December 07, 2011 at 11:31 AM

Though wood stoves have been used for hundred's of years, many, even of those who've used them do not know the difference between a Steel wood stove and a Cast Iron wood stove.  Steel stoves are usually going to be lower in initial price because of the price of steel and steel manufacturing methods.  Steel stoves are usually made with 1/4"-3/8" flat stock steel.  Typical steel stoves are welded together.  Welding is fine however, its possible that welds may have undetectable holes in them.  On the other hand, well made steel stoves have their welds inspected for imperfections. 

As its name implies, cast iron is melted iron, cast in molds and put together through the use of positive sealing methods.  The big advantage cast iron stoves have over steel is that cast iron holds heat from the fire much longer than steel.  While steel stoves require firebrick to hold heat and protect the steel from high flame temperatures, the cast iron stove is its own protection and radiance method.  Cast Iron can withstand much higher temperatures than steel, and not warp from the heat of a hot fire.  For that reason steel stoves usually have a cast iron door (there's no protective firebrick over the door).

If you'd like further information on the topic, please contact one of our professionals.  

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