10 Best Outdoor Wood Furnaces 2024 in the US

There may be several reasons to opt for an outdoor wood furnace, including rising electricity bills and concern for the environment. With the number of choices available in the market, reaching a decision is not always easy. You may get confused with the terms or the features. This buying guide leads you through the basics of an outdoor wood furnace and helps you to choose the best outdoor wood furnace for your needs.

• Manual draft: These furnaces are made of cast-iron or steel heat exchangers covered by an outer shell. It relies on natural movement of hot air or manual manipulation of warm air. As a result, the heat distribution may not be even. Additionally, they require regular cleaning and maintenance to remove ash build-up.

• Electric draft furnace: These furnaces have electric blowers to facilitate even distribution and speed of warm air.

• Forced-air: Another category is the forced-air furnace. They have belt-driven blowers for even circulation of warm air throughout the house.

• Forced draft: In this type of furnace, combustion air blowers pull air through the heat exchanger. This mechanism increases efficiency while reducing the size of the furnace.

• Condensing: These consist of a sealed combustion area, a combustion draft inducer, and a secondary heat exchanger. These are the most efficient when it comes to fuel consumption and heat distribution.

• Safety features: Users stress safety features in furnaces, such as lockable doors with safety latches, auto-cutoff, air-pressure indicators, water level indicators and insulated handles.

• Component replacement: After going through thousands of outdoor wood furnace reviews, it becomes clear that users put stress on the warranty for replacement of parts and maintenance.

• Certification: It is always advisable to purchase a furnace that is properly certified and meets all the guidelines set by the government.

• User manual: Installing and operating an outdoor wood furnace can be a daunting task. A detailed user manual with clear instructions is a must.

• Check the chimney caps: Your wood furnace should include a chimney cap. They are very useful, especially in the rainy season, to keep water from entering the furnace, as well as to keep rust at bay. In routine use, they keep you safe from wayward sparks and also prevent strong currents from dousing your fire.

• Check the characteristics of the furnace door: The furnace door should be insulated to prevent heat loss. A minimum width of 4” is essential. Ensure an anti-blowback safety catch on the door, which prevents gases from releasing in a burst. It is necessary to avoid flash burns. Go for doors made from cast iron or mild steel, as they are considered the best. The door should be large and at least 30” above the ground to allow ample space for firewood to be placed inside the furnace easily.

• Compare legs vs skirting: Models with legs are easier to install. They are also more portable, and, being off the ground, they are less likely to corrode.

• Check the construction: Stainless steel furnaces are most durable. Rust-resistant, anti-corrode materials increase the life of the furnace.

• Check the draft control: Forced air furnaces are more efficient than manual or electric draft control, as forced air furnaces can burn any type of wood, and also do away with the need to clear up ash build-up.

• Choose an insulation type: You can choose between glass and spray foam insulation. In the long term, regular fiberglass is more reliable.

• Check the depth of the firebox: The firebox is the part of a wood furnace where the fuel is combusted. The dimensions of the firebox, especially its depth below the floor level, should be considered before purchasing an outdoor wood furnace. The recessed floor collects ash, and its capacity will determine the time interval at which you will have to clear up the ash.

• Check the heating capacity: The BTU (= British Thermal Units) number mentioned on the furnace denotes its heating capacity. Select a BTU capacity according to your requirement.

Outdoor Furnace Supply is one of the leading brands of outdoor wood furnaces. They have established themselves in this market by their unwavering commitment to quality and durability.

DAKA Furnaces is one of the most popular brands in this area. They have been manufacturing top-of-the-line furnaces for the past several years.

Brent Industries LLC is another well-known name for outdoor furnaces. Their products are reliable and long-lasting.