How many kW of wood stove do I need for 50 m²?

For a well-insulated space of 50 m², about 5 kW is enough, as a rule 1 kW for every 10 m². For poorer insulation, high ceilings or heating a neighbouring room, choose a stronger stove.

Cast iron or steel for a wood stove?

Cast iron takes longer to warm up, but holds and gives off heat for a long time, so it heats evenly. Steel warms up and cools down faster, so it is better for quickly heating a space in the evening.

How often should the chimney be cleaned?

The chimney and firebox should be cleaned at least once a year, and more often with heavy use. Regular cleaning and dry wood reduce soot build-up and the risk of a chimney fire.

Can a wood stove work without a chimney?

No, a wood stove must have a chimney to carry smoke out of the room. If there is no chimney, supplementary heat and atmosphere can come from a bioethanol or electric fireplace.

Buying guide

How to choose a wood-burning stove?

A wood-burning stove is a freestanding source of heating that warms a space quickly and is easy to install wherever there is a chimney. In Montenegro wood is the most common heating fuel, so a good wood stove is a proven and economical solution. It is chosen mainly by power and chimney, while the firebox material decides how long the stove holds its heat. Here is what to look at, and the whole range is one click away.

01
Match the power to the floor area
Allow about 1 kW for every 10 m² of well-insulated space, so for 40 m² about 4 kW is enough. A stove that is too weak won't heat the space, and one that is too strong will run at half power, choke and dirty the glass. If the stove also has to heat the neighbouring room, count on a larger volume.
02
Choose the material by how you heat
Cast iron stoves take longer to warm up, but they hold and give off heat for a long time, so they heat evenly even after the fire dies down. Steel stoves warm up faster and give heat more quickly, but they lose it faster too. If you keep the fire going all day, cast iron is more rewarding, and if you want to warm a space quickly in the evening, steel is more practical.
03
Check the chimney and the clearances
A wood stove needs a chimney of the right diameter, most often about 150 mm for stoves of 5 to 10 kW, with enough height and draught. Likewise, respect the required clearance from flammable walls, the floor and furniture and add a protective floor plate if needed. Leave the installation and the connection to the chimney to a professional.
04
Look at the efficiency and burn dry wood
Modern wood stoves have an efficiency of over 65%, which means less wood for the same heat. For the stove to work properly, burn dry wood with a moisture content below 20%, because damp wood gives less heat and dirties the chimney. Fit a carbon monoxide detector and clean the chimney regularly.

Frequently asked questions

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Other guides

All from the magazine

Match the power to the floor area

Choose the material by how you heat

Check the chimney and the clearances

Look at the efficiency and burn dry wood