Drolet Escape 1800 Wood Stove vs Empire Gateway 1700 Wood Stove

The Drolet Escape 1800 is the bigger, hotter stove: 75,000 BTU, a 2.3 cu ft firebox, 20.5-inch logs and an 8-hour burn, so it suits a large open room or a house that leans on wood heat. The Empire Gateway 1700 is the simpler, smaller unit: 65,000 BTU, a 1.9 cu ft firebox, 18-inch logs and a 6-hour burn, aimed at small to medium rooms. Both are non-catalytic steel stoves with 5/16-inch tops and EPA 2020 certification; the Drolet's 77% efficiency and 2.3 g/h emissions are published, while Empire publishes neither. Owners rate the Drolet well at 4.4 out of 5; Empire feedback centers on the buying experience rather than the burn.

• Choose the Drolet Escape 1800 if you heat a large space, want longer overnight burns and need to load full 20-inch logs.
• Choose the Empire Gateway 1700 if you have a small to medium room, a tighter footprint and want one-lever simplicity with a covered ash pan.