The Steelhead Small Wood Stove is the latest invention from Flame Innovation.
These wood stoves are made in Post Falls, Idaho, and are UL certified for safety, along with their other models, the Caboose and the Mini Me.
The Steelhead is designed to heat 800–1200 square feet and offers up to 8 hours of burn time. Another standout feature is the optional hot water tank.
Let’s take a closer look.
Steelhead Stove
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The Steelhead Small Wood Stove is a compact, efficient option for heating smaller spaces like cabins, tiny homes, or off-grid shelters.
It runs without electricity, making it a practical option for areas where power isn’t always available or as a backup heat source during outages.
Watch the following video of Rusty from Flame Innovation explaining the Steelhead.
Here’s a transcript of the video if you’d prefer to get the information that way.
Hi, I’m Dusty with Flame Innovation. Today we’re going to do a little video on the Steelhead. This is the Steelhead 13.
We wanted to do a follow-up video to let everyone know that it’s now fully UL tested and approved. They run it through quite a series of tests. They do what’s called a Christmas tree test, where they load the stove with brands and burn it as hot as they possibly can. They keep opening the door and adding fuel about every 15 minutes to get the stove as hot as it can get. Then they pick it up, drop it, and tip it over.
There are about 30 temperature sensors on it, so you know what your clearance for combustibles needs to be. We’ve got 22 inches clearance on the sides, and 16 inches at the back. On the 13-inch leg model, which is this one, from the bottom of the stove to the ground, you don’t need to be on a hearth pad because the ground doesn’t get hot enough to worry about it. However, we do recommend having something in front of the door for catching coals and things like that—a hearth pad is always a good idea.
We also have an 8-inch leg model that brings the top of the stove down from 30 inches to 25 inches.
The stove is constructed entirely from 3/16-inch steel. You have an optional water tank here that’s made of 16-gauge stainless steel, which we hand-weld ourselves. It weighs almost 20 pounds and holds just under five gallons of water. It’s removable from the stove and can go on either side. You just remove your heat shield, and it slides off and on very easily. It has a nice water spigot for draining and a full lid, so it’s easy to fill with water—or you can take it down to the creek, or wherever you’re getting your water from.
This is your air wash—this draft controls how much air flows down across your glass. This is your main draft, which controls how much air enters the stove. Then there’s secondary combustion back here, controlled by this valve. There are three tubes on the top that blow oxygen into the top of the fire. When you decide to damper it down, a lot of your control will come from adjusting the secondary combustion air.
There’s a fresh air intake on the back, so you can bring in outside combustion air. It uses a 6-inch exhaust. We recommend double-wall exhaust pipe, and triple-wall if you’re going through the ceiling and outside—it just depends on where you mount it.
It features NeoCeram glass. Your handle storage is down here in the leg. You use this handle to open and close the door, so your main door handle doesn’t get too hot.
The stove is fully brick-lined. We’ll open the door here so you can see. It will take 18-inch wood and has a burn time of 6 to 10 hours. We tell people to plan on about 8 hours of burn time. Of course, that depends on the moisture content of your wood and what type of wood you’re burning.
Specs and features
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| BTU Output | 10,000 to 30,000 (Non-Catalytic) |
| Dimensions | 14.5” wide, 24” deep, 25–30” tall, with 13” legs |
| Firebox | Brick-lined for durability and even heating |
| Cooktop Surface | 14” x 14” for added functionality |
| Weight | Approximately 180 lbs |
| Ventilation | Uses a 6” stove pipe and includes a fresh air intake with burn tubes |
| Heating Capacity | Designed for spaces between 800 and 1,200 square feet |
| Certification | UL-certified for safety |
Heating Performance
This stove has a BTU output range of 10,000 to 30,000 and can heat areas between 800 and 1,200 square feet.
Burn times can last up to 8 hours on a full load, so you won’t need to refuel it constantly.
Off-Grid Friendly
Since the Steelhead doesn’t rely on electricity, it’s well suited for off-grid living.
There’s also an optional hot water tank that can heat up to 10 gallons—useful for washing dishes or basic bathing in remote setups.
Functional Features
It can take logs up to 18 inches long, so you don’t have to cut your firewood down too small.
It also has a 14” x 14” cooktop surface that can be used for heating or cooking.
A fresh air intake and burn tubes help improve combustion, and the Neo-Ceram glass stays relatively clean thanks to the air-wash system.
Size and Installation
With dimensions of around 14.5” wide, 24” deep, and up to 30” tall (including the 13” legs), the Steelhead fits easily into small living spaces.
It’s designed to be DIY-friendly, especially for setups like wall tents or cabins.
Construction and Durability
The firebox is brick-lined to help it retain heat and last longer. It measures 9” wide, 18” deep, and 12” tall.
Secondary burn tubes and a baffle help the fire burn cleaner and more efficiently. It’s UL-certified and handcrafted by experienced builders.
The Steelhead Wood Stove
The Steelhead 13 stands out as a rugged, thoughtfully designed wood stove that balances performance, safety, and user-friendly features.
With its successful UL certification, durable construction, and smart design touches—like the optional water tank, built-in handle storage, and flexible air control system—it’s clear this stove was made with real-world use in mind.
Whether you’re heating a cabin or setting up an off-grid home, the Steelhead 13 offers reliable warmth and peace of mind. For even more ideas, consider these other well-reviewed tiny wood stoves.