Wood-burning stoves are made from steel, cast iron, or soapstone and consist of a firebox with a chimney. They can produce up to 70,000 BTUs or more of heat, enough to warm a small home.

Opting for ceramic-enameled cast iron can help on that front, but the pans are still heavy, and you just have to know how to use them properly to avoid damaging your glass-top stove. One of the ...