[Randy Rooster]

can someone please explain the positives and negatives of each? Ive only used steel stoves and am looking at getting a cast iron one- what are the drawbacks? thank you

Randy

 

[timfromohio]

Here's a summary article from hearth.com

http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/comparing_stove_materials/

I have both an insert and freestanding stove and went for steel construction in both (well, one is a bit of a hybrid stove with a cast iron cooktop). In general, I like the idea of plate steel with welded joints. Most older stoves were cast iron and required rebuilds every so often. I don't think this is the norm nowadays with cast iron.

 

[Itilley]

We have had both types of stoves and they both worked fine. We now have a cast iron stove and it does the job well.

RenieB

 

[Randy Rooster]

Do you need to fire a cast stove less " hot " than a steel stove?

TY for the replies so far.

 

[mldrenen]

personally, i would only get a steel stove. based on my experience, both types of stove will require some maintenance down the road, and steel is easily repaired.

 

[NorthCountryWd]

Steel stoves are cheaper and heat up faster. Cast iron is more expensive, heavier and holds heat longer. You can start a fire in a steel stove and heat up the room in less than a half hour, the cast iron could take over an hour.

I've had both and probably give a little bit of an edge to cast just because of the more tempered heat. Surrounding a steel stove with thermal mass could have the same effect.

 

[Cabin Fever]

The cheapest stoves I've ever run across are made of cast iron, such as the small pot belly stove or the boxwood stove...both can be had for less than $100 as many building centers.

In my opinion, the biggest drawback of cast iron is that it can crack and leak. All joints on cast iron stoves are bolted together with a gasket between the sections. A crack in a cast iron stove is very difficult to weld. The cast iron cracks when heated too fast.

My recommendation has always been to buy a good quality, American-made, plate steel stove (1/4" to 5/16" steel).

 

[akhomesteader]

We use a Waterford cook stove that was built in the 20's. It is mostly cast iron nd works great, in general cast does hold heat better than steel. That said if I had to make a choice between a cheap cast and a cheap steel stove I would probably go with the steel. Cheap cast will not last well and will probably need fixing after a few years. If you go with cast get the best you can afford.

 

[FarmboyBill]

My cast iron door on my OLD Jumbo wood stove finally broke. Its a top load stove. I replaced it with a steel door around 1 16in thick, and it has bowed up a bit in the center, I like a top load stove, and dont see any hereabouts. Been thinking of building my own. What thickness do you think I should use.

 

[Jolly]

I use a soapstone stove with a cast iron frame.

Works for me...