Wood Stove Comparison and How to Choose

“I’m curious about wood stoves, but there are so many kinds I can’t tell the difference…” If that’s you, this article summarizes the key makers, usability, and the lifestyles each is best suited for. I’ll also mention the Encore (Vermont Castings) I use at home as part of the comparison. Yes, I paid for my own lessons. Well, at least I tried.

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Start by asking: “What kind of life do I want?”
Major wood stove makers and what they’re like
There are other fireplace options too
Which stove for which lifestyle?
Chimney & installation: points you must check

Start by asking: “What kind of life do I want?”

Choosing a wood stove is less about the brand and more about what kind of life you want. Pick the lifestyle first and the stove choice becomes much less painful.

- I want to heat the whole house well (main heating)

- I want to enjoy the flames (interior / ambience)

- I want to cook on it too (top cooking / oven)

- I want low maintenance

- I want minimal chimney / construction hassle

Keep those lifestyle axes in mind — they make it a lot easier to judge which stove fits you.

Major wood stove makers and what they’re like

Below are major brands that have been commonly installed in Japan. I cover usability, construction, design, and maintenance for each.

① Vermont Castings

Popular models: Encore / Defiant, etc.

- Cast iron body with a heavy, classic look

- Excellent cooking performance on the top plate (stews, baked sweet potatoes, pizza)

- Uses a proprietary catalytic system (high efficiency, good fuel economy)

- Encore requires a bit more fiddling (dampers and such) — which is delightful if you enjoy that kind of fiddling

- Lovely flame visuals and good burn efficiency

Best for: people who want to cook on the stove, love classic design, and enjoy hands-on operation.

② Jøtul (Norway)

- Scandinavian brand popular in cold regions of Japan

- High heat retention due to cast iron

- Offers both classic and modern designs

- Very durable and hard to break

- Easy to control the burn

Best for: those who want long-term use and to heat the entire house, especially in cold climates.

③ Morsø (Denmark)

- Clean, minimal Scandinavian design

- Many slim, compact models

- Great match for modern homes

- Good flame visibility and high design appeal

Best for: design-conscious people, compact houses, modern interiors.

④ HETA (Denmark)

- Good balance of modern looks and functionality

- High combustion efficiency and easy handling

- Clean burn with less smoke

- Many models with large glass for great flame views

Best for: people who want easy operation and to enjoy the flames.

⑤ Domestic makers (e.g., Shingu Shoko)

- Designed with Japanese housing (airtightness, insulation) in mind

- Easier after-sales service

- Generally more budget-friendly

- Simple, sturdy construction

Best for: those who want good value and the reassurance of Japanese support.

There are other fireplace options too

If you want less construction or no chimney, here are some alternatives.

① Gas fireplaces

- Ignite with a button and easy to control

- Flame looks realistic

- Chimney or venting is still required

② Bioethanol fireplaces

- No chimney required

- Real flame but weak heating power

- High in interior appeal

③ Denatured liquid ethanol fireplaces

- Similar to bioethanol but generally burns more efficiently

- Primarily for enjoying the flame

④ Electric fireplaces

- Most convenient

- Almost no installation needed

- The flame is simulated, but the atmosphere is convincing

Which stove for which lifestyle?

🔥 Want to cook on it?

- Vermont Castings (Encore)

- Some classic Jøtul models

🔥 Want to heat the whole house?

- Jøtul

- Domestic makers (for durability)

🔥 Want a stylish vibe?

- Morsø (minimal)

- HETA (large glass)

- Bioethanol fireplaces

🔥 Want minimal maintenance?

- HETA

- Electric or gas fireplaces

Chimney & installation: points you must check

Get these wrong and your comfort will take a hit — no matter which stove you choose.

1. Use a double-insulated chimney (mandatory)

A double-insulated chimney stabilizes the draft. Cheap single-wall chimneys lead to condensation, backflow, and smoke leaks — and make cleaning a nightmare.

2. Chimney height should generally be 4–5 m or more

If draft is insufficient the fire won’t catch and smoke can flow back into the room — so height and any horizontal run matter.

3. Roof exit vs. wall exit

- Roof exit: more stable and easier for maintenance

- Wall exit: simpler construction but weaker draft

4. The house’s airtightness and insulation affect things

In highly airtight houses, how you bring in combustion air becomes critical.

This covers the basics. For specifics, check each maker’s website — and I’ll keep writing more about the Encore in future posts, so stay tuned. For other brands, personal blogs from actual users are often the best source of practical tips. Nowadays, high airtightness/insulation standards and warranty issues mean some houses can’t easily accept a stove. So when you’re considering installation, talk first to your house builder and a fireplace specialist. If you’re still in the pre-build stage, choose a builder that can accommodate a stove and design the chimney and space properly from the start — that’s the ideal route. Remember, beyond the stove itself you’ll pay for the chimney, construction, and maintenance. I’ve summarized those costs in a separate post. 👉Wood stove: costs & installation notes 👉Wood stove FAQ for beginners I’m not fluent in English, but I really wanted to share this story. So I tried my best using translation tools to write this post. If you find anything that sounds strange, unnatural, or offensive, please let me know in the comments. I’ll check it carefully, translate your feedback, and fix it. Thank you for reading!