Updated October 2026.
Short answer: choose a Buck Stove by three things: how many square feet you need to heat, how it will install (in an existing fireplace, framed into a wall, or freestanding on a hearth), and the size of your flue. For a small house or one zone, look at the Model 21 or 21ZC. For roughly 1,500 to 2,700 square feet, the 74C, ZC74C or 81C (the 81C has the largest firebox and heat rating of the three). For a large house up to 3,200 square feet, the Model 91.
This guide covers Buck Stove's six 2026 wood heating stoves, from the Model 21 to the Model 91. It does not cover the Homesteader cook stove or the Big Buck and Little Buck camp stoves. Here are the six side by side, with Buck's own ratings from its 2026 wood stove catalog.
| Stove | Heats (sq ft) | Output (BTU/h) | Firebox (cu ft) | Combustion and efficiency | Flue | Installs as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 21 (21NC) | 800-1,800 | 11,079-28,901 | 1.6 | Non-catalytic, 70 percent | 6" | Freestanding, masonry insert or pre-fab insert |
| Model 21ZC | 800-1,800 | 11,079-28,901 | 1.6 | Non-catalytic, 70 percent | 6" | Zero-clearance, framed into a wall |
| Model 74C | 1,500-2,600 | 13,300-52,400 | 2.7 | Catalytic, 77 percent | 6" | Freestanding or masonry insert |
| Model ZC74C | 1,500-2,600 | 13,300-52,400 | 2.7 | Catalytic, 77 percent | 6" | Zero-clearance, framed into a wall |
| Model 81C | 1,600-2,700 | 13,800-59,500 | 3.0 | Catalytic, 80 percent | 6" | Freestanding or masonry insert (bay front) |
| Model 91 | 1,800-3,200 | 14,206-62,745 | 4.4 | Catalytic, 80 percent | 8" | Freestanding or masonry insert |
Ratings from the Buck Stove 2026 wood stove catalog. The square-foot ranges are Buck's. A drafty older house lands at the low end of a range; a tight modern house lands at the high end.
Start with the square footage
- Under 1,800 sq ft, or one zone of a larger house: the Model 21. It is the smallest of these six stoves, it is approved for mobile homes, and it is the only one of the six that also installs in a pre-fab (factory-built) fireplace.
- 1,500 to 2,700 sq ft: the 74C (flat front, 2.7 cu ft firebox, 22" logs) or the 81C (bay front, 3.0 cu ft firebox, 18" logs side to side, 80 percent efficiency).
- 1,800 to 3,200 sq ft, or a whole house: the Model 91. It has a 4.4 cu ft firebox, takes 23" logs and has the highest output in the line. It needs an 8" flue, and it is the only one of the six that is not approved for mobile homes. For a closer look at the two largest stoves, see Buck Model 91 vs 81C.
Then decide how it installs
You have a masonry fireplace. The Model 21, 74C, 81C and 91 all work as fireplace inserts with a trim kit. Measure your fireplace opening first. Buck lists these minimum openings:
| Stove | Minimum fireplace opening (W x H x D) |
|---|---|
| Model 21 | 23-1/4" x 21" x 15" |
| Model 74C | 27-3/4" x 24" x 15" |
| Model 81C | 29" x 24-1/2" x 14" |
| Model 91 | 31-3/4" x 23-1/2" x 15-1/2" |
You have no fireplace and want a built-in look. The 21ZC and ZC74C put the Model 21 and 74C fireboxes in a zero-clearance cabinet that frames into a wall, in new construction or a remodel. Buck's 2026 catalog lists the same minimum framing for both: 37-1/2" W x 35-7/8" H x 24-3/4" D. We compare the two in Buck 21ZC vs ZC74C.
You want a freestanding stove. The Model 21, 74C, 81C and 91 sit on a pedestal or steel legs over a hearth pad. Buck lists these minimum hearth pads for vertical vent installations:
| Stove | Minimum hearth pad (W x D) |
|---|---|
| Model 21 | 33" x 40" |
| Model 74C | 34" x 48" |
| Model 81C | 33" x 48" |
| Model 91 | 50" x 54" |
Buck makes an Outside Air Pedestal in a Model 21/74 version and a Model 81 version, and a Woodbox Pedestal for the Model 21 and 74C. The pedestal options for each stove are listed on its product page.
Check the flue
Five of the six use a 6" flue. The Model 91 uses an 8" flue. For a Model 91 in a masonry chimney, Buck's 8" Chimney Connector lets the stove accept a flexible chimney liner, and the 8" Offset Adapter handles a rear or offset exit. Both are listed on the Model 91 page.
Catalytic or non-catalytic?
The Model 21 and 21ZC are non-catalytic: a simpler design with no combustor, rated at 70 percent efficiency. The 74C, ZC74C, 81C and 91 are catalytic: a combustor burns off smoke that would otherwise go up the chimney, which brings efficiency to 77 to 80 percent and allows longer, lower burns. The combustor needs periodic inspection and cleaning, on the schedule in the owner's manual, and like any catalytic combustor it wears over time and is eventually replaced.
For overnight heat in a larger house, a catalytic stove is the stronger fit. For a small zone you heat on cold evenings, the Model 21 is the simple choice.
Blower and ash pan
All six of these stoves include a blower. On the Model 91 it is a factory-installed variable speed blower. For the zero-clearance models, Buck's 51ZC cabinet manual calls for a dedicated 15 amp circuit for the blower; confirm it against the manual for your unit. The 74C, ZC74C, 81C and 91 also include an ash pan; the Model 21 and 21ZC do not.
Questions buyers ask
Which Buck Stove heats the most space?
The Model 91. Buck rates it for 1,800 to 3,200 square feet.
Which Buck Stoves are approved for mobile homes?
Five of the six: the Model 21, 21ZC, 74C, ZC74C and 81C. The Model 91 is not.
Does the federal wood stove tax credit apply in 2026?
No. It ended for stoves placed in service after December 31, 2025. Here is what that means for a 2026 stove.
Where does the Homesteader fit?
The Homesteader is Buck's wood cook stove, with an oven and a cooktop. It is a different kind of stove, so it has its own guide.
Before you order
Each of these six stoves ships free by freight from MyBBQDirect within the continental US, and the carrier calls ahead to schedule delivery. Each product page has the delivery details. The owner's manual for your stove sets the clearances and installation rules, so confirm against it before you build a hearth or order pipe. Not sure between two sizes? Call (708) 765-6925 with your square footage, fireplace opening and flue size, and we will check the numbers with you.
