Jotul North America (Jotul U.S.A., Inc.) F 500 V3 vs Kuma Stove And Iron Works K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1
The Jotul North America (Jotul U.S.A., Inc.) F 500 V3 is the cleaner burner: 0.5 g/hr certified particulate emissions versus 1.1 g/hr. They tie on efficiency at 78% HHV. The Jotul North America (Jotul U.S.A., Inc.) F 500 V3 produces more peak heat (38,804 vs 29,153 BTU/h), suiting roughly 1,100–1,550 sq ft. The Jotul North America (Jotul U.S.A., Inc.) F 500 V3 has the larger firebox (2.41 vs 1.821 cu ft), which generally means longer burns between reloads. Combustion technology differs: the Jotul North America (Jotul U.S.A., Inc.) F 500 V3 is a hybrid and the Kuma Stove And Iron Works K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1 a catalytic stove — see the catalytic vs non-catalytic guide for what that means day to day.
| Jotul North America (Jotul U.S.A., Inc.) F 500 V3 | Kuma Stove And Iron Works K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance type | wood-stove | wood-stove |
| Combustion technology | Hybrid | Catalytic Stove |
| Certified fuel | Crib Wood | Crib Wood |
| Emission rate | 0.5 g/hr | 1.1 g/hr |
| Efficiency (HHV) | 78 % | 78 % |
| Heat output (low) | 14001 BTU/h | 12764 BTU/h |
| Heat output (high) | 38804 BTU/h | 29153 BTU/h |
| Firebox volume | 2.41 cu ft | 1.821 cu ft |
| Carbon monoxide | 0.5 g/min | 0.45 g/min |
| 25C tax credit eligible (≥75% HHV) | Yes | Yes |
| 2020 NSPS compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Currently in production | Yes | Yes |
| EPA certification number | 160-18 | 346-23 |
| Covered model numbers | F 500 V3 | K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1, Tamarack LE-1, Aberdeen LE-1, and Alpine LE-1 |
Frequently asked questions
Which burns cleaner, the Jotul North America (Jotul U.S.A., Inc.) F 500 V3 or the Kuma Stove And Iron Works K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1?
The Jotul North America (Jotul U.S.A., Inc.) F 500 V3: 0.5 g/hr certified particulate emissions versus 1.1 g/hr for the Kuma Stove And Iron Works K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1.
Are the Jotul North America (Jotul U.S.A., Inc.) F 500 V3 and Kuma Stove And Iron Works K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1 both EPA certified?
Yes — both appear on the U.S. EPA's current list of certified wood heaters, and every figure on this page comes from their certification records.