The best wood stoves are made with experience using high quality materials in American manufacturing facilities and installed with care by a local hearth shop. Modern free-standing wood stoves are EPA certified, high efficiency home heaters. A new wood stove can save you money and provide peace of mind through the winter. A wood stove is vented above the roofline abiding by the 3-2-10 rule for chimney height. Top wood stove manufacturers usually make two types of stove catalytic wood burning stoves and non-catalytic wood burning stoves.
Vermont Castings, Blaze King and Quadra-Fire are some of the best wood stove brands currently available on the market. All three brands are made in North America and sold by reputable hearth retailers who can install, service and support your wood stove into the future. Buying a cheap $600 wood stove from a big box store will oftentimes lead to a cold winter. Buying a wood stove from a top wood stove brand increases the likelihood you will get a safe installation and quality service into the future. For this post, we will focus on our love of Vermont Castings wood stoves.
Vermont Castings
Buy a Vermont Castings (VC) wood stove if you want a beautiful wood stove with long burn times. VC is focused on design quality wood stoves that look stunning in any home. The heat provided is made more efficient with a catalytic combustor that leads to long burn times. Many people have a misunderstanding about catalytic wood stoves, leading to a misconception about their value and use. Catalytic wood stoves require a bit more effort and patience than their counterpart, secondary burn wood stoves using burn tubes and a baffle board to reburn the smoke. In short, catalytic wood stoves get longer burn times than burn tubes but can be a bit more difficult to use for inexperienced wood burners with moist wood.
Vermont Castings excels in catalytic combustion because of four key design and engineering features:
High-Quality Catalytic Combustors
Their stoves use platinum or palladium-coated ceramic honeycomb catalysts, which reduce gas ignition temps from 1,100°F to as low as 500°F. This ensures clean, extended burns at low heat output, ideal for overnight heating.Thermostatic Air Control
Most models include an integrated thermostat that automatically adjusts the air intake, maintaining consistent combustion. This improves burn duration and keeps catalyst temps within optimal range.Bypass Damper Design
Vermont Castings uses a manual or thermostatically triggered bypass damper that routes smoke away from the catalyst until the fire is hot enough. This protects the catalyst and extends its lifespan.Heavy Cast Iron Construction
Cast iron retains heat and maintains stable firebox temperatures, helping the catalytic combustor maintain its operating range for longer periods boosting both efficiency and emissions performance.
Result: Long, steady, low-emission heat output, especially useful for users needing constant low-level heat in tightly insulated homes.
Vermont Castings History and Catalytic Wood Stove Innovation
Founded: 1975 in Randolph, Vermont by Duncan Syme and Murray Howell.
Philosophy: Blend of craftsmanship, function, and sustainability. Early stoves combined cast iron artistry with advanced combustion.
Vermont Castings Wood Stove Contributions
Early Adoption of EPA Standards (1980s):
Among the first U.S. manufacturers to embrace catalytic technology after the 1988 EPA wood stove emission regulations. Set industry benchmarks.Defiant & Encore Models:
These flagship models integrated thermostatic air control and bypass dampers, becoming industry standards for catalytic performance and aesthetics.Innovation in Thermostatic Design:
Developed automatic air intake systems—a key differentiator—allowing long burn cycles without user adjustment. Unique in a market of mostly manual controls.Acquisition and Preservation:
Merged with CFM Majestic and later acquired by Hearth & Home Technologies (HHT). Despite corporate changes, core technology and craftsmanship preserved until today.
