Kuma Stove And Iron Works K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1 vs Travis Industries 36 Elite NexGen-Hybrid
The Travis Industries 36 Elite NexGen-Hybrid is the cleaner burner: 0.6 g/hr certified particulate emissions versus 1.1 g/hr. The Travis Industries 36 Elite NexGen-Hybrid is the more efficient unit: 80% versus 78% HHV — more heat from every cord. The Travis Industries 36 Elite NexGen-Hybrid produces more peak heat (47,514 vs 29,153 BTU/h), suiting roughly 1,350–1,900 sq ft. The Travis Industries 36 Elite NexGen-Hybrid has the larger firebox (3.135 vs 1.821 cu ft), which generally means longer burns between reloads. Combustion technology differs: the Kuma Stove And Iron Works K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1 is a catalytic stove and the Travis Industries 36 Elite NexGen-Hybrid a hybrid — see the catalytic vs non-catalytic guide for what that means day to day.
| Kuma Stove And Iron Works K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1 | Travis Industries 36 Elite NexGen-Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance type | wood-stove | wood-stove |
| Combustion technology | Catalytic Stove | Hybrid |
| Certified fuel | Crib Wood | Crib Wood |
| Emission rate | 1.1 g/hr | 0.6 g/hr |
| Efficiency (HHV) | 78 % | 80 % |
| Heat output (low) | 12764 BTU/h | 10733 BTU/h |
| Heat output (high) | 29153 BTU/h | 47514 BTU/h |
| Firebox volume | 1.821 cu ft | 3.135 cu ft |
| Carbon monoxide | 0.45 g/min | 0.548 g/min |
| 25C tax credit eligible (≥75% HHV) | Yes | Yes |
| 2020 NSPS compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Currently in production | Yes | Yes |
| EPA certification number | 346-23 | 365-24 |
| Covered model numbers | K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1, Tamarack LE-1, Aberdeen LE-1, and Alpine LE-1 | 36 Elite NexGen-Hybrid |
Frequently asked questions
Which burns cleaner, the Kuma Stove And Iron Works K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1 or the Travis Industries 36 Elite NexGen-Hybrid?
The Travis Industries 36 Elite NexGen-Hybrid: 0.6 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 Kuma Stove And Iron Works K-181 Series: Aspen LE-1 and Travis Industries 36 Elite NexGen-Hybrid 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.