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A wood stove heats a space through convection and radiant heat. To do so, it must, of course, be hot. But how hot does a wood stove actually get, and can it become too hot? Let’s break it down.

Inside the firebox

The hottest part of a stove is its firebox, where temperatures can reach 600-900°C, depending on combustion efficiency and airflow, In an optimally burning modern stove, such as a Leenders wood stove, temperatures van even exceed 1000°C.

Surface temperature

How hot does the exterior get? A steel-bodied Leenders stove can reach 200-400°C, as can cast iron models. Stoves with heat-retaining materials like soapstone tend to have lower exterior temperatures.

Always use a heat-resistant glove when opening your stove, and keep children and pets at a safe distance.

Flue gas temperatures (in the chimney)

Ideally, flue gases should be between 150-300°C. If they drop below 100°C, creosote (tar) can build up, leading to chimney issues, If they exceed 400°C, they can damage the chimney and increase the risk of chimney fires.

Can a wood stove get too hot?

Yes, and you definitely don’t want that. Overheating can damage the stove, degrade the chimney, and increase the risk of fire. It also reduces combustion efficiency, which isn’t great for your wallet.

1. Use a stove thermometer, place one on the stove or flue pipe. Keep flue gas temperatures between 150-300°C.
2. Control the airflow – Reduce the air supply if the fire burns too intensely. Too much oxygen makes the fire unnecessarily hot.
3. Use dry wood. Wood with more than 20% moisture burns inefficiently. Avoid burning pellets in a wood stove.
4. Avoid overloading. Don’t overfill the stove. Too much wood at once can lead to uncontrolled heat spikes.
5. Choose the right wood –  Hardwoods like oak and beech burn more evenly than softwoods like pine and spruce.