What’s the best tiny house wood stove?
There are several really good contenders when it comes to choosing a new mini wood stove for your tiny house. The best one for you will depend on several factors, which we’ll look into below.
A wood stove is a great way to keep warm throughout the year and has some definite advantages over other heating methods (along with some disadvantages). After spending weeks studying the options, these are our top picks for the best tiny house wood stove.
Best Small Wood Stove For Tiny House
Dwarf Tiny Wood Stove |
| View 5kw Dwarf StoveView All Dwarf Stoves | |
Cubic Mini Wood Stove |
| View Grizzly Mini Wood StoveView CUB Mini Wood Stove | |
Caboose Tiny Wood Stove |
| View On Flame InnovationView Other Models |
Check out the links through this next section for complete reviews (with specs and features) of these tiny house wood-burning stoves.
After extensive research on tiny house wood stoves, we concluded that Dwarf Tiny Wood Stoves are the best option (at least in the USA).
The Dwarf range is much hardier and has superior features and capabilities compared to the Cubic Mini Wood Stoves.
For example, the Dwarf stoves have twice the steel thickness of the Cubic Mini stoves. This means they can withstand higher burning temperatures and be used as full-time heaters, ecen through the coldest winters.
The downside of this, of course, is that they weigh a lot more. This shouldn’t matter too much in a tiny house that isn’t moved often, but it’s more of a factor when buying a camper or RV wood stove.
If you do a lot of driving, weight can be an important factor when choosing the right heating. But if your tiny home is mostly stationary, then weight shouldn’t be the focus in quite the same way.
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There are many other differences between these two brands which you can consider in our Cubic Mini VS Dwarf Tiny Wood Stove comparison.
This includes the fact that the Dwarf Stove has an ash pan and air wash feature, whereas the Cubic Mini does not. It’s little features like this that make the Dwarf stove stand out.
At the end of the day, it may come down to budget.
They are both excellent stoves for the price: the Cubic is a bit cheaper and the Dwarf is more expensive, but they both offer good value for money.
Our last wood-burning pick in the table above is the Caboose Wood Stove. It’s a US-made option that is also very well-built and designed to last the test of time.
The Pipsqueak wood stove is a basic and affordable model for anyone based in the UK!
Here are some video reviews or overviews of these tiny house stoves, followed by a specs comparison.
1. Dwarf Tiny Wood Stove
As mentioned above, if you click through the links to our complete articles on these mini woodstoves you’ll find more extensive reviews.
Here are just a few videos full of real-life feedback that we think summarizes the prevailing perspective on these products.
The Dwarf Stove is definitely more robust and has a few more options. For example, you can vent the chimney out the back leaving the top plate completely free for cooking!
2. Cubic Mini Grizzly Wood Stove
The Cubic Mini Grizzly is a very popular option.
It’s made in Canada and can be shipped worldwide. It is OK for use through winter in spaces between 200 and 400 square feet.
Not only is it good for tiny houses, but it’s also commonly used on boats!
3. Cubic Mini Cub Wood Stove
The CUB is one of the very smallest wood stoves out there.
It’s not suitable for winter use, unless you are in a warmer climate. Rather, it’s good for use during spring and fall in homes between 100 – 200 square feet.
It is basically identical to the Grizzly, just smaller.
4. Caboose Small Wood Stove
The Caboose is manufactured by the passionate team at Flame Innovation in Idaho.
They take their wood stove designs very seriously, and you will discover it has a unique shape and style for a reason!
Flame Innovation also makes the Mini Me Wood Stove that burns compressed logs rather than wood.
5. Pipsqueak Mini Wood Stove
The Pipsqueak is another tiny wood burner for small homes and can be bought on Amazon in the UK.
It is available on eBay in the US, but shipping can be very expensive.
This stove has more of an old-timey look to it that would be perfect for certain tiny homes.
Comparing Wood Stoves For Tiny Homes
Check out this table that breaks down the specs of the Cub, Grizzly, and Dwarf.
Dwarf Stove | CUB Mini Stove | GRIZZLY Mini Stove | |
Output | 7,500 – 20,000 BTU | 6,000 – 14,000 | 8,000 – 18,000 |
Weight | 55 – 150 lbs | 25 lbs | 39 lbs |
Fuel | Wood and coal | Wood | Wood |
Air Wash | Yes | No | No |
Riddling Grate | Yes | No | No |
Rear Vent | Yes | No | No |
Ash Pan | Yes | No | No |
And if you wanted to know about the different sizes of Dwarf stoves, here you go!
Dwarf 3kw | Dwarf 4kw | Dwarf 5kw | |
Measurements | 17” H x 10.25” W x 8.5” D | 19.5” x 12” W x 9” D | 22” H x 11” D x 14” W |
Fuel | Wood and coal | Wood and coal | Wood and coal |
Output | 7500 – 11500 BTU | 11000-15000 BTU | 14500 – 20000 BTU |
Heat Capacity | Less than 300 sq. ft. | Less than 500 sq. ft. | Less than 500 sq. ft. |
Weight | 75lbs | 100lbs | 150lbs |
Material | Cast iron and steel | Cast iron and steel | Cast iron and steel |
Ideal for | Small tiny houses | Mid-sized tiny homes in warmer climates | Mid to large tiny houses in very cold climates |
Most tiny houses are between 100 and 500 square feet, so these wood stoves should generate enough heat for your home.
The big difference is that the Dwarf is considered a full-time heater, while the Cubic Mini Stoves can’t be run quite as hard.
Again, our Tiny Stove Reviews provide all the pros and cons of each wood Stove.
Tiny Home Wood Stove FAQs
Can I put a wood stove in a tiny house?
Yes, most tiny houses are suitable for wood stove heating.
However, every country and state has different regulations and requirements around them. Insurance companies can also have stipulations around the installation and use of a wood stove in a tiny house.
Do your homework before buying, and talk to your local governing body to determine whether or not a wood stove is the best idea for your home.
Remember that along with the stove itself, you’ll need to buy a flue kit to vent the appliance and also buy or arrange heat shields around the fire and flue.
What’s the smallest tiny home wood-burning stove?
The Cubic Mini CUB is one of the smallest wood stoves.
Its dimensions are 11″ w x 12″ h x 10.5″ d. However, the tiniest wood stove ever is called the Q-T Micro. It’s fully functional but cannot actually heat a space – it’s best for roasting marshmallows!
How much wood does it take to heat a tiny house?
Compared to a regular size wood stove, a tiny home stove requires very little wood to heat up a small space.
The downside with these stoves, however, is that they require wood more frequently. They burn through the smaller pieces of wood quickly and need to be fed every hour or so.
Where can I store my wood?
Most people opt to store their wood under cover outside. It’s best to locate the wood pile as close to the door as possible.
Then, have a log basket you can fill up and sit inside so that the wood itself can thaw a bit before putting it on the fire.
Our friends at My Wee Abode have some helpful small apartment storage ideas that could also be adapted for tiny house wood storage.
How much space do you need for a tiny woodstove?
If you do not use heat shields around your stove, you will need to have 20 – 25 inches of clearance around it.
If you use heat shields, this can be brought down to as little as 2-inches (check specific stoves for exact recommendations).
Many people install their mini wood stove on top of storage shelves or that sort of thing. That way it’s easier to load up with wood, it gives you extra storage under the stove (wood storage, for example), and it will cost you less when buying your flue.
The other thing to consider is venting. While the Dwarf stove can be vented from the back or top, the Cubic Mini’s only vents out the top. Back venting requires more space but gives a greater cook surface on top of the stove.
How are tiny houses heated and cooled?
Many people choose wood stoves because of their duel purpose. You can cook on them and use them to heat your space.
Other options include propane heaters, diesel heaters, infrared heaters, and more ordinary electric heaters.
How do you heat off the grid in a tiny house?
A wood-burning stove is the best option unless you’ve got solar panels.
Also, solar isn’t always that reliable during the winter months in very cold climates.
Best Tiny House Wood Stove
The Dwarf wood stoves are the best option because of their extra features, stronger build, and the option to vent out the back. However, there is a higher up-front cost involved.
The Cubic Mini wood stoves are also very good, they just have fewer bells and whistles, and are not as heavy-duty. They are likely a better wood stove for a tiny house on wheels that moves around a lot.
Whatever you decide, they’re both good options and will keep your tiny home heated.
Let us know if you have any questions or comments down below, and if not, check out the Pioneer Princess Cook Stove – it’s NOT for a tiny home, but if you ever upgrade to a larger dwelling, keep it in mind!
So many great ideas for tiny house wood stoves! Never knew there were so many options! Thanks for sharing my small apartment storage ideas, as well!