Wood Stoves Are Not Just for Log Cabins

Wood stoves are much more than an old-fashioned appliance. They're also a charming way to add beauty while reducing heating fuel costs in your home. And with the addition of a few simple accessories, you'll be able to get even more out of your wood stove than you imagined. To learn about some of the most popular wood stove accessories and their benefits, read on.

Wood stoves are much more than an old-fashioned appliance. They're also a charming way to add beauty while reducing heating fuel costs in your home. And with the addition of a few simple accessories, you'll be able to get even more out of your wood stove than you imagined. To learn about some of the most popular wood stove accessories and their benefits, read on.

Wood Stove Accessories

Circulating Fans
These attractive and practical accessories help transfer the warm air from the stove throughout the room. Two different types include doorway fans that move heat into other rooms, and fans built to fit into existing ducts so they can better disperse heat throughout the home.

Air Supply Ventilators
Modern homes are built to be air-tight. This can prevent a wood stove from drawing enough air to burn efficiently, which can also create excessive smoking. The problem can be resolved with air supply ventilators installed through an outside wall. No power source is necessary since the ventilators use the home's negative air pressure inside to run. The improved draft means more efficient burning.

Draft Inducers
Electrically powered Draft Inducers help to increase the air flow up a chimney, which increases the negative pressure (draft) in the stove to prevent smoke leakage.

Wood Stove Kettles
Feeling parched? Wood stoves not only warm, but also dry out the air in your home. Wood stove kettles help humidify the room's air and serve as an attractive decorative element. Simply fill the kettle with water and place it on the stove. (Tip: porcelain-coated kettles won't rust on the inside.)

Wood Stove Steamers
Use steamers to humidify the air, or add potpourri to the water to create a pleasant fragrance.

Trivets
These durable cast-iron hot plates are decorative as well as practical. Use trivets to protect your stove top from rust spots that can be cause by kettles or steamers. Trivets also prevent kettles or cooking pots from getting too hot.

Wood Stove Thermometer
Ensure your fireplace is burning at peak efficiency by using a thermometer. It will help cut down on the wood expense, while reducing maintenance and improving safety. The thermometers usually attaches to the stovepipe with a magnet or by drilling a small hole in the stove pipe.

Hearth Pad
Use a hearth pad if your wood stove is not on a fire-proof floor to provide the protective layer of insulation necessary to prevent damage.

Stove Pipe Shams
Turn your ordinary stove pipe into a stylish accent piece. Stove pipe shams help dress up plain black stove pipes by adding a dash of color. Installation is easy and there's no need to disconnect or remove the pipe.

High-Temperature Paints
These specially designed paints are made to withstand high temperatures that can cause ordinary paint to peel and blister. A variety of high-temperature paints are available for touching up, renewing, and protecting the finish on steel or cast-iron wood stoves. You can also add shine and luster to your black wood stove with high-temperature polishes.

Gaskets
Use gaskets to Improve the efficiency of your wood stove and keep the stove glass cleaner longer. Gaskets normally last a long time. However, if your stoves gaskets are worn out, replacement kits are available to help restore your stove to peak efficiency.