New Member Question: Best Wood Stove for a Small Workshop?

[Zynthal]

Hi everyone,
I’m new to the forum and looking for some advice. I’m planning to heat a small workshop/garage and am trying to decide what type of wood stove would be most efficient without overheating the space.


I’m curious what brands or models you’ve had good long-term experience with, and what size firebox makes sense for a smaller area. Any tips on installation or things you wish you knew before buying would also be appreciated.


Thanks in advance — looking forward to learning

 

[Megunticook]

What square footage? Insulated? What's your climate?

 

[stoveliker]

Wood stoves are not allowed in garages or spaces where liquid fuels are present (in cars, mowers, or storage).

Lot of people do it. But if stuff happens, your insurance may not pay out. Willing to take that risk?

If so, follow Canadian code; stove has to be off the floor by some inches.

Id get a radiant (not convective) stove, especially if ceilings are high.

 

[stovelark]

A small to medium steel stove will heat up faster, easy to run, a little easier to afford in most cases. Englander, PE< Quadrafire, LOPI are a few good choices. A nice direct vent wall heater (non-decorative) Empire DV wall series (DV215, DV25, DV35) would be good choices too and would not be an issue to install. In Mass, they may frown on a wood stove in certain areas. For installation, vertical through the roof is always a good call, less expensive chimney connector pipe (single wall or double wall) inside will keep cost down (make sure to comply with clearances though). Don't forget hearth consideration too, if on a cement floor it'd be ok, but may have to be off floor depending on area compliance. Good luck, don't forget possible used stoves too.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Woodstoves don’t turn off when a certain temperature is reached. They turn off when they run out of fuel. This can be well past the time you decide to open the windows because it’s too hot inside.

This can be further complicated when you’re walking into an unheated area when it’s below zero, like this week. You need a large stove to heat it up in a reasonable amount of time, but then your stove is too big to cruise at a low output once you reach the desired temperature, or when it’s above 30 outside, lol.

You can make it work, but it takes planning. You may need to light the stove long before you’re planning on using the place or get used to open windows.

 

[DBoon]

If you workshop is going to generate a lot of fine sawdust (i.e., through woodworking sawing, sanding, planing, etc.) then I personally would not want a woodstove in that area.

 

[NickW]

May be worth considering a diesel heater or propane or kerosene space heater... There's a recent thread here about diesel heaters.