Best Wood Burning Garage Heaters for Workshops

Finding the right heater for a garage or workshop requires balancing heat output, safety, installation needs, and fuel type. The table below summarizes five relevant heating options from the selected products — two heavy-duty wood stoves, a versatile gas unit heater, an electric infrared option for quick warm-up, and a heat-powered stove fan to improve circulation.

Product	Type	Primary Strength
US Stove Cast Iron Wood Stove	Wood Stove	High BTU output, large log capacity
Ashley Hearth Pedestal Wood Burning Stove	Wood Stove	Very high BTU, EPA certified combustion
Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU80NG	Natural Gas Unit Heater	Large area coverage for garages
Dr Infrared Heater DR-238 Carbon Infrared	Electric Infrared	Instant, clean indoor/outdoor heat
Sckee Heat Powered Wood Stove Fan	Accessory Fan	Circulates heat without electricity

US Stove Company Cast Iron Wood Stove With Cool Touch Safety Handle

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The US Stove cast iron model claims up to 54,000 BTUs and coverage of roughly 900 square feet, making it a candidate for medium to large garages. Its heavy-duty cast iron body supports sustained heating cycles common in workshop use. The stove accepts logs up to 19 inches, reducing the frequency of reloading in longer burns.

The included 2-piece cool touch safety handle is designed to reduce burn risk when opening the door during operation. For garage installations, note the need for proper venting and clearances, plus a noncombustible hearth pad. The unit’s solid construction suits intermittent heavy use but requires routine ash removal and chimney maintenance for safety and efficiency.

Ashley Hearth Pedestal Wood Burning Stove AW1120E-P

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The Ashley Hearth pedestal stove is rated at 68,000 BTUs and lists coverage up to 1,200 sq. ft., suitable for larger garages or combined shop/office spaces. Its firebrick lining enhances combustion efficiency and protects the stove body over time. The design accepts logs up to 18 inches, supporting extended burn runs.

EPA certification suggests improved emissions control versus older stoves, which may be relevant for enclosed or semi-enclosed garage settings. The large ash pan simplifies cleanup. As with any wood appliance, safe chimney routing, adequate clearance, and floor protection are essential. The pedestal form factor raises the firebox height, which can aid loading and heat distribution in some garage layouts.

Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU80NG Natural Gas Unit Heater

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While not wood-burning, the Mr. Heater Big Maxx is included as a study in comparative garage heating. It offers 80,000 BTU performance with coverage claims up to 2,000 sq. ft. and can be mounted in a garage to deliver forced warm air quickly across a large interior volume.

Installation requires natural gas supply or propane conversion and adherence to specified clearances (minimum 8 ft. clearance from the floor to base in some setups). The unit ships with mounting brackets and may require professional venting and gas hookup. As a gas heater it provides continuous heat without fuel stacking or ash management, but it changes the trade-offs around fuel cost, ventilation, and code compliance compared to wood stoves.

Dr Infrared Heater DR-238 Carbon Infrared Outdoor Heater

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The Dr Infrared DR-238 is an IP55-rated infrared heater intended for both indoor and outdoor use. With multiple power settings (900W, 1200W, 1500W) and plug-and-go 120V operation, it offers instant, odorless heat for workshops or attached garages with electrical access.

Infrared heaters warm objects and people directly rather than heating large volumes of air, which can be advantageous in drafty or intermittently used garages. This model includes remote control convenience and requires no venting. It acts as a supplemental source for quick warm-up and localized comfort rather than whole-building wood heat replacement.

Wood Stove Fan Compatible For Buddy Heater — Heat Powered Fan

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Heat-powered stove fans increase convective heat distribution from a wood stove without electricity. This Sckee fan is described as compatible with Buddy heaters and wood stoves, featuring a thermoelectric stirling structure that converts stove top heat into fan motion. It includes a bimetallic overheating protection feature and a magnetic thermometer for monitoring.

For garages, adding a heat-powered fan can reduce cold spots by directing warm air out from the stove surface into the workspace. Since the fan is self-powered, it continues to operate during power outages and requires no wiring, making it a practical accessory for wood-burning garage heating systems.

Buying Guide — Choosing A Garage Heating Solution

Selecting the best heater for a garage depends on space size, insulation, fuel availability, ventilation, and intended use. Below are key considerations and comparative perspectives to guide selection.

1. Heat Output And Coverage

• BTU Ratings And Square Footage: Match stove or heater BTU output to garage volume. Wood stoves list BTU and approximate square footage; larger, taller spaces need higher output or multiple units.
• Real-World Performance: Ratings assume moderate insulation. Poorly insulated or frequently opened garage doors will significantly increase required heat capacity.

2. Fuel Type And Availability

• Wood Stoves: Offer offline operation and are suited for areas with reliable firewood supply. Consider log length capacity and hopper size for pellet models.
• Natural Gas/Propane Heaters: Provide continuous, controllable heat without ash or chimney maintenance, but require gas service and often professional installation.
• Electric Infrared: Best for instant supplemental heat and zones near the work area. Works well with 120V circuits but can be costly for long run-times.

3. Installation, Venting, And Clearances

• Wood Stove Venting: Requires chimney or direct vent pipe, proper clearances to combustibles, and a noncombustible hearth pad. Garage ceiling heights and roof access affect chimney routing complexity.
• Gas Unit Installation: Must comply with local codes; may require a licensed technician for gas connection and venting.
• Electric Units: Minimal installation; often plug-and-play or hardwired options depending on model power draw.

4. Safety Features And Maintenance

• Cool-Touch Handles And Doors: Reduce accidental burns during loading and operation.
• Combustion Efficiency And EPA Certification: EPA-certified stoves typically emit less smoke and use fuel more efficiently, important for enclosed spaces.
• Regular Maintenance: Wood stoves require ash removal, flue cleaning, and annual inspections. Gas units need periodic checks for leaks and burner cleanliness.

5. Heat Distribution Strategies

• Fans And Convection: Heat-powered fans or small electric circulation fans can markedly improve distribution from a single stove, reducing cold spots.
• Supplemental Heat Sources: Consider combining a wood stove for baseline heat with an infrared or electric heater for targeted task areas.

6. Cost, Efficiency, And Usage Patterns

• Fuel Costs: Evaluate local cost and availability of wood, propane, or natural gas. Electric heat may be convenient but more expensive long-term for continuous operation.
• Efficiency: Firebrick linings, secondary combustion, and pellet systems increase usable heat per unit of fuel.
• Usage Frequency: If the garage is used daily in cold months, a unit with automatic or continuous fuel feed (pellet or gas) may reduce labor compared to hand-fed wood stoves.

7. Regulatory And Insurance Considerations

• Local Codes: Confirm local building and fire codes for wood or gas appliance installation, venting, and clearances.
• Insurance: Some insurers require specific installation practices or prohibit certain heaters in attached garages; check prior to purchase and installation.

8. Comparative Perspectives

• Whole-Garage Heat vs Localized Comfort: Wood stoves like Ashley Hearth and US Stove deliver sustained whole-space heating, ideal for extended occupancy. Infrared and portable electric heaters excel at quick localized heat.
• Manual Fueling vs Automation: Wood stoves require loading and ash management; pellet or gas systems provide more automated operation.
• Air Quality: Wood-burning appliances produce particulates and require clean combustion and venting. EPA-certified options reduce emissions; gas and electric units provide cleaner indoor air at the point of operation.

When choosing, prioritize safety, correct sizing, and installation compliance. Consider pairing a high-output wood stove with a heat-powered fan to maximize distribution without extra electrical dependency, or opt for gas/electric solutions where venting or wood supply is problematic.