Catalytic vs. Non-Catalytic Wood Stove: Which One Should You Choose?

Want to warm up your house with a cozy wood-burning stove? You’ll need to choose between the two main types: catalytic and non-catalytic. So, how do these stove styles compare? Let’s break down the pros and cons of catalytic versus non-catalytic wood stoves.

Catalytic vs. Non-Catalytic Wood Stove: Key Differences

When it comes to catalytic versus non-catalytic wood-burning stoves, the main difference is their design. Catalytic wood stoves have an extra component—called a catalytic combustor or catalyst—that makes them more energy efficient, eco-friendlier, and costlier than their non-catalytic counterparts. On the other hand, non-catalytic wood stoves are less expensive and easier to operate but generate more emissions. Both models should be installed by a wood stove company near you rather than DIYed.

What Is a Catalytic Wood Stove?

A catalytic stove is a modern type of wood-burning stove that produces less smoke and fewer emissions than traditional wood stoves. It achieves this by burning wood to create smoke and then sending that smoke through a catalytic combustor for a second round of burning. This honeycomb-like component ignites the smoke and turns it into usable heat.

Best for: 

• Anyone who uses their wood stove as a primary heating source

• People who want to reduce their environmental impact

• Folks who don’t mind putting in extra work for longer burn times and higher heat output

Pros of Catalytic Wood Stoves

Catalytic wood stoves are more efficient than non-catalytic models, meaning that they can produce more heat from less firewood. If you choose a catalytic stove over a non-catalytic one, you can save money on wood and spend less time replacing the logs in your fire.

Additionally, catalytic stoves generate less smoke and fewer emissions than non-catalytic wood-burning stoves, which is better for the environment. They also offer longer, more stable heat output.

Cons of Catalytic Wood Stoves

With their extra efficiency and longer burn times, it’s probably no surprise that catalytic stoves cost more than non-catalytic versions. They’re trickier to use, as well, because they require you to open and close a bypass damper to control the fire.

Also, while the catalytic combustor has its advantages, it can wear down over time and need replacement. If you use and maintain a catalytic wood stove properly, the catalyst can last for at least six heating seasons, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But without regular cleaning and upkeep, it may stop working in just two years.

What Is a Non-Catalytic Wood Stove?

Non-catalytic stoves make up the majority of wood-burning stoves on the market. To create warmth, these stoves burn wood and then use air to reignite the gases from the burning wood, which produces additional heat. Rather than a catalytic combustor, a non-catalytic wood stove uses a baffle to redistribute gases throughout the stove—resulting in extra combustion and higher temperatures.

Best for: 

• Anyone who prefers an easy-to-use wood-burning stove

• People living in milder climates who only use a wood stove for supplementary heating

• Budget-conscious individuals who don’t need the most technologically advanced stove

Pros of Non-Catalytic Wood Stoves

Non-catalytic wood stoves are more affordable to install than catalytic stoves. They also produce larger, more visible flames, which should appeal to people who enjoy the look of a traditional wood-burning fire.

Non-catalytic wood-burning stoves are easier to use than catalytic ones because there’s no need to adjust the bypass to start or manage the fire. Plus, the lack of a catalytic combustor means that non-catalytic stoves have one less wood stove part that can break and require maintenance.

Cons of Non-Catalytic Wood Stoves

Since non-catalytic wood stoves aren’t as efficient as catalytic versions, they’ll go through more firewood, increasing your operating expenses. And with shorter burn times, you’ll need to replenish the logs more frequently.

On top of that, these types of wood stoves produce more smoke and particulate emissions than their catalytic cousins, making them less eco-friendly. Despite this, many non-catalytic wood stoves still meet efficiency requirements set by the EPA.

Catalytic vs. Non-Catalytic Wood Stoves

One kind of stove isn’t necessarily better than the other, but each type has its strengths. Here’s how non-catalytic versus catalytic wood stoves compare in terms of appearance, cost, and more.

Appearance: Non-Catalytic Wood Stove

From an aesthetic standpoint, catalytic and non-catalytic wood stoves are quite similar. The main difference is that non-catalytic models produce larger flames, so they’re a better choice if you like the look of a powerful wood-burning fire.

Price: Non-Catalytic Wood Stove

Wood-burning stove prices vary by heating capacity, brand, and other factors, but catalytic stoves often cost more than non-catalytic models.

Eco-Friendliness: Catalytic Wood Stove

Catalytic stoves are better for the planet because they use less firewood and release fewer emissions than non-catalytic stoves.