Woodstove or Fireplace: What is the Difference?

I have grown up around fireplaces and woodstoves my whole life, but never knew the difference until last month. Now that the cold weather has settled in around here, I find knowing which type of wood burning heater I am using, very comforting in case something goes wrong. For those of you out there wondering, what is the difference, I am here to clear the smoke of wondering.

A woodstove is a free standing wood burning fixture. This means that it is not built into the wall. It can come with a fan, usually needs to have tile around it due to fire safety regulations, and can come in varying sizes. Woodstoves can easily be removed, if necessary or desired. You must be careful around wood since it is free standing it is much easier to burn yourself on its hot surfaces. Woodstoves also have doors with which to contain the fire. It is also called a stove since you can actually cook on its surface. The one in my home gets so warm that it can boil water.

Unlike a woodstove, a fireplace is built into the wall. They can come in varying sizes, usually have mantles, and are traditionally what people refer to when they hang their stockings by the fire. Fireplaces surfaces do not get as hot as woodstoves and the fire is not contained by a door, but can be covered using a grate.

Who would have known that such a simple thing as being freestanding instead of being built into the wall was what separated fireplaces and woodstoves. Mystery solved and case closed.