The Stove Shop Fireplace Experts Blog

Honest, educational information about fireplaces and stoves across wood, gas, pellet and electric hearth products.

Learn more about gas fireplace inserts, wood fireplaces, pellet stoves from top brands like Vermont Castings, Harman, SimpliFire, Quadra-Fire, Heatilator and Heat & Glo.

The Stove Shop specializes in the installation and service of wood, gas, pellet and electric home heating appliances. Locally owned, family business serving southeastern, Pennsylvania since 1977.

pellet stove

What Does a Pellet Stove Installation Cost in 2026?

Patrick Ryan 02/18/2026

What Does a Wood Fireplace Insert Install Cost in 2026?

Patrick Ryan 02/06/2026

the stove shop team standing outside their fireplace shop in phoenixville, pa

Want to Upgrade Your Fireplace? Here are the Steps

Patrick Ryan 01/28/2026

firewood

Firewood | How to Start a Fire in Your Fireplace or Wood Stove?

Patrick Ryan 01/26/2026

Why the EPA Doesn’t Use Firewood for Testing? Cord v Crib Wood

Patrick Ryan 01/26/2026

gas logs

What is a Gas Insert & How is it Different from a Gas Fireplace?

Patrick Ryan 01/25/2026

escape-close-up

How to Find Stove or Fireplace Serial Number, Make & Model?

Patrick Ryan 01/25/2026

d.j. cross chimney sweep work example

Our Favorite Chimney Sweeps in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Patrick Ryan 01/21/2026

8kx gas fireplace

Our Favorite Gas Fireplace for a New Installation in 2026

Patrick Ryan 01/18/2026

Woman relaxing in front of a gas fireplace staying warm & reading her iPad.

Is a Gas Fireplace Lifespan Really 15 to 20 Years on Average?

Patrick Ryan 01/18/2026

chimney-service

What is a Level 2 Chimney Inspection? When Do You Need One?

Patrick Ryan 01/18/2026

gas fireplace installation cost

What Does a New Gas Fireplace Installation Cost in 2026?

Patrick Ryan 01/17/2026

gas stove for home heating

Favorite Freestanding Gas Stove for Home Heating in 2026

Patrick Ryan 01/17/2026

Gas Fireplace

Do Glass Fireplace Doors Help Reduce Cold Draft?

Patrick Ryan 01/16/2026

Pellet Fireplace Insert

What are the Best Pellet Fireplace Inserts in 2026?

Patrick Ryan 01/15/2026

wood relaxing in front of wood stove

Where to Find Obsolete Parts for Your Old Stove or Fireplace?

Patrick Ryan 01/15/2026

electric fireplace

Our Favorite DIY Electric Fireplaces in 2026

Patrick Ryan 01/15/2026

wood fireplace insert

Our Favorite Wood Fireplace Inserts in 2026

Patrick Ryan 01/14/2026

man using linear electric fireplace

What are the Best Electric Fireplaces in 2026?

Patrick Ryan 01/13/2026

How to radiate more heat with my fireplace?

How to Get More Heat from Your Old Fireplace?

Patrick Ryan 01/09/2026

Heat & Glo 6K Gas Fireplace

Best Gas Fireplaces for Custom Homes & Builders in 2026

Patrick Ryan 01/09/2026

Couple staying warm with their Harman pellet stove

Our Favorite Pellet Stove in 2026

Patrick Ryan 01/06/2026

fuel guide 2024 pennsylvania

2026 Fireplace Fuel Cost Guide (Wood, Gas, Pellet & more)

Patrick Ryan 01/02/2026

gas fireplace service repair

Gas Fireplace Service & Repair Costs in 2026

Patrick Ryan 12/30/2025

black wood stove

Our Favorite Free Standing Wood Stove in 2026

Patrick Ryan 12/29/2025

dawn series steel gas stove from ds stoves

Best Steel Gas Stoves for Basements and Garages in 2026

Patrick Ryan 12/26/2025

creosote chimney

What is the Average Cost of Chimney Sweeping in 2026?

Patrick Ryan 12/25/2025

electric fireplace cost project

What Does an Electric Fireplace Cost to Install in 2026?

Patrick Ryan 12/24/2025

best gas fireplace insert

Our Top Gas Fireplace Insert for Heat in 2026

Patrick Ryan 12/20/2025

hamer pellets

Our Favorite Wood Pellets for Heating Fuel in 2026

Patrick Ryan 12/20/2025

girl laying in front of a fireplace

How Do You Upgrade Your Fireplace in 2026?

Patrick Ryan 12/18/2025

chase cover brick chimney

What is a Chimney Chase Cover and How You Can Replace One?

Patrick Ryan 12/07/2025

thermocouple

What is a Thermocouple versus a Thermopile? – Fireplace Experts

Patrick Ryan 12/04/2025

andirons wood stove

What are Andirons and How Do Firedogs Protect My Fireplace?

Patrick Ryan 12/02/2025

measuring fireplace clearances

What Does Clearances to Combustibles Mean? – Fireplace Experts

Patrick Ryan 12/02/2025

firebricks

What are Firebricks & Refractory Panels and How to Fix Them?

Patrick Ryan 11/14/2025

babyproof fireplace gate

Best Method to Babyproof a Gas Fireplace or Wood Stove?

Patrick Ryan 11/14/2025

wood stove rope gasket replacement

How to Safely Replace Wood Stove Rope Gasket?

Patrick Ryan 11/14/2025

wood fireplace insert montpelier-ii

What to Look for in a Wood Burning Fireplace Insert?

Patrick Ryan 11/13/2025

Fireplace service tech repairing a broken existing appliance. Gas fireplace service near me.

Why Choose an NFI Pro? Find Quality Gas Fireplace Service!

Patrick Ryan 11/10/2025

gas fireplace insert

Can I Upgrade the Old Fireplace My Builder Put In?

Patrick Ryan 10/16/2025

Couple staying warm with their Harman pellet stove

How Often Should You Get Your Pellet Stove Serviced?

Patrick Ryan 10/14/2025

Family playing games next to pellet fireplace insert

Wood Stoves vs Pellet Stoves (What’s the Difference?)

Patrick Ryan 10/14/2025

gas fireplace insert installation

What is NFI Certified? (The Top Safety Standard for Fireplaces)

Patrick Ryan 10/14/2025

electric grid

Why Your Electric Bill is Up and What It Means for Home Heat?

Patrick Ryan 10/12/2025

Vermont Castings Encore Classic Black Wood Stove with a cozy wood fire burning.

What is Our Favorite Wood Burning Stove Brand?

Patrick Ryan 10/03/2025

propane tanks 120lbs

What Does Fireplace Propane Tank Installation Cost?

Patrick Ryan 10/03/2025

The Stove Shop Fireplace Experts Storefront in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

What Info Should You Bring With You to A Fireplace Showroom?

hipatchryan 09/15/2025

family gas fireplace insert

What is a Fireplace Insert and When Do You Need One?

Patrick Ryan 09/10/2025

gas fireplace service bag

What is NFPA 211? A Standard to Keep Your Fireplace Install Safe

Patrick Ryan 09/09/2025

gas fireplace

Can You Add a Fireplace to a Home that Doesn’t Have One?

Patrick Ryan 09/09/2025

electric fireplace with tv

What Fireplaces Can You Use with a TV Wall?

Patrick Ryan 09/08/2025

How to Upgrade Your Old Fireplace in Chester County, PA?

Patrick Ryan 08/23/2025

ted ryan wood stove the stove shop owner founder 1977

Fireplace Manufacturer & Brand List from Your Local Stove Shop

Patrick Ryan 08/15/2025

friends hanging out next to their fireplace

You Just Moved Into a Home with a Fireplace – What’s Next?

Patrick Ryan 08/13/2025

baby mom fireplace

Answering Your Most Frequently Asked Fireplace Questions

Patrick Ryan 08/13/2025

dog pellet stove

Where to Find Your Fireplace Owner’s Manual?

Patrick Ryan 08/13/2025

Encore Wood Stove Burning

Tax Credit Ending Early in 2025 Instead of 2032

Patrick Ryan 08/09/2025

What Happens at a Gas Fireplace Service Call?

Patrick Ryan 06/13/2025

Vermont Castings Encore Classic Black Wood Stove with a cozy wood fire burning.

What Makes a Vermont Castings Wood Stove So Special?

Patrick Ryan 06/12/2025

basement wood stove installation removal

Basement Wood Stove Mess? Pellet is the Perfect Upgrade!

Patrick Ryan 06/11/2025

3-2-10 Rule for Chimney Height Example

What is the 3-2-10 Rule for Chimney Height?

Patrick Ryan 06/11/2025

provident gas fireplace insert

Rental Home Fireplace? – Your Landlord’s Favorite Gas Insert

Patrick Ryan 06/03/2025

Couple relaxing in front of their Escape gas fireplace insert

Our Favorite Gas Fireplace Insert in 2026

Patrick Ryan 06/03/2025

caliber-heatilator

What is a Heatilator Fireplace?

Patrick Ryan 05/31/2025

best blackstone grill

Working Man’s Outdoor Kitchen Setup for Under $1000

Patrick Ryan 05/25/2025

new homeowner gas fireplace

5 Fireplace Must Knows for New Homeowners

Patrick Ryan 05/23/2025

wood stove

Top Down Method is the Best Way to Start a Fire

Patrick Ryan 05/12/2025

firewood-wood-stove

How Many Pieces of Stove Wood are in a Cord of Firewood?

Patrick Ryan 05/12/2025

firewood-wood-stove

How to Store Firewood for Winter?

Patrick Ryan 02/28/2025

Map of The Stove Shop customers

Best Fireplace Showrooms Serving Chester County, Pennsylvania

Patrick Ryan 02/20/2025

pilgrim wood ash bucket

Why Do You Need a Specialized Fireplace Ash Bucket?

Patrick Ryan 12/11/2024

electric fireplace

Do Electric Fireplaces Actually Heat my Home?

Patrick Ryan 12/11/2024

firewood storage wood stove cords

Where to Buy Firewood for my Wood Stove in Chester County, PA?

Patrick Ryan 11/05/2024

How to Get a Permit in East Pikeland Township Chester County, PA?

Patrick Ryan 03/23/2024

ted ryan wood stove the stove shop owner founder 1977

The Stove Shop in Phoenixville, PA Marks 49 Years in Business

Patrick Ryan 03/22/2024

Vermont Castings Encore Classic Black Wood Stove with a cozy wood fire burning.

Buy a New Wood Stove, Save Up to $2000 NOW through 2025

Patrick Ryan 02/13/2024

Please do not use any of this fireplace, stove or hearth information as a sole source of installation or service information. Utilize the services of an authorized retailer for the brand you choose to install in your home.