Looking for a new high-quality stove with a spark of originality? Soapstone is the right fit for your needs. This somewhat unknown material offer distinct economic and aesthetic advantages that might convince you to opt for it.
What is soapstone ?
Soapstone is natural metamorphic rock that can withstand extreme heat and is an excellent material for wood stoves. The composition of soapstone is remarkably stable. It is able to hold up against direct flames and dramatic shifts in temperature. For centuries, soapstone has been recognized for having excellent heat retention. Anyone considering a soapstone wood stove should know that this appliance is most appreciated for gentle, long-lasting heat.
Granite and marble are also known for their ability to hold and radiate heat. But soapstone has one additional attribute that surpasses all of the natural materials: Soapstone can indefinitely withstand direct flames. It’s no doubt because when soapstone was formed long ago, it was under incredibly intense pressure and heat.
5 Reasons for Soapstone, in more detail
1-Durability
A stove with a soapstone firebox lasts longer than cast iron, steel, or refractory bricks, which are other materials used in wood stoves.
2-Gentle Warmth
Each slab of soapstone forms an interior and exterior wall of the stove. On the inside, the heat of the fire is absorbed directly into the stone. On the outside of the stove, heat is radiated into the room from the polished surface of the soapstone. For anyone with small children, soapstone is ideal because the heat on the outside is very stable and won’t quickly cause a burn the way other materials do.
You can cozy up near a soapstone wood stove to enjoy the comfortable, even, gentle heat. This is unlike sitting near a steel stove, for example, which will deliver blasts of heat that are difficult to endure from a close distance.
3-Residual Heat
Another great feature of a soapstone wood stove is that it will stay warm for many hours, whether providing overnight radiant heat or for times when you are unable to tend to the fire.
4-Cost-Cutting
Residual heat is a money-saving feature because you will need less heat and energy provided by the utility company and less firewood is needed to keep your home warm.
5-Highly Decorative
Every soapstone wood stove has unique elements of décor and design, thanks to the beautiful veining in the stone as well as other patterns naturally created. The rich colors of soapstone are known to sometimes deepen over time, when exposed to extreme radiant heat.
Tips for Choosing a Soapstone Wood Stove
It’s important to realize that not all soapstone wood stoves have the same amount of stone. They are often made with a combination of cast iron or steel and soapstone. Shop around to be sure you are truly getting the benefit of soapstone with the stove you buy.
The strips of soapstone on the stove should be substantial; in some models, there are only small amounts of the natural material that are also very thin. With a minimal amount of stone, heat retention is lost. Without the needed mass to hold onto and radiate the heat, the stoves tend to overheat and then cool down quickly.
Be sure the thickness of soapstone in a wood stove you purchase is a minimum of 30 mm in thickness. For a truly excellent stove with maximum heat retention and efficiency, get one that has soapstone 60 mm wide.
Dominique Page has been in the fireplace industry since 2001. Working with one of the fireplace manufacturing leader for 13 years, he came to understand the dynamics of efficient fireplaces, the regulations in place and how to successfully market and develop products that fit what homeowners need. Dominique has been serving on the Board of the Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association of Canada for 8 years and has been, for two years, Chairman. Dominique’s passion is well known in the industry and his contribution to develop fireplaces and grills continues with several manufacturers in Canada and the USA.
Hello Sharon!
One of our dealer partners will be glad to answer any questions you might have. Find your local retailer here: https://welovefireplacesandgrills.com/dealer-locator/.
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Looking to install a woodburning stove as a back up for heat in an area that suffers a lot of hydro outages in winter..my question is, can you cook on the top of a soapstone atove ??? Need the surface to be hot enough to cook emergency meals in thos outages and boil water ??
Hi Tammy
It is possible to cook on soapstone stoves and boil water. It just needs to be a hot fire, so it will depend on how hot you get the fire going.
All the best!
Thanks Tammy for reaching out. It really depends on how hot the fire is. It becomes hot enough to boil water. So, it would be enough to cook if the fire is hot enough.
Hello Charles
Thanks for reaching out. As per Hearthstone, a Soapstone Manufacturer:
We don’t recommend cooking on your wood or gas stove - but it is possible. If you do decide to, you want to be careful to place the pot on the stone and to lift it off - or use a trivet, or a soapstone tile with small swatches of adhesive backed stove gasket adhered to the feet, or back. Sliding the pot around the top of your HearthStone stove will scratch the stone. Additionally, the stone will be stained by any spilled food, liquid or grease. You will want to monitor your cooking carefully, as boiling could be a problem.
Hope this answers your question.
All the best!
Dominique
We just bought a cast iron stove. Is it possible to put some soap stone tiles on the top to get some residual radiant heat. Its a large stove, so there are places to out some stone. Thanks Gretchen
Hello, thanks for reaching out.
The answer to your questionm the answer is yes. One layer can help store more heat and diffuse it nicely. Don't over do it...
I need new linings in my altech soapstone wood burning stove, what type can I have.
On the market there seems to be only vermiculite. Are these ok to replace my old traditional fire bricks
Hello! Thanks for reaching out. To replace your inner lining, it is best to use the same as the original material. If you are in the USA or Canada, the local fireplace store will be able to help you out.
All the best!
Hi Cindy
Thanks for your message. The answer is potentially yes. Assuming this is a wood fireplace, it would be possible if you found stones that match exactly the size of the current refractory bricks you have inside your fireplace.
All the best!
Dominique
Hello Niall
Thanks for reaching out. Altech is from the Netherlands and they do not sell in North America. I have had no exposure to their products, so I cannot comment. From a soapstone perspective, the benefits are real and would apply to any make of stove. What I cannot comment about is the combustion efficiency and how the glass will stay clean.
Dominique
I purchased Hearthstone flagship model equinox and after two years the ash grate is so warped it snapped. I have been waiting 2+ months for the parts. Hearthstone should carry parts and never be out of stock. Us customers need to rely on there product and parts supply to keep our homes from freezing up. We regret our decision to purchase Hearthstone Product.
Hi Alen. Sorry to read about your issue. I know Hearthstone has had very high demand for their products and the supply chain is very challenged. Maybe we can help. I will be sending you an email and see what we can do.
Dominique
It’s important to realize that not all soapstone wood stoves have the same amount of stone. They are often made with a combination of cast iron or steel and soapstone. Shop around to be sure you are truly getting the benefit of soapstone with the stove you buy.
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