We had a Harmon top-loading wood stove in Bailey for years. Very efficient...would typically burn for 8 - 12 hours. The top-load feature was fantastic. Not only did it make loading easy but it included a grill for cooking over your fire. Of course, the top was also flat so you could cook with a skillet on top, too. Great stove.

Pellet stoves are OK. But you won't have heat if the power goes out. You will with a wood burning stove. I didn't mind the cutting, hauling, blocking and splitting of the wood. I just hated stacking it for some reason.

We replaced an old pot-bellied stove like the one pictured above with the Harmon. It was gorgeous...but terribly inefficient. It would burn 3 or 4 logs to pure ash in a matter of minutes. The proceeds from selling it paid for a good chunk of the Harmon.