Here’s a look at the best wood furnaces available today. We chose 7 models that are efficient and durable. Some of them have been mentioned in our outdoor wood furnace reviews, and we’ve included links to those reviews.
You can also find useful, comprehensive information in our Outdoor Wood Furnace buying guide.
Here are the best outdoor wood furnaces:
- #1 Crown Royal Pristine Gasification Series
- #2 HeatMaster SS G Series
- #3 Central Boiler Classic Edge Titanium HD Series
- #4 Polar Furnace G-Class
- #5 Heatmor X Series
- #6 Hawken Energy Greenhawk
- #7 Mahoning Skye Series V
All these furnaces meet 2015 EPA emissions standards for residential use.
See the summary table below for a quick comparison of the best outdoor wood furnaces.
Top Wood Furnaces
Here’s an overview of the outdoor wood furnaces in the list above.
#1 Crown Royal Pristine Gasification Series
This very efficient stove is built with 409 stainless steel produced in the United States. Not all foreign-made 409 stainless has the strength and integrity of material manufactured here.
We estimate that the gasification process burns 35% to 50% less wood than conventional wood stoves. Crown Royal claims the figure is 60%. To achieve high-efficiency numbers, the wood must be properly seasoned. Here is more information on wood gasification from our buyer’s guide.
#2 HeatMaster SS G Series
This is another furnace built with 409 stainless steel. It is also packed with user-friendly features.
The G Series furnaces are gasifiers, so will reduce wood consumption significantly. They are backed by a lifetime warranty that is prorated. It reaches 10% coverage after 20 years and remains at that level for life.
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#3 Central Boiler Classic Edge Titanium HD Series
409 stainless steel is iron enhanced with titanium for strength. Central Boiler uses it in several series including it’s full-featured Classic Edge Titanium HD furnaces.
The corrosion-free material in the firebox and other key components offers outstanding longevity.
#4 Polar Furnace G-Class
This highly rated furnace uses a secondary combustion chamber called Vor-Tech to achieve the burning of smoke and other gases that would otherwise be lost out the flue. The gasification process that Polar calls “all fire, no smoke” dramatically increases efficiency. Polar Furnace claims the efficiency is 99.5%. See the Vor-Tech chamber and how it works in this video.
Polar Furnace has designed the patent-pending Connect-EZ system to simplify installation for DIY homeowners. This cuts the time and cost of pro installation too. Connect-EZ includes a boiler recirculation pump, protection valve and manifolds with multiple ports for connecting to your home, outbuilding, pool, etc.
#5 Heatmor X Series
Also hyphenated as X-Series, there are two furnaces in the line. They’re built with robust gauges of 409 stainless to prevent corrosion and extend the life of the furnace.
Heatmor, like other leading brands and top lines, backs the X Series with a lifetime warranty that is not prorated for the first 5 years. It’s then prorated through year 20 and then remains at 10% for life.
These are NOT gasification boilers, but they do meet EPA emissions standards. Many homeowners and wood furnace dealers prefer conventional furnaces vs. gasification wood furnaces. There are fewer moving parts, so less can go wrong with conventional furnaces. And they burn poorly seasoned wood more efficiently.
#6 Hawken Energy Greenhawk
This Michigan company builds several series, and the Greenhawk is the EPA-qualified line. It includes the GX Series “Afterburner Technology.” This is Hawken’s gasification technology that makes the furnace more efficient when burning seasoned firewood.
Hawken offers a 15-year limited warranty. It is prorated, but coverage levels don’t drop as quickly as they do for other manufacturers of outdoor wood boilers. Extended warranties are available at significant cost — $999 for 5 years and $1,699 for 10 years. We recommend saving the money to put toward a new furnace when the time comes.
The Greenhawk and other Hawken furnaces are constructed with A36 structural carbon steel. This means they’re more susceptible to corrosion, but treating the water with the recommended product will reduce risk. Greenhawk claims the structural steel has two times the heat transfer capabilities as stainless, so will use half the wood to create the same amount of heat. That’s an exaggeration.
#7 Mahoning Skye Series V
The Mahoning Skye Series V stands out with its unique brick refractory firebox design, which prevents burn-throughs common in steel models. The firebox can be rebuilt or replaced at a lower cost than steel alternatives.
The stainless steel water jacket provides excellent corrosion resistance.
This model achieves high efficiency through dual combustion systems:
- Primary combustion chamber
- Secondary gasification chamber
Both chambers work together to meet EPA standards while maximizing heat output.
Compare at a Glance
Here are the all the series, the size range and the cost range for all models. The cost is the installed cost. Installation can range from $600 or slightly less for simple hookup to an indoor system to more than $2,500 for complex installation to several points of use.
| Model | BTU Range | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Crown Royal Pristine | 125K-390K | $9,100-$15,000 |
| HeatMaster SS G | 120K-340K | $8,800-$17,300 |
| Central Boiler Classic Edge | 170K-240K | $8,800-$15,000 |
| Polar Furnace G-Class | 160K-200K | $8,600-$13,500 |
| Heatmor X | 200K-280K | $9,900-$14,600 |
| Hawken Energy Greenhawk | 43K-117K | $8,300-$11,800 |
| Mahoning Skye Series V | 110K only | $9,500-$11,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top outdoor wood furnaces for efficiency in 2025?
The HeatMaster G Series and Crown Royal RS7300E lead in efficiency ratings, with both achieving over 80% efficiency. The Central Boiler Classic Edge 360 follows closely behind at 78% efficiency.
How do outdoor wood boiler prices compare across different brands?
Entry-level models from WoodMaster start at $6,500, while premium units from HeatMaster can reach $12,000. Central Boiler’s mid-range options typically fall between $8,000-$10,000.
Which outdoor wood boiler offers the best value for money?
The WoodMaster 4400 combines durability and performance at a mid-range price point of $7,500. It features a 12-hour burn time and heats up to 3,000 square feet.
What factors determine the longevity of an outdoor wood furnace?
Three key factors impact furnace lifespan:
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- Water quality maintenance
- Regular cleaning schedule
- Quality of wood fuel used
Are there any disadvantages to using an outdoor wood furnace for heating?
Wood storage requires significant space. Installation costs range from $2,000-$4,000. Regular maintenance needs time commitment.
How do forced air outdoor wood furnaces compare to other types?
Forced air systems heat spaces faster than hydronic units. They’re easier to install but less efficient in heat distribution and typically consume more wood.
How to Get the Best HVAC Prices
- Firstly, keep in mind that installation quality is always the most important thing for residential HVAC project. So never sacrifice contractor quality for a lower price.
- Secondly, remember to look up the latest rebates as we talked above.
- Thirdly, ask for at least 3 bids before you make the decision. You can click here to get 3 free estimates from your local contractors, and this estimate already takes rebates and tax credit into consideration and filter unqualified contractors automatically.
Lastly, once you chose the right contractor, remember to use the tactics from this guide: Homeowners Tactics When Negotiating with HVAC Dealer to get the final best price.
