price I was quoted is $1000… sheesh! There’s got to be a way to get this thing for cheaper.

Since both stoves seem to be about as capable, efficient, and small as each other, it seems to be a choice we’ll make based on aesthetics. I’m leaning towards the Morso 1410 because of that.

UPDATE: I went for the Morso 1410, and was able to get it for slightly less than the MSRP. Check out my Morso wood stove review here!

p.s. Curious about the benefits of heating with wood? Check out my article Wood Heat Stoves: 4 Reasons You Should Consider Heating with Wood

Tagged as: Heating, jotul 602, morso 1410, small wood stove, Winter, wood stove