The Chimney Sweep Online Fireplace, Woodstove, Gas Stove and
Barbecue Shop Radiant Heat VS Convection Heat Q: We've been
shopping for a wood stove, and have noticed that some are called
"Radiant" stoves and some are called "Convection" Stoves. In
order to make a buying decision, we need to know the properties
of the two types, and which would work best for our situation.
We asked the clerk at the stove store what the difference was,
and he didn't know. Do you? A: Simply stated, radiant stoves
heat objects, and convection stoves heat air. Here's details:
Radiant energy travels in straight lines from the source of
heat, and is absorbed by any surface it encounters. As the
surface absorbs the radiant energy, it heats up. Think of
warming your backside around a campfire and you'll have a pretty
good picture of how radiant energy works: the air surrounding
you might be 0 degrees, but the radiant energy passes right
through it until it hits you (the object), and when it does it
warms you up. When you take the campf