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Which Wood Stove Should I Choose for a Log Cabin or Shed?
Do you have a summerhouse, shepherds hut, shed or log cabin that you like to relax in? Have you thought about installing a wood stove in there to help keep you cozy and warm? Great idea!
Having a wood stove in your shed or log cabin offers you sustainable and convenient heat for when you are enjoying the outdoors - take a look at our Q&A with glamping experts, Crown & Canopy, to find out more about their outdoor appeal.
But first, you need to find a suitable log burner that will be both safe and effective for fitting inside your shed or cabin - so, to help you out, we’ve put together a list of wood burning stoves that are ideal for this exact purpose.
Can you put a log burner in a shed or log cabin?
Many people worry that spaces such as sheds and log cabins are not suitable for wood stoves - indeed, the combination of fire and a flammable small space does seem slightly counterintuitive!
However, you needn’t be concerned. So long as it is installed properly by a competent HETAS registered engineer, fitting a wood stove in a cabin is perfectly safe.
Related: Finding a Stove Installer
Installing a Wood Burning Stove in a Shed or Log Cabin
Due to the combustible materials log cabins are made from, and the small space inside that could be very dangerous in the instance of a carbon monoxide leak, we wouldn’t recommend installing a wood burning stove in a shed as a DIY job.
Nevertheless, you will still need to choose a wood stove for your cabin that best suits your needs. The main things to take into consideration are the size of the stove and the required distance to combustibles - this means how much clearance space you need to leave between the stove and the wall, ceiling or any other furnishings; the smaller, the better.
To help you out, there is an excellent heat shield product available called Vlaze. The range is created out of highly heat resistant vitreous enamel and can be mounted on walls, allowing you to half the required distance to combustibles on most stoves. Not only this, but it also has a stunning finish that will look fantastic in your cabin!
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You will also need to purchase a twin wall flue for your cabin’s wood stove. This will need to be used in lieu of a chimney - as we assume your shed or cabin won’t have one! These are created by joining together sections of double-walled stainless steel insulated pipe, which is the only type of pipe which is safe to pass through your log cabin wall or roof.
Fireproofing is also essential for installing a wood burner in a shed or cabin. Fireproof flashing and heat resistant cement must be used properly to provide you with adequate safety protection. You will also need to ensure the roof is still secure after cutting a hole for your flue.
Our Best Cabin and Shed Log Burners to Choose From
For small log cabins, finding a small wood burner that can be safely installed is key. But, there are other features to bear in mind, such as:
- Do you want a DEFRA approved stove?
- Do you want to be able to cook with your log burner?
- How efficient would you like your stove to be?
- Will you be burning wood alone or smokeless fuel, too?
So, to help you find the perfect wood stove for your log cabin or shed, we’ve put together a list of the best options - all with low distance to combustibles, small in size and with a variety of options to suit your needs…
Ekol Apple Pie Ecodesign Wood Stove - 4kW
The Ekol Apple Pie Wood Stove is the perfect cabin wood stove or shed log burner, having been designed specifically for use in small spaces. It has a low distance to combustibles requirement of 250mm to the rear and 350mm to the sides, plus the flue can either be attached at the top or behind, making it a fantastic small cabin wood stove option.
Along with being DEFRA approved, it has an efficiency rating of 82% as well as a multifuel grate for flexibility.
What we really love about this great little 4kW wood burner is just how customisable it is. You can choose the stove body and door colour to your liking, plus there is the option of a log stand, warming plate and side shelves for added convenience.
Ekol Baked Apple Pie Ecodesign Wood Stove - 4kW
Along with all the fantastic features of the Ekol Apple Pie stove above, the Ekol Baked Apple has one more USP - an added baking oven which uses the heat from the fire below to allow you to cook with!
Still maintaining compact dimensions, this an ideal small wood stove for a cabin or shed, boasting an impressive viewing window and an ample 4kW heat output. Like the Apple Pie, it has a multifuel grate, though be aware that this one only has a rear flue output, so check this suits your log cabin stove requirements.
With an 82% efficiency rating, both of the Ekol stoves listed are also Ecodesign ready, meaning they burn incredibly clean with minimal air pollution.
Go Eco Adventurer 5 Glamping Stove - 4.5kW
With a design that is full of character, this cabin wood stove not only looks great, but has all the specs you need, too. With a fantastic heat output of up to 4.5kW, it is bound to give your shed the heat it needs, while its Ecodesign burner, 85% efficiency and A+ energy rating should assure you you are getting the best performance.
The Go Eco Adventurer 5 can easily be installed in most small log cabins and sheds, measuring just 324mm in width x 401mm in depth x 506mm in height. The flue outlet is positioned in the top and it includes a multifuel grate for both wood and smokeless fuel.
Want to be able to cook in your cabin? Take a look at the Go Eco Adventurer 5 Stove with Oven, which includes wire shelving and a temperature gauge to cook your glamping food to perfection.
Mendip Woodland DEFRA Convection Stove - 5kW
If you are looking for a shed log burner with a little more indoor appeal, the Mendip Woodland 5kW DEFRA Convection Stove is ideal. With a homely exterior, this multifuel stove has a distance to combustibles requirement of just 100mm to both the sides and rear! This makes it easy to fit into tighter spaces safely, while still allowing you to keep warm with its powerful 5kW heat output.
Saltfire Peanut 3 Ecodesign Stove
Saltfire’s Peanut Stove range is incredibly popular, thanks to their iconic cast iron construction, with excellent heat retention and ultra-clean burning technology. As the smallest in the range, the Saltfire Peanut 3 makes an ideal shed log burner, boasting a 4.7kW heat output that should heat up your cabin nicely.
It does require a little more distance to combustibles to the sides than most of the stoves on this list - 550mm - though it needs only 150mm to the rear. Another benefit is its multi fuel grate, giving you versatility when choosing what to burn, and its large viewing window. There is also an option of a stainless steel cooking plate, helping you create the perfect hideaway in your shed or log cabin!
Charnwood Country 4 Blue Ecodesign Wood Stove
The Charnwood Country 4 is another best selling model that can also make an ideal log cabin or shed wood burner. It has a charming country inspired design that is available in Charnwood’s selection of different colours, so you can really inject some personality into your cabin.
Not only does it look the part, but this stove is also well equipped for installation in sheds and cabins. It offers a strong 5kW of heat output and is Ecodesign ready to ensure minimal pollution and air particles are released into the environment. What’s more, its 550mm rear distance to combustibles requirement can be reduced to just 150mm when using a heatshield.
Need more help choosing a shed log burner or cabin wood stove? You can always contact us for more advice from our knowledgeable sales team.
More from the Direct Stoves blog…
Can I Install a Wood Burning Stove in a Conservatory? | How to Have a Wood Burning Stove Without a Chimney | Small Stoves, Big Heat
