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Radiant or Convection Stove?
There are two types of stove in this world - Radiant and Convection stoves.
The primary difference between the two is that a radiant stove builds up heat around the stove itself while a convection stove distributes heat around the entire room.
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.
Radiant Stove:
The radiant heat form has been around for years and remains popular despite the prevalence of convection stoves. In the UK and Ireland radiant stoves tend to be the traditional stove configuration.
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.
Radiant stoves are therefore fine where the stove output required is relatively small (say less than 8kW) with the equivalent room size to match. The most popular 5kW output radiant stove therefore is perfectly matched for typical UK and Irish living room sizes and generally doesn't present a problem for traditional living styles.
Convection Stove:
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.
Generally speaking, convection stoves tend to be of Scandinavian or Danish origin and are usually taller and have a contemporary look compared to radiant stoves which are more traditional in shape.
Summary
Radiant Stove:
1. Heats people and objects directly
2. Gives uneven, "localised" heat within a room.
3. Has extremely hot surfaces and can be hazardous for young children, pets and the elderly.
Convection Stove:
1. Is safer because the stove externals stay much cooler than that of a radiant stove
2. Is better at giving out even and comfortable heat into a room.
3. Is also extremely good if you wish to heat adjoining rooms - heated airflow distribution.
Want to find out how convection vs radiant heat differs? What are the main differences between radiant vs convection heat, radiant heat vs convection, or radiant vs convection heating methods. If your considering radiant ovens for your home, read this article first. We cover everything you need to know about using a convection or radiant wood heater and the best convection wood burning stoves for your home.
