The joy of a pot bellied stove is surely in its value as a striking element in your decor. Flat topped and, yes, pot bellied, these alternative heating appliances are attractive design elements for any home. They are, however, also increasingly efficient sources of heat and surprisingly clean, burning fuel all the way down to ash.
Able to burn coal and wood, pot bellied stoves can handle high-temperature fires if coupled with a strong well-functioning chimney. Wood is, of course, a cleaner fuel but if it is not properly seasoned, coal is a better choice. Another readily available product is wood pellets, which are made from waste products and therefore not in short supply.
Much cheaper to use than conventional fireplaces, pot bellied stoves reduce utility bills and put less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Sharing this trait with all wood burning stoves, they put exactly as much CO2 into the air as the trees we plant to replace them take out of it. One way or another, the carbon dioxide is going back into the atmosphere when a tree dies, so it might as well happen when we heat our homes.
Their efficiency makes all wood burning stoves more cost effective than those that use coal or gas. Modern stoves can heat a back boiler to supply hot water to the house and radiators. These versatile appliances make cooking possible, some with a full sized oven and built-in range.
In all likelihood, however, the way it looks is going to factor into a decision to install a pot bellied stove. Some homeowners who have no need of it for heating purposes nonetheless choose to add a pot bellied stove purely for aesthetics. These cute alternatives to traditional fireplaces invite family and friends to gather round them, attracted by their warmth and comfort.