Cast Iron Wood Burning Stoves

What Are the Benefits of a Wood Stove Made From Cast-Iron?

A cast-iron wood stove holds heat long after the fire goes out. Load it before bed and your room's still warm in the morning. Steel stoves can't do that. They cool off almost as soon as the fire dies.

Cast iron doesn't warp the way steel panels do, either. Steel starts to buckle right around the firebox after a few years of heavy use. There's no walking it back once it begins.

Cast iron holds its shape for decades. You can also replace individual panels instead of the whole unit if need be. People run these things for 30 to 40 years. One of the best investments you can make in your home.

And let's be honest - cast iron just looks stunning. You can get enamel finishes in Bordeaux or Majolica Brown that make a statement in your space. These are living room pieces that people put front and center because the stove's worth looking at.

Top Cast-Iron Wood-Burning Stove Models at Royal Fire Pits

Two brands make up this cast-iron wood-burning stove collection: Vermont Castings and Buck Stove.

Vermont Castings wood stoves have been the best choice since 1975. EPA certified. At least two finishes to choose from on every model. 

Go with the Defiant for large spaces up to 2,800 square feet. It puts out 56,000 BTU. The Encore is the catalytic wood stove option here. 48,000 BTU with a 12-hour burn. Classic Black or enamel. The Intrepid and Dauntless are FlexBurn, which lets you control the catalyst. The Intrepid is the entry point at $2,949. Dauntless bumps up the firebox size and gives you 11 hours of burn time at $3,499.

Buck Stove has two U.S.-built models. The Model 91 is the biggest stove on this page at 62,745 BTU. Heats up to 3,200 square feet with catalytic combustion and weighs in at 620 pounds. $4,451. Model 81 is the non-catalytic option at 59,500 BTU for up to 2,700 square feet. 460 pounds, $3,779. Both come with a factory-installed blower.

Choosing the Right Cast Iron Wood Stove

Sizing

Don't try to heat 2,000 square feet with a stove rated for 600. A stove that's too big for the room is just as bad. The Defiant in a 600 square foot space will push you right out of it.

This collection runs 37,000 BTU on the low end to 56,000 on the high end. How well your house holds heat makes a difference too. Not sure where your space falls? Call us and we'll figure it out.

Style and Design

Appearance is half the appeal of a cast-iron wood stove. Some Vermont Castings models come in up to four finishes. We carry modern wood stove designs as well if a more contemporary look makes sense for your room. But most people want the traditional cast iron look, and it's easy to see why!

Certifications

Every cast-iron wood-burning stove in this collection is EPA certified and meets current federal emissions standards. You could even qualify for the biomass stove tax credit depending on the model's efficiency rating. Shop every EPA-certified wood stove available at Royal Fire Pits.

Blowers

A blower pushes heat off the cast iron and into the room faster. Otherwise, warm air just floats up to the ceiling. Some models include a blower and others offer it as an add-on. It's worth adding if your ceilings are tall or you have an open layout.

What Types of Spaces Do These Stoves Work Best in?

• Cabins and off-grid homes: No electricity needed. Load it with wood and you're set. Cast iron radiates heat for hours between loads, whereas steel cools off too fast when you can't reload right away.
• Traditional homes: The stove's part of the room in an older home. A cast-iron wood stove fits that setting. You're not hiding this thing in a corner. It makes a statement!
• Mobile and manufactured homes: Some wood stove models here are approved for mobile home installation. Check the product listing or call us before ordering to confirm.
• Large open floor plans: You need serious output for these spaces. A high-efficiency wood stove like the Defiant covers 2,800 square feet and the cast iron keeps radiating long after the fire burns down.

Why Buy a Wood-Burning Cast Iron Stove at Royal Fire Pits?

We're authorized for every brand in this collection. That means you gain access to the full manufacturer's warranty and direct brand support for any model you buy.

Every cast-iron wood-burning stove ships free with no sales tax. Find it cheaper at another authorized dealer and we'll beat the price. You get better value for your money here than you will anywhere else.

Need help picking between models or figuring out what venting works with your setup? That's what we do. We're here Monday through Saturday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cast-iron wood stoves better?

Yes, assuming you're comparing them to steel on heat retention and durability. Cast iron holds onto heat long after the fire dies. Steel doesn't. It won't warp at high temperatures the way steel panels do, either. Costs more and weighs more. That's about the only knock on it.

What is the best cast-iron wood stove?

Comes down to your space. Big space? Go with the Defiant for 56,000 BTU and a 14-hour burn. Smaller room? The Intrepid at $2,949. Want the longest burn you can get? Encore does 12 hours at $3,999.

How long can a cast-iron wood-burning stove last?

Decades. We've seen Vermont Castings stoves from the late '70s still heating homes. Basic upkeep is all it takes. Gaskets and chimney cleaning. Catalyst swap if your model has one. That's it.

How much maintenance do these stoves need?

Gaskets wear out and need to be swapped. Chimney needs a cleaning annually, more if you're burning green wood. Catalytic models need a new catalyst every few years depending on use. Cast iron is low maintenance beyond that.

What are the disadvantages of cast iron stoves?

Weight and price. The Defiant is 518 pounds. The Intrepid is 348. You're paying more than you would for steel, and you need a plan for getting it into the house. The repair is more involved if a panel cracks from thermal shock or misuse. Almost never happens if you use it right.