6 Best Small Pellet Stoves (for Cabins & Small Homes)
There are times and situations when gas or electric heat isn’t practical. In those times, it is often necessary to fall back to the old standby wood for heating. Wood-burning stoves are great but can be smelly, messy, and, at times, dangerous. The alternative for many people is wood pellet stoves. We look at the best small pellet stoves for smaller spaces in this article.
Wood pellet stoves burn clean and produce more heat per pound of fuel than traditional wood stoves or fireplaces. The EPS estimates that certified wood pellet stoves are 80 percent efficient and produce little air pollution. Pellet wood stoves are among the cleanest burning solid fuel appliances while producing higher combustion rates and higher heat outputs.
| Wood Pellet Stove Model | BTU Output | Forced Air Fan | The Best Feature of this Stove |
| US Stove Company US GW1949 Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove, 60 lbs. Hopper, Black | 40,000 BTU’s | No | Simple, Rugged, and Dependable |
| Comfortbilt HP22 Pellet Stove Burgundy | 50,000 BTU’s | Yes | Feature-rich with a built-in 7-day programmable thermostat |
| Castle Serenity Stove 12327 Wood Pellet with Smart Controller | 9,575-22,226 BTU | Yes | The smallest stove on our list for smaller areas |
| pelpro Pellet Stove, 2,500 Sq Ft, PP130-B | 50,000 BTU’s | Yes | The 130-pound hopper on this stove is the largest we found |
| Cleveland Iron Works PS20W-CIW Mini Pellet Stove, Wi-Fi Enabled, Black | 25,000 BTU’s | Yes | A smaller stove with Wi-Fi connectivity |
| US Stove 5040 Pellet Stove, Small | 40,000 BTU’s | Yes | A traditional pedestal style pellet stove |
Choosing the right small wood pellet stove for your home can be confusing and challenging. In this article, we survey some of the best wood pellet stoves for smaller spaces. This information should help you make the best decision about which wood pellet stove best fits your situation.
Our Picks
In building our list of the best small wood pellet stoves, we tried to find stoves with various features. Therefore, we hope this list includes stoves that fit different needs such as BTU output, physical size, hopper capacity and style.
Simplicity is always a valuable factor. This need for simplicity is especially true if you are looking for an emergency backup heat source. Many people enjoy their more primitive time in the backcountry, where electricity may not be available. The US Stove Company Wiseway non-electric pellet stove is a great way to provide heat where there is no electricity.
Features and Factors
Let’s look at the basic specifications and features of the US Stove Company Wiseway non-electric pellet stove.
- The Wiseway stove has a sixty-pound pellet hopper that can provide up to thirty hours of continuous heating.
- The US Stove Wiseway pellet stove doesn’t require electricity to feed the pellets or fire the stove. Instead, the Wiseway pellet stove utilizes a natural gravity feed system without moving parts.
- No moving parts mean less maintenance and fewer mechanical problems.
- A glass viewing port allows you to see the flames burning in the combustion tube
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications of the US Stove Wiseway wood pellet stove is impressive as well
- EPA certified
- 40,000 BTU output will easily heat up to 2,000 square feet
- Width – 15 inches
- Depth – 24 inches
- Height – 52 inches
- Weight – 131 pounds
- Requires a 3-inch standard pellet stove vent
- No electricity required
- Small side clearance requirements for easy installation
- Adjustable fresh air intake allows you to manage the burn rate and heat production of this stove.
How do Users Feel About this Pellet Stove?
Overall, the US Stove Wiseway wood pellet stove gets high marks from purchasers. Most of those who purchase this stove do so because this stove doesn’t need electricity. Many of the comments focus on this feature. Most comments focus on these categories.
- This stove comes up to its rated 600-degree temperature very quickly, often in about 20 minutes
- The US Stove Wiseway pellet stove is great. It burns clean, leaving almost no ash.
- We follow the instructions about regular cleaning and have no troubles with this stove. It produces almost no smoke.
Some users do mention a few problems with the Wiseway pellet stove
- Most users don’t get the 30 hour burn time that the manufacturer advertises. Users seem to average about 40 lbs. of wood pellets every 12 hours.
What We Think About this stove
Simple is good in our book. We like the design of this stove. It isn’t elegant, but it is functional. If you choose to purchase and use a US Stove Wiseway non-electric pellet stove, there are some things you should consider.
- Without a blower and fan, heating space can take a while.
- We love the simplicity of this stove.
- Maintenance is critical on wood-burning stoves. However, maintenance on the US Stove Wiseway pellet stove seems even more important to keep the stove operating efficiently.
Comfortbilt is well-known for its line of wood pellet stoves. The Comfortbilt HP22 is probably the largest stove on our list. However, this stove is also at the top of the price range of all the stoves we surveyed. Remembering that you often get what you pay for, the quality of design and manufacturer is well worth the price of these stoves.
Features and Factors
As you might expect, being at the top of the price range, the Comfortbilt HP22 doesn’t skimp on the features.
- 50,000 BTU output gives the ability to easily warm a 2,000 square foot house in even the coldest outside conditions.
- The auto-ignition thermostatically controlled operation ensures that you won’t wake to a cold house. The system keeps your home warm and comfortable without constant attention.
- A built-in 7-day programmable thermostat allows you to leave the stove to operate unattended without risk of your home losing its heat.
- The HP22 pellet stove is available in an array of colors to fit into your home’s décor.
- The large viewing window allows you to enjoy the visual elegance of the flames
- Comfortbilt includes a one year warranty on parts
Technical Specifications
- EPA Certified 50,000 BTU capacity
- Fifty-five-pound pellet hopper
- Ash falls through design with an easily accessible ash pan
- Five power settings give up to twenty hours of burn time on the lowest setting
- Width – 24 inches
- Depth – 25 inches
- Height – 32.5 inches
- Weight – 295 pounds
- Requires a standard three-inch outlet vent and a two-inch fresh air intake
- It needs a 120-volt electrical source for the blower and controls
How Do Users Feel About this Pellet Stove?
The comments from purchasers and users of the Comfortbilt HP22 wood pellet stove reflect the overall quality of these stoves. The comments we reviewed generally focus on the categories listed below.
- This stove doesn’t shut down completely when it reaches the desired temperature. Instead, the control system idles back to the lowest setting, but the burn continues. This continuous burn is a great feature that keeps the house warmer and burns less fuel.
- These are very clean-burning stoves. As a result, we often can go two weeks without emptying the ash tray even when the temperature outside is near zero.
- The Comfortbilt wood pellet stove was easy to install. Get some help to move it. It is built well and is heavy
One downside to installing the Comfortbilt HP22 wood pellet stove is the requirement for a 3” double wall vent pipe. If you don’t have a double-wall vent pipe already installed, this can be an added expense to purchase and install.
What We Think About this Stove
If you need to heat a larger space efficiently, the Comfortbilt HP22 line of stoves is a clear choice. This stove makes our list of the best small wood pellet stoves for several reasons.
- This well-built stove will last for many years if properly maintained and operated.
- The style of this stove fits well into any décor and is available in an array of colors and options.
- We like the sophisticated control system that manages the fuel and blower speed for the most efficient use of your fuel
- A large hopper capacity reduces the amount of time needed to keep this stove burning.
One key factor to using a wood pellet stove to heat a home or apartment is properly sizing the stove to your space. Put a stove too large for your space, and your efficiency suffers. A stove too small for your space, and your stove will struggle to keep the space warm. The Castle Serenity Stove offers a smaller alternative for smaller spaces.
Features and Factors
A smaller stove doesn’t mean you must give up features. The Castle Serenity wood pellet stove with a smart controller is a feature-rich smaller stove.
- The Castle Serenity wood pellet stove is both EPA certified and certified for use in mobile homes.
- Easy installation that often takes less than two hours from start to finish.
- The twenty-four-hour programmable controller allows you to customize the heating cycles to fit your schedule.
- Castle makes maintenance on the Serenity wood pellet stove easy. Quick access to the firebox and the ash pan help you keep the stove running at peak efficiency.
- The addition of 2.5 square feet of fins to the burn box means better heat transfer and more efficiency with the Castle Serenity wood pellet stove.
- The Castle Serenity wood pellet stove provides enough heat to keep a 1500 square foot home comfortable in the coldest weather.
Technical Specifications
- Width – 18.5 inches
- Depth – 23.75 inches
- Height – 34 inches
- Weight – 186 pounds
- Requires 120-volt standard electrical service
- Twelve to Twenty-four hours burn time for forty pounds of pellets, depending on the settings.
- Thermal overload protection, safety shutoff, and heat shields included
- Requires a 3-inch standard vent outlet
How Do Users Feel About This Stove?
Overall, users of the Castle Serenity wood pellet stove report satisfactory service and good results with this stove. Most of the user comments focus on several categories.
- These stoves are reliable. Many users report years of service from their Castle Serenity stoves with nothing but routine maintenance.
- The Castle Serenity stoves get positive comments from purchasers about the looks of these stoves.
- Users like the easy maintenance. The ash pan and firebox are easy to access and quick to clean.
- Most users like that these stoves burn extremely clean without staining the viewing window.
Some users report that the built-in fan is a bit noisy and can be distracting when trying to watch TV or hold a conversation.
What We Think about This Stove
For smaller homes or apartments, the Castle Serenity wood pellet stove is a great selection. This stove allows you to match the stove’s output with the BTU’s needed to heat your space efficiently. We like many of the features of this stove, and that gets a place on our list.
- A great balance of features and price make this wood pellet stove a great choice.
- The easy to clean design of this wood pellet stove keeps maintenance quick and easy
- The Castle Serenity stove is one of the more efficient stoves on our list
- The electronic controller is easy to program and use
Check this out if your pellet stove is making a high-pitched noise.
One of the biggest chores associated with wood pellet stoves is keeping the hopper full of pellets. Typically, wood pellet stoves burn 40 lbs. of pellets every 12 to 24 hours and have hoppers that hold 40 0to 60 lbs. of pellets. The pelpro Pellet Stove makes the pellet refill chore easier by holding a whopping 130 lbs. of pellets.
Features and Factors
A huge pellet capacity isn’t the only feature that stands out about the pelpro pellet stove. Among the features that make us appreciate this stove are:
- Powerful 50,000 BTU heater rated for up to 2,500 square feet of space.
- A huge 120 lbs. pellet capacity for up to 96 hours of runtime without refilling
- Self-emptying fire pot for added convenience and easier maintenance
- EPA certified and rated at 87 percent efficiency
- Intuitive controls with self-igniting features
- Included fresh air intake makes this pellet stove mobile home certified
- Five-year firebox and one-year electrical warranty
Technical Specifications
- Width – 22.8 inches
- Depth – 24.5 inches
- Height – 36.5 inches
- Weight – 243 pounds
- EPA and mobile home certified
- Hopper holds 130 pounds of pellets
- Up to 96 hours of operating time on one hopper of pellets
- Automatic ignition
- Dial style thermostat
- Self-emptying burn pot
- Ash pot easily accessible from the front of the stove.
How do Users Feel About This Stove?
The reviews we found on the pelpro Pellet stove rank well above average. Users and purchasers of these stoves comment positively about their experiences with the pelpro pellet stove. In general, the comments follow these typical examples.
- The heat output is great. This stove easily heats out home both upstairs and downstairs with no problem
- The huge hopper holds three forty-pound bags of pellets. This stove can run for a week without refilling in mild climates.
- The thermostat works great. You can adapt the stove controls to work with a wall-mounted remote thermostat.
- Nice stove. Looks good, and the quality is evident in the fit and finish of the unit.
Some users of the pelpro Pellet Stove do report some problems with the vacuum system that controls the auger feed.
What we Think About This Stove
The standout feature of this stove is the extra-large pellet hopper. One hundred thirty pounds of pellets should last for days and nights with this stove. Among the other features that put this stove on our list are:
- The self-emptying firepot is an outstanding feature. The firepot blows out several times an hour and the ash fall into the easy to empty ash pot on the front of the stove.
- The simple dial thermostat is easy to understand and operate. Temperature ranges usually fall between 60 and 85 degrees from the one to ten settings.
- The quality of construction on this stove is immaculate.
- For the most efficient operation, proper maintenance is essential. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and schedules to get the most from your pelpro Pellet stove
Many people equate pellet stoves with old technology. We have indeed been heating ourselves and our homes with wood since our earliest histories. However, pellet stoves have brought a high-tech slant on wood heat. The Cleveland Iron Works Mini Pellet Stove brings Wi-Fi technology to wood heating.
Features ad Factors
This stove may be small but packs a wealth of features any pellet stove owner will appreciate.
- The lead feature on the Cleveland Iron Works Mini Pellet Stove is the Wi-Fi  technology that allows you to monitor and control your stove from your smartphone
- Heats up to 800 square feet of space in your home
- Includes an 18-pound pellet box
- A digital interface and remote control ensure easy operation
- Fresh air kit included in the package
- This stove boasts an 87 percent efficiency rating from the EPA
Technical Specifications
- Width – 20.27 inches
- Depth – 22.04 inches
- Height – 34.25 inches
- Weight – 143 pounds
- Wi-Fi  connectivity allows control of the stove from iOS and Android devices
- Solid steel and cast iron construction
How do Users Feel About This Stove?
Cleveland Iron Works stoves receive high ratings across the board from users and purchasers. The Mini Pellet Stove is no exception. Most users who comment on this stove mention one or more of the following categories.
- Cleveland stoves are dependable and rugged. No worries about these stoves standing the test of time.
- The Mini Pellet stove from Cleveland Iron Works is perfect for our small weekend cabin and quickly heats the space.
- The Wi-Fi technology is the icing on the cake. We can start the stove before we get home and arrive at a toasty warm space.
- The Mini Pellet stove made by Cleveland Iron Works is one of the quietest pellet stoves we have found or used.
What we Think About This Stove
Cleveland Iron Works has a reputation for building high-quality and dependable pellet stoves. The addition of Wi-Fi makes these Cleveland Iron Works stoves some of the most convenient and easy to use on the market.
- Everyone appreciates the convenience of Wi-Fi control for their appliances.
- The size of this stove is perfect for smaller cabins or homes. Using a smaller stove for auxiliary heat in a larger space is also an option.
- Although the hopper only holds 18 pounds of pellets, the efficiency of the stove gives more than 4 hours
- Pellet stoves are not noted for their quiet fans. However, the Cleveland Iron Works pellet stoves are some of the quietest on the market.
We include another US Stove entry onto our list of best small pellet stoves. The US Stove 5040 model is a traditional pedestal-style pellet stove that delivers the essential features and the quality for which US Stove is well known.
Features and Factors
US Stove is known for offering feature-rich stoves of all kinds. This company doesn’t skimp on its pellet stoves. Looking at the features of this US Stove small pedestal pellet stove, it is easy to understand why this US Stove makes our list.
- 45-pound hopper gives a burn time of up to 40 hours without refilling
- Remote thermostat hook up is included to augment the installed digital controls
- This stove easily heats up to 1800 square feet of space
- Small footprint easily fits into tight spaces
- EPA certified and approved for mobile installations
Technical Specifications
- Built-in variable speed blower
- 45-pound hopper capacity
- Requires a standard 3-inch vent
- Auto-ignite and digital controls
- Height – 28.5 inches
- Width – 24.5 inches
- Depth – 24.5 inches
- Weight – 195 pounds
- Requires a 120-volt standard electrical connection
How do Users Feel About This Stove?
Many users give good reports about this stove from the US Stove Company. The biggest complaint about these stoves concerns the quality of the customer service and not the quality of the stoves. Comments about the US Stove small pellet stove include:
- Easy to install and works as advertised.
- Looks good, and the fit and finish are above average
- The larger pellet capacity is appreciated
Anyone considering this stove from US Stove Company should be aware of some problems other customers have had getting warranty service or parts from the company.
What we Think About This Stove
If you are in the market for a traditional pedestal-style pellet stove, the US Stove small pedestal pellet stove is a good place to start. We added this stove to our list for several reasons.
- The traditional style of this pedestal stove is one that many people prefer
- The digital controls and the ability to link a remote thermostat is a great feature
- A large 40-pound hopper gives longer burn times between refills than some other stoves
- Heavy steel and cast iron construction
Three Factors to Consider in any Pellet Stove
Before purchasing any pellet stove to install in your home, there are three factors you must consider. These factors will directly bear on how well the stove works in your space and how satisfied you are with the results.
- Chose the right size stove – You should size the pellet stove for the space you want to heat. If you put a larger stove than necessary in your space, you risk compromising the efficiency of the stove. Pellet stoves are rated by the EPA for their BTU output and their efficiency. Match your stove as closely as possible to the size of your space and your needs.
- Don’t rely on a pellet stove as your main heat source – Pellet stoves usually depend on electricity to operate properly. If electricity is not available during emergencies, the pellet stove will not operate, and you will get cold. In general, pellet stoves are best at providing extra heat.
- All pellet stoves require regular maintenance to remain efficient – To keep your pellet stove operating at peak efficiency, you must perform maintenance on a regular basis. You must empty the fire pot and ash box regularly. Regular cleaning of the vent pipe ensures proper airflow through the firebox.
Other considerations are part of using any wood product for fuel as part of your heating system. Be sure you are well acquainted with the requirements for safely burning wood or wood pellets for heat.
Pellets Can Shine in Your Heating Needs
There is no doubt that a wood pellet stove can add economy and comfort to your heating needs. Doing a bit of research before you buy and matching your needs and your wood pellet stove are the keys to a successful installation.
We hope this article has given you some insight into finding the proper small wood pellet stove for your home.
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Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. He worked in the trades part-time while serving as an active firefighter. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years.
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