Wood Burning Stove and Fire Pit Review

Buy the Vogelzang Cast Iron Pot Belly Stove

Model# PB65XL

The Vogelzang Cast Iron Pot Belly Stove (model PB65XL) is the charming big brother of the Vogelzang BX26E. With a much higher BTU rating (200,000 BTU) it will provide heating for a much larger home than the smaller model.  And, with more traditional antique styling it is a real Cast Iron Pot Belly Stove to add a touch of old world charm to any room. Combined with one of the many in floor heating options this will make a room as warm as possible and a real comfort to be in.

Vogelzang Cast Iron Pot Belly Stove Model# PB65XL Features

• Full cast iron construction for great heat radiation
• Traditional pot belly stove design
• Flare top with 8″ lift out opening for kettle or fry pan
• Ash door with slide vent for draft control
• Large ash pan for easy cleaning
• Burns both wood and coal
• Large 40lb capacity allows coal to burn for 8 hours with a single lighting
• 8×10″ door with swivel draft control for easy filling
• Cool touch spring handle and lid lifter included
• 6″ flue (flue pipes not included)
• Size 34″H, x 20″W, x 22″D.
• 200,000 BTU (click for BTU calculator for your home)

There are currently no customer reviews available for the Vogelzang Cast Iron Pot Belly Stove (Model PB65XL).  Be sure to leave yours after purchasing to help future customers.

Buy the Vogelzang 96,000 BTU Cast Iron Boxwood Stove

Model# BX26E

TheVogelzang Cast Iron Boxwood Stove (Model  BX 26E) is an affordable wood burning stove.  Currently being sold at under $250 it provides serious heat at a low price.

Perhaps more suited to the rustic get away, cabin or garage this is not the flashiest wood burner.  But, it offers a great pot belly stove for those that love antique and rustic design.

Vogelzang Cast Iron Boxwood Stove Model BX26E Features

• Fully sealed joints to ensure safe and efficient burning of wood
• Swing away lid to make refuelling easy
• 2 lift out lids for your kettle and pan
• Slide out ash draw for easy cleaning and simple draft control
• Included are a cold touch spring handle and lid lifter
• 6″ flue (flue pipes not included)
• Total size 26″H, x 12″W, x 32″L.
• 96,000 BTU (click for BTU calculator for your home)
  
• Stability provided by wide set legs

The Vogelzang Cast Iron Stove – Model BX26E is supplied fully assembled apart from the legs.

Vogelzang Cast Iron Boxwood Stove Model BX26E Reviews

You can see from the reviews of the Vogelzang BX26E that reviews are mixed.  Some absolutely love this economical wood burning stove whilst others are less impressed.  To ensure you are happy with your purchase you nned to really decide this is the right stove for you.

As it is less expensive than some options there are a few points to consider.  For example the caulking at the joints will need to be reapplied in time.  To ensure you never experience smoke coming into your home it is important to keep the flue clear and get the fire burning hot quickly.

This is a cheaper stove that may need a little care and attention over the years.  But with an old-fashioned sturdy design, no glass to break and nothing technical to go wrong that attention should be nothing too complicated.

You could vastly improve the efficiency of the BX26E by using a flue pipe will a built in damper.  This will give you much greater control over the heat output and reduce heat loss via the chimney itself.  This is a useful tip for improving heat control and draft control with any cast iron wood burning stove, not just the Vogelzang BX26E.

Cast iron has been used to create solid fuel heating systems in the US since  1642.  Essentially these were boxes, made from flat sheets of cast iron pinned or bolted together.  In the 1740’s Benjamin Franklin improved on the idea for a cast iron wood burning stove creating the Pennsylvania Stove.  Over the next 60 years, several redesigns and improvements led to the kind of cast iron wood burners we use today.  Incorporating a slanted fire-back and adjustable damper giving efficient heat and control to the householder.

During the 200 years since then, the basic concept of the cast iron wood burner has remained the same.  But, with worries about pollution from wood-burning in the 1980s new models are much more efficient at cleanly burning wood.

Cast Iron Wood Burners

Cast iron has been viewed as a perfect material for wood burning stoves for a number of reasons:

• It is able to withstand the stresses and strains of changing temperatures.
• It quickly dissipates heat, so if one part of the fire is hot, the heat is spread so the whole fire is evenly warm.
• Although strong, cast iron is extremely easy to drill allowing for simple fixings.
• It is simple to incorporate decoration when pouring the cast iron and it will accept enamel easily.  This is probably part of it’s charm, cast iron personifies the Victorian era.
• Being made up in sections, it is simple to replace any damaged cast iron panel.
• Cast iron radiates heat well, and for a significant amount of time after the fire is finished.

Cast iron wood burning stoves are available in both antique and modernist designs.  Cheaper fires will often incorporate some sheet steel in their construction.  This is not a particularly bad thing, as welding makes sheet steel extremely easy to fit tightly together.  The sealed wood burning stove is an efficient wood burner.