Q&A Cast iron wood stove or not?

Question:

I'm looking to get a woodstove to heat about 1600 sq ft of space in my home. I'm confused, however, about cast iron versus the other stoves. Dealers I spoke with all extolled the virtues of their product lines, i.e., cast iron is cemented together and will leak in a short time and begin to "suck air", non cast iron doesn't have the longevity or heating qualities as cast iron, welds fatigue, etc. Frankly, the cast iron's looks are better and they seem as least as substantive as the non-cast iron stoves. what's your opinion?



Answer:


They are both fine and will last for decades if properly maintained. Modern cast-iron stoves are built quite tightly, and will not leak air easily. Use your style and budget to make your decision.