With the high cost of natural gas, liquid propane and heating oil, the sales of wood stoves and wood stove accessories are reaching new highs, in some areas by as much as two and a half times last years record.
With newer more economical and efficient models that are available, wood stoves are an environmentally friendly alternative, and with today’s wood stove accessories and attachments wood burning stoves are also a beautiful and functional addition to the home, along with the savings in fuel costs.
Some of the many accessories that are available for wood stoves include: fans, hearth pads, trim kits, or stove pipe shams. Here is a brief description of some of the most popular wood stove accessories and how they can be used to make your wood stove an even more valuable addition to your homes comfort and enjoyment.
Wood Stove Accessories
Stove Pipe Shams - Stove pipe shams are a great way to turn your plain stove pipe into a wonderful accent piece. Stove pipe shams are designed specifically to dress up your plain old black stove pipe and add a touch of color and interest. Most shams are designed to fit standard 6 5/8″ OD double wall gas pipes and in most cases they can be adapted for any 6″ OD pipe, with a small adjustment. Stove pipe shams are quick and easy to install on new or existing stove pipes, and there is no need to disconnect or remove the pipe. Typically all one needs to install a sham is a screw driver and if you are trying to match your other decor they can be spray painted using an appropriate high temperature or gas vent paint.
Circulating Fans - Fans can be an attractive and practical accessory for a wood stove. Many wood stove fans are available in different styles and for different uses including: improving the drafting for the wood stove to burn more efficiently, transferring heat quickly to adjoining rooms, reclaiming heat that would otherwise be lost up the chimney and improving the circulation of warm air.
Woodstove Kettles - The heat from a wood stove can cause the surrounding air to dry out. Woodstove kettles are an easy way to humidify a room and bring in a decorative element as an added bonus. Simply fill them with water and your wood stove will do the rest. There are many wood stove kettles available in many designs including porcelain coated kettles that won’t rust on the inside.
Woodstove Steamers - Wood stove steamers, like kettles can be used to humidify the air along with adding an understated, modern beauty to your wood stove. By adding potpourri to the water you can fill your home with the necessary humidity and add a delightful fragrance as well.
Woodstove Trivets - Wood stove trivets are durable cast iron hot plates that protect the top of your stove or free-standing fireplace from getting rust spots from a kettle or humidifier. They also keeps kettles or cooking pots from getting too hot and can be used under kettles and steamers to protect tables and countertops from heat damage, or as attractive decorative accents on tables, shelves, and walls. Trivets are readily available in many colors and designs.
Woodstove Thermometer - Wood stove thermometers and helpful for making sure your fireplace is burning at its highest efficiency. This not only saves on the cost of wood for your stove but also reduces maintenance and improves safety. Many wood stove thermometers attach to the stovepipe magnetically or by drilling a small hole in the pipe. Keeping the stove at the right temperature will make fires last longer which saves time spent on reloading. It also cuts down on chimney cleaning by burning the wood completely in the best operation range. It also helps to avoid the possibility of a chimney fire by keeping it from overheating and will extend the life of catalytic combustors by letting you know when you are overheating the stove.
Hearth Pads - If your wood stove is not sitting on a fire proof floor, hearth pads provide the necessary fire proof protection between a woodstove and the flooring below. Designed with fireproof tiles hearth pads are available in many attractive designs and are typically suited for wood, pellet, or gas appliances.
Paints & Polishes - Many specially formulated paints are available for use in touching up, renewing, and protecting the finish on steel or cast-iron wood stoves. These paints are designed to resist peeling and blistering when subjected to high temperatures. There are also polishes available to make your wood stove black and shiny.
Woodstove Gaskets & Repair - Fireproof fiberglass gaskets are used around the doors and/or glass windows to help assure optimal burning by stopping air leaks into your wood stove. If your stoves gaskets have worn out there are kits available to replace old gaskets and return your stove to peak efficiency. Properly installed gaskets will greatly improve burn times on wood stoves and help keep stove glass cleaner.
Replacement Stove Glass - In most cases stove glass should not need to be replaced, but if you accidently break the glass on your wood stove you can usually just replace the glass using either a tempered glass or a ceramic glass made for wood stoves or fireplace doors depending on your particular stove. The glass should be sealed tightly to the door to prevent air leaks. This is normally done with a flat woven gasket, usually with adhesive on one side. Some EPA certified stoves use specially coated glass. Check your manual. If this is the case, you can buy replacement coated glass from a wood stove dealer. Coated glass has a special side facing out so you should check it to make sure you are installing it the right way out.
Woodstove Extras - To maximize efficiency fire-logs are available that, when burned in your wood stove, change the creosote into a dry, loose, non-adhering deposit which flakes away and is easily brushed off. These can be used monthly during the peak burning season simply by adding the log to the hot embers of a wood fire.
