Looking to stay warm and cozy in your trailer house? A wood stove offers an efficient, eco-friendly heating solution that combines rustic charm with reliable performance. This shopping guide explores the best wood stoves tailored for trailer homes, helping you choose a model that’s safe, space-saving, and stylish—perfect for those who crave comfort and adventure on the road.
Wood Stoves for Trailer Houses: Your Complete Guide
Comparison Table: Types and Variations of Wood Stoves for Trailer Houses
| Stove Type | Typical Size | Heat Output (BTU/hr) | Installation Complexity | Fuel Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini/Micro Wood Stoves | Very compact | 6,000–20,000 | Easy-Moderate | Wood, Compressed Logs | Tiny trailers, vans, skoolies |
| Freestanding Mobile Home-Approved Stoves | Compact–Medium | 30,000–56,000 | Moderate-Higher | Wood, Pellets | Full-size mobile homes, large trailers |
| Pellet Stoves | Compact–Medium | Up to 32,000 | Moderate | Pellets | Primary winter heating |
| Insert Stoves | Insert (custom fit) | 8,000–35,000 | Advanced | Wood | Upgrading old fireplace spaces |
Everyday Use of a Wood Stove in Trailer Houses
Choosing to heat your trailer house with a wood stove means embracing both comfort and efficiency. Wood stoves are used as primary or supplemental heat sources in small living spaces—think travel trailers, modular homes, RVs, and tiny homes on wheels.
What Everyday Use Looks Like
- Firing Up: In cold weather, you’ll typically light the stove each morning and, if needed, keep it burning into the evening. Some models offer longer burn times (up to 8+ hours) to last overnight, while mini stoves require more frequent attention.
- Feeding the Fire: Depending on the stove’s size, you’ll be adding wood every 1–4 hours. Mini models require small, cut wood or compressed logs.
- Heat Management: These stoves create dry, radiant heat, reducing the risk of condensation inside the trailer—a common issue with propane or unvented heaters.
- Cooking: Many wood stoves feature a flat surface or removable rails for basic cooking or heating water—a handy feature for off-grid living.
- Ambiance: The crackle of wood and visible flames (if the model has a window) provide a cozy, homelike feel even in a compact space.
Key Benefits of Wood Stoves in Trailer Houses
Using a wood stove offers practical and lifestyle advantages for trailer dwellers:
- Efficient Heating: Wood stoves can quickly heat small to medium spaces. Even mini models are capable of keeping 100–400 sq. ft. comfortable during freezing conditions.
- Dry Heat: Wood heat is naturally dry, making it excellent for controlling humidity and preventing mold or mildew that can form with other heat sources.
- Cost-Effective: After the initial investment, ongoing fuel costs can be minimal, especially if you gather your own wood. Pellets and compressed logs are also less expensive than propane.
- Eco-Friendly: Burning wood is closer to carbon-neutral than fossil fuels, especially with an EPA-certified or secondary combustion stove.
- Ambiance & Utility: The warmth, flicker, and design of a wood stove make the living space more inviting. Many models are built for cooking and heating water as well.
- Independence: Wood stoves function off-grid, making them ideal for remote living or travel without dependence on electricity or gas delivery.
How to Choose the Best Wood Stove for Your Trailer House
Selecting the right stove requires a thoughtful approach. Here’s what to consider:
1. Stove Approval & Compliance
- Mobile Home Approved: For safety and insurance, choose a model tested and listed for mobile or manufactured homes. Look for a compliance tag (HUD UM-84 or equivalent).
- EPA Certification: EPA-certified stoves burn cleaner and more efficiently, often required by local regulations.
2. Sizing & Heat Output
- Room/Trailer Size: Measure your square footage (length × width × height). Most mobile/tiny home stoves are rated for spaces from 100–2,000 sq. ft.
- Heat Output (BTU): Match the stove’s output to your space. Too large, and you’ll overheat the space; too small, and it won’t keep up in deep winter.
- Mini stoves: 6,000–18,000 BTU (best for 90–400 sq. ft.)
- Larger mobile home models: up to 56,000 BTU
3. Fuel Type
- Wood: Widely available, but requires cutting to stove specifications (mini stoves need smaller lengths—often 6″ or less).
- Pellets: Clean, consistent burning and minimal ash, but require electricity for the hopper.
- Compressed Logs: Easy to store and handle, ideal for mini stoves.
4. Installation Considerations
- Chimney System: Must use a tested, listed chimney (often double-wall Class A pipe). Vertical exit through the roof is safest and most efficient.
- Clearances & Shielding: Every stove needs specific clearance from walls and combustibles. Heat shields can reduce required clearance.
- Securing the Unit: Stoves in trailer houses must be fastened to the floor to prevent shifting.
5. Features & Design
- Viewing Window: For ambiance and monitoring the fire.
- Ash Pan: For easy ash removal.
- Cooking Surface: Removable rails or dedicated flat top for meal prep.
- Insulation: Some advanced stoves have insulated sides that keep external temperatures lower (safer around kids/pets).
6. Your Lifestyle
- Mobility: If you move frequently, prioritize stoves that are lightweight, quick to cool, and easy to secure.
- Usage Frequency: For full-time living, invest in a high-quality, efficient stove. Occasional users can opt for smaller, simpler models.
Practical Tips & Best Practices
Safe and Effective Use
- Follow Installation Guidelines: Always install according to manufacturer’s instructions and local codes. When in doubt, hire a professional with mobile home expertise.
- Use a Hearth Pad: Protect floors and walls around the stove with certified non-combustible materials.
- Install Smoke & CO Detectors: Essential in trailer homes; test monthly for safety.
- Plan for Outside Combustion Air: Mobile home stoves should be ducted to draw air from outside, preventing negative pressure and improving efficiency.
- Regular Cleaning: Keep your stove and chimney clean to prevent creosote buildup.
- Use Seasoned/Dry Wood: Damp wood smokes more and leads to chimney problems.
- Practice Proper Clearance: Maintain recommended space around the stove—even small models get extremely hot.
- Prepare for Overnight Heating: Know your stove’s burn time. Some mini stoves need fueling at night.
- Moisture Control: Enjoy reduced condensation and use the stove to dry clothes or boots as needed.
- Backup Heating: Have a secondary heat source for emergencies and for times when you’re away from the trailer.
Wood Stove Model Comparison Table
| Model/Type | Dimensions (inches) | Weight (lbs) | Heat Output (BTU/hr) | Fuel Type | EPA Certified | Max Space Heated (sq. ft.) | Burn Time | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic Mini Cub | 11 × 12 × 10.5 | 25 | 6,000–14,000 | Wood, Compressed Logs | No | Up to 200 | 2–3 hours | Viewing window, optional rails |
| Cubic Mini Grizzly | 13 × 15 × 12 | 39 | 8,000–18,000 | Wood, Compressed Logs | No | Up to 400 | 3–5 hours | Cooking surface |
| Dwarf 3kW/4kW/5kW | 17–22 (H) × 10–14 (W) × 9–11 (D) | 75–150 | 7,500–20,000 | Wood, Coal | Yes | 300–500 | 3–7 hours | Large cooktop, rear/top vent |
| Kimberly | 10 × 10 × 25 | ~56 | 8,000–21,000 | Wood, Pressed Logs | Yes | Up to 1,500 | 8+ hours | Insulated, overnight burns, cooktop |
| Englander Black Bear | 14 × 18 × 12 | 45 | Up to 22,000 | Wood | Yes | Up to 168 sq. ft. | 4–8 hours | Large cooking area |
| Drolet Savannah | 23 × 21 × 28 | 240 | 55,000 | Wood | Yes | Up to 1,800 | 6–9 hours | Mobile home compliant, blower |
| Osburn 3500 | 29 × 28 × 35 | ~450 | Up to 110,000 | Wood | Yes | Up to 2,700 | 8+ hours | Blower, large firebox |
Tips, Advice, and Best Practices for Trailer House Wood Stoves
- Start Small: Especially if you’re new to wood stoves, it’s safer to slightly undersize your stove and supplement with other heat if needed.
- Prioritize Safety: Always err on the side of more clearance, better shielding, and professional installation if unsure.
- Check Local Codes: Some counties or manufactured home parks have additional restrictions on solid fuel appliances.
- Plan Your Fuel: Have a storage solution for your wood or pellets that’s dry and easily accessible.
- Maintenance Routine: Establish a schedule for ash removal, chimney sweeping, and checking gaskets or seals.
- Consider Multiple Uses: Look for features like integrated cooking surfaces or water heating if you want added value from your stove.
- Backup Plan: For periods where you’ll be gone overnight or during shoulder seasons, keep a safe electric or propane heater ready.
- Think About Moving: Choose stoves with easy tie-downs and make sure chimney sections can be safely detached and sealed for transport.
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Conclusion
Heating your trailer house with a wood stove is a rewarding choice—combining efficient warmth, independence from utilities, and a charming living environment. Whether you select a mini wood stove for a van or a full-sized EPA-certified model for a mobile home, the keys to success are choosing an appropriately-sized, compliant stove and installing it with safety as your top priority. Take time to research, prepare your space, and learn the nuances of wood burning so you can enjoy cozy, cost-effective comfort throughout the coldest months.
FAQ
- What makes a wood stove “mobile home approved”?
A mobile home approved wood stove meets specific safety standards (such as HUD UM-84), is tested to be safe for installation in manufactured structures, uses an external air intake, and can be secured to the floor. It comes with a compliance tag indicating safe use in mobile/manufactured homes.
- How do I determine the right stove size for my trailer house?
Calculate your trailer’s square footage and match it to the stove’s rated capacity (BTUs or maximum area heated). Consider insulation, ceiling height, and typical outside temperatures. When in doubt, consult a stove supplier with your exact measurements.
- Is it safe to leave a wood stove burning overnight in a trailer house?
Some stoves are designed for overnight burning, but many mini models require frequent tending. If you need overnight heat, choose a stove with a proven long burn time and follow all safety precautions (proper clearances, detectors installed). Never leave an unapproved or improperly installed stove burning unattended.
- Can I cook on my trailer house wood stove?
Yes! Many compact stoves have a flat or rail-removable top surface for boiling water, frying, or slow-cooking. Always monitor cooking closely, as temperatures can rise quickly. Larger models often have more usable cooktop area.
- What type of chimney or flue is required for a trailer house wood stove?
Only use a tested, listed Class A (double-walled) chimney system, running vertically through the roof if possible. Chimneys must include spark arresters, required clearances, and support bracing. Avoid makeshift or unlisted stovepipe solutions.
- Do mini wood stoves provide enough heat for winter?
Quality mini stoves, like the Cubic Mini or Dwarf series, can keep small, insulated spaces warm in freezing temperatures. For very cold climates or poorly insulated trailers, a larger, longer-burning stove may be needed.
- What’s better: Wood, compressed logs, or pellets?
Standard wood works well if you can cut it to fit your stove. Compressed logs are convenient for mini stoves due to their consistent size and longer burn. Pellet stoves burn cleanly but require a small amount of electricity for operation.
- How do I maintain and clean my trailer house wood stove?
Let the stove fully cool before removing ash and cleaning the firebox. Clean or sweep the chimney at least once a season to prevent creosote buildup. Inspect gaskets and seals regularly for leaks.
- Can I install a wood stove in any trailer or RV?
Most newer stoves can be installed in a trailer or RV if the unit is stationary or only occasionally moved. Always check for the manufacturer’s mobile home approval, use proper chimney systems, and verify insurance coverage.
- Do I need to make other modifications to my trailer house for wood heat?
Yes. In addition to complying with all installation requirements, ensure you have heat-proof hearth and wall protection, outside combustion air ducting, smoke/CO detectors, proper securing to the floor, and a backup heat plan for absences or shoulder seasons.
With the right research and approach, a wood stove can transform your trailer house into a toasty, off-grid retreat all season long.