Masonry heater
GOT 52/37 with GOF 37x42 Flat

FAQ Masonry heaters

• Can a masonry heater also be built as a water-bearing stove?

  Yes, as a water-bearing heating stove, the masonry heater supports the home’s central heating system and thus helps save money.

• How often should a masonry heater be fired?

  Ideally, at least once a day throughout the entire heating season. The exact design of a masonry heater and the desired level of heat output are usually determined by the customer and the size of the installation room.

• Is heating with a masonry heater environmentally friendly?

  A masonry heater whose combustion chamber is built by hand can only be as environmentally friendly as its user is skilled. That’s why BRUNNER offers type-tested, prefabricated masonry heater combustion chambers and doors. This ensures a clean solution in terms of emissions and efficiency—without sacrificing the authentic masonry heater experience. Thanks to the maximum energy yield achieved through the mineral combustion chamber and the massive heat storage surface, the masonry heater is arguably the most efficient way to heat with wood.
  And for many of our customers, it’s also the most beautiful one.

• What does a masonry heater cost?

  A modern masonry heater is much more than just an evolution of Grandma’s tiled stove. Then as now, the stove forms the heart of any home – because warmth is a basic human need. Investing in a masonry heater is therefore always worthwhile, as the focus here is not just on the fire, but on the heating performance it provides.

  Prices for masonry heaters start at around €5,000, depending on the model – this does not include the stove builder’s labor. The more exclusive the design or materials, the higher the cost of the fireplace. It’s also important to clarify in advance whether the existing chimney is suitable for operating a masonry heater. If not, modifications will be required, which will further increase the overall cost.

• What is the difference between a tiled stove and a masonry heater?

  A tiled stove, consisting of a cast iron heating insert with a metallic or ceramic heat storage surface and an additional storage mass, heats up comparatively quickly and provides long-lasting warmth. It emits heat both through radiation and via warmed air. It can be fired up at any time, and wood can be added for even longer-lasting comfort. Once cooled, a tiled stove also reheats significantly faster than a masonry heater.

  A masonry heater, on the other hand, operates more slowly. Built primarily from heat-retaining materials, it warms up gradually but stores heat for a very long time, releasing it almost exclusively as pleasant radiant heat. Because of its long heating time, a masonry heater should never be allowed to cool down completely during the heating season – adding wood at least once a day is necessary to maintain warmth.

• What is a masonry heater?

  Similar to a tiled stove, a masonry heater is also a so-called storage stove. It stores thermal energy in a subsequent mass and releases it gradually into the living space over an extended period of time. The difference compared to a tiled stove is that a masonry heater is built from mineral storage materials (e.g. fireclay bricks). This makes masonry heaters even better suited for long-lasting heat transfer than tiled stoves. Especially in alpine regions, there is a long tradition of this very original form of wood heating. Masonry heaters are often still built entirely by hand.