Outdoor Wood Burning Stove Review

If you're in the market for an outdoor heating solution that doubles as a stylish addition to your patio or backyard, the RB 73 Outdoor Wood Burning Stove may catch your attention. After spending some time reviewing it in freezing cold temperatures, here's an in-depth look at how it performs and whether it lives up to the hype.

Initial Impressions: Stylish Yet Functional

The RB 73 Outdoor Wood Burning Stove boasts a sleek design and is built to endure the elements. One of its standout features is the pre-rusted finish, which is designed to make it weatherproof and long-lasting. While this feature is great for durability, it's worth noting that moving the stove can result in orange residue on your hands, so gloves are recommended for handling it.

A potential downside is the height of the chimney stack, which can be a bit inconvenient, but it serves an important purpose in facilitating a good draft, ensuring that the stove works efficiently.

Heating Performance: Not Quite a Furnace

When it comes to heating, this stove has some impressive features, but it doesn't quite deliver the same performance as its indoor counterparts. The stove has three-sided windows that offer an attractive view of the fire, but the radiated heat mainly comes through the glass, which is likely ceramic. While this glass does provide some decent heat, the overall temperature output may not be as high as expected.

During testing, the stove struggled a bit in colder conditions, especially with the hardwood used. The heat was slow to build up, and while the stove did radiate heat through its slats, it didn’t reach the desired temperature levels. After a couple of hours, the cooktop barely reached 200°F, which could be frustrating for users looking for more substantial heat in colder weather.

Aesthetic and Design: Stylish but Practical?

One of the stove’s most appealing features is its sleek design and the ambiance it creates with a lovely fire burning inside. However, the addition of the oven and top for cooking may be a bit gimmicky for some, as it doesn’t seem practical for heavy use. Cooking on this stove could require a bit more effort than it’s worth, especially considering the time it takes for the stove to reach a hot enough temperature.

Final Thoughts: Great for Ambiance, Not Ideal for Intense Heat

The RB 73 Outdoor Wood Burning Stove excels in aesthetics and is a solid choice for creating a cozy, rustic ambiance in your outdoor space. At Embers Living, we appreciate the unique design and charm it brings to any patio or backyard setup. However, when it comes to serious heat output, it falls short. The lack of a fully airtight firebox means that it doesn't generate as much heat as other models in its class.

If you're looking for a wood-burning stove that doubles as a reliable heat source in cold weather, you might want to explore other models that offer higher heat retention and more efficient heating. That said, the RB 73 is still a beautiful and functional addition to your outdoor area, making it perfect for those who value design and ambiance over intense warmth.

If you already own one or have used a similar product, let us know in the comments what your experience has been—maybe we're missing a trick in how to best operate it! Whether you're looking for style, heat, or both, Embers Living has a wide selection of outdoor heating solutions to match your needs.