You definately have to do your homework when choosing a new stove. There are 3 major types of stoves, excluding cat and noncat, and they are soapstone, steel, and cast iron (now there are even stoves part steel and part cast). Anyway, soaps usually give a more even heat (convectional) thoughtout the home, while casts and steel are more radiant types of heat (both can do a fine job heating an entire house though). The main difference between casts and steel is a steel stove will heat a cold house quicker, but also might allow the house to cool down between cycles (loads). A cast may take a little longer to warm a cool house, but they tend to stay hotter longer than steels do and seem a bit less radiant than steels, at least in my experiences. A soap can put out heat hours after a fire is out. These are just some basic differences and Im sure it varies from stove to stove and different set-ups. I for one have burned a steel and a cast and really like both. Our neighbor has a soap, which is also a wonderful stove. Just depends on what suits you. As far as brand names go, some brands just have much better reputations and for reasons worth researching. When my uncle put a stove in about 20 years ago, Vermont Castings was the go-to stove. I was going to take that route until I heard about their lack of customer service, service parts, and overall quality of their newer stoves. After researching and seeing them burn, I decided a Jotul was what I wanted and Im still perfectly happy w the decision. Do your homework and visit a store that burns their stoves so you can get a better idea as to what you're looking for. Again, best of luck.