Aesthetically pleasing, and functional. It's very difficult to do this using steel, or soapstone. That's why those types of stoves use brass, or cast iron to compliment their features because they are unable to duplicate what can be done in cast iron. And best of all, cast iron is a recycled material. It's contribution to our society has given us products that keep our homes warm and beautiful while also keeping many landfills from becoming a dangerous source of permanent pollution.
T here are two types of heat that is produced from a wood stove.
Radiant heat flows in straight lines until these line reach an object where they begin to heat that object. When the object is heated, it begins to heat the air around it slowly and a convection pattern begins to form whereas heated air rises, and cooler air falls. Because there is a space between the side panel and the actual firebox, cooler air is drawn from the floor and is heated by the firebox panel. This newly heated air rises and moves away from the stove continuing to rise until it reaches the ceiling. As it begins to cool, the air slowly falls to the floor where it will be drawn toward the stove and begin it's heating cycle again.