Convection stoves
The Convection stove has an extra side panel which forms a spacing channel between it and the main body of the stove. Cold air is drawn in at the base of the stove and circulates up between the side plates and finally out at the top of the stove as hot air. Convection stoves are safer for children because the outer side plates are cooled down, by the movement of the air, preventing them from becoming very hot. This also means that you can reduce the distance to furniture. The heat emitted is less harsh and heat distribution is both quicker and better. Convection stoves ensure an even and comfortable heating throughout he room, and also in adjoining rooms.
Convection stove advantages:
- is much safer if you have small children because the side plates that draw in cold air stay much cooler than that of a radiant stove;
- is much better at distributing heat evenly and comfortably throughout the room;
- is also very good if you want to heat adjoining rooms.
Radiant stoves
A radiant stove emits heat from the front; sides and top. The heat travels in straight lines from the stove, and is absorbed by any surface it encounters. They have been used for many years and are by far the most popular type of stove.
This form of heating produces heat more quickly from the stove. The side plates on radiant stoves consist of a single layer and this means that the stove emits heat quickly. The radiated heat is intense close to the stove and less intense the further you move away from the stove. This can make using a large stove difficult to live with. A drawback for the radiant setup is that it can be difficult to sit close to when it gets fully heated up.
Ultimately, the air in the room gets heated through contact with the hot stove and surrounding heated surfaces, and a warm room temperature is achieved. Because walls interfere with the flow of radiant energy, radiant stoves do not heat adjacent rooms well.
Radiant stove advantages:
- typically an old, big stove
- heats people and objects directly.
- gives uneven, "localized" heat within a room.
- has extremely hot surfaces and can be hazardous, particularly for young children and the elderly.
Which type of stove is right for you?
It all depends on what you want from your stove. If you want to be warm and cozy and sit up close to a central heat source then a radiant is a good choice for you. On the other hand, if the stove is also to play an effective role in heating your home as a primary heat source, you should choose a convection model.