Top vent vs Rear vent

[mol1jb]

So I would like someone to educate me for the reason of rear vent stoves. Is it just for convenience? I would think that a top vent would have better overall draft. Is a rear vent stove designed with a built in elbow (in simple terms)?

 

[BrotherBart]

Yep. You have it right. Top vents draft better. But more flexibility with the rear vents.

 

[begreen]

Rear exit works well for hearth mounted stoves. They also lend themselves to a cleaner look for some installations where the owner doesn't want a visible stove pipe.