MF Fire Nova C Wood Stove – Charcoal Body & Door, EPA Certified, Heats up to 1,500 sq ft

The MF Fire Nova C in Charcoal pairs a warm gray powder-coat body and matching door with the same EPA-certified catalytic firebox that made the Nova series MF Fire's flagship. Built in Baltimore, Maryland, it heats up to 1,500 sq ft from a 1.7 cu ft firebox, burns at a certified 1.9 grams per hour, and runs on a single air control — light it, engage the catalyst, and enjoy the fire through 182 square inches of glass.

Who the Nova C Is For

Small to mid-size homes, cabins, and well-insulated open floor plans up to about 1,500 sq ft — anywhere you want serious wood heat with a modern look but not a hulking stove. The Charcoal finish reads softer than black against light walls and stonework. Need more capacity or 22-inch splits? Look at the Nova 2X in Charcoal.

Key Features

• EPA 2020 certified at 1.9 g/hr – the catalytic combustor re-burns smoke before it leaves the stove: cleaner glass, less creosote, more heat per log
• 71% HHV efficiency (EPA test) – independently verified at OMNI-Test Laboratories; the number here is the number on the certificate
• One air control, no fiddling – a single lever plus a catalyst bypass handle for startup and reloading; MF Fire's motto for the Nova is "light it and enjoy"
• Up to 15-hour no-match restart – rated to hold enough coals to relight a fresh load up to 15 hours later, no match needed
• 1.7 cu ft firebox, 18 in logs – real overnight burns from a compact footprint
• 182 sq in of glass – a 14 in x 13 in view of the fire
• Top or rear 6 in venting – converts to suit a new Class A chimney or an existing lined masonry flue
• UL 1482 safety listed – independently tested by OMNI-Test Laboratories

Why Choose MF Fire

MF Fire was founded in 2012 by two University of Maryland fire protection engineers, and the Nova series carries that pedigree: Low Emissions Prize at the 2013 Wood Stove Decathlon, Grand Prize at the 2014 Wood Stove Design Workshop, and U.S. Department of Energy research grants for clean combustion. This is a stove company run by fire scientists, and it shows in how little you have to manage the burn.

Specifications

Heating Performance, Honestly

The 1,500 sq ft rating assumes decent insulation and a fairly open layout — insulation, ceiling height, climate, chimney draft and wood moisture all move the needle. What the catalytic design reliably gives you is long, low, clean burns: the combustor keeps a smoldering load burning efficiently at outputs a non-catalytic stove can't hold cleanly, which is where the up-to-15-hour restart rating comes from. Burn seasoned cordwood at 15–20% moisture and the Nova C will show you what it was engineered to do.

Nova C vs Nova 2X at a Glance

Square footage, output and restart figures are MF Fire ratings; emissions and efficiency are from the EPA certification tests.

Looking at the bigger firebox? See the Nova 2X in Charcoal.

Installation

You'll need a 6-inch chimney — UL 103 HT Class A from a single manufacturer, or lined code-approved masonry — running 15 to 33 feet from the stove top, plus a UL 1618 floor pad matched to your leg height. The clearance table in MF Fire's Nova C owner's manual governs your configuration; the optional Reduced Clearance Kit brings the back wall down to 7.5 inches with double-wall pipe. We recommend an NFI-certified installer — and note the Nova C is not approved for mobile homes.

Compatible Accessories

• Base options: Nova Series leg kits, the Nova C Tower base with built-in wood storage, or the Nova Series Bench
• Fireplace conversion: Nova C Insert Surround Kit
• Heat circulation: Room blower fan for freestanding installs
• Finishing touches: cast iron ash lip (adjustable 4–6 in), Reduced Clearance Kit, and a make-up air kit for tightly sealed homes

Warranty & Support

MF Fire backs the Nova C with a Limited Lifetime warranty on the firebox and door-frame welds — "lifetime" is defined in the warranty as up to 7 years — with up to 5 years of covered labor on select components and shorter terms on wear parts. Paint, gaskets, glass and firebricks are excluded, and coverage applies to the original owner at the registered address, so register your stove with MF Fire after installation. OffGrid Horizon is a family-owned, authorized MF Fire dealer — call (302) 496-3554 with questions before or after the sale.

Shipping & Delivery

Ships crated by freight carrier with curbside delivery. Inspect the crate before signing the delivery receipt, note any damage on the paperwork, and call us — we open the claim with the manufacturer for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the firebox come with legs or a base?

Not by default — but you can add a 3, 6 or 9 inch leg kit right on this page with the Leg Kit selector above, and the price updates automatically. Prefer a different look? The Tower base with wood storage, the 48-inch Bench, and the insert surround are listed separately, and we're happy to match one for you at (302) 496-3554.

Is this a catalytic stove, and what does that mean for me?

Yes. The catalytic combustor re-burns smoke at low temperatures — that's what makes long, clean, low burns possible. You engage it with a bypass handle once the stove is hot. It's a maintained part: inspect seasonally, replace eventually.

How is the Charcoal finish different from Satin Black?

Same stove, same performance — Charcoal is a warm gray powder coat that reads softer than black, especially against light walls or stone. Both hide ash dust well and wipe clean.

What wood should I burn?

Seasoned cordwood at 15–20% moisture content, per MF Fire. Wet wood wastes heat, dirties the glass, and builds creosote.

Can it vent out the back instead of the top?

Yes — the 6 inch collar converts between top and rear exit, so it retrofits onto an existing lined masonry chimney as easily as a new Class A run.

What clearances and hearth do I need?

36 inches in front, a UL 1618 floor pad (type depends on leg height), and the manual's rear/side clearance table for your configuration. The Reduced Clearance Kit cuts the back wall to 7.5 inches with double-wall pipe.

Can I install it in a mobile home?

No. MF Fire does not approve the Nova C for mobile home installation.

Does it qualify for the federal wood stove tax credit?

No. The federal 25C biomass stove credit ended for installations after December 31, 2025, so 2026 installs do not qualify.

What maintenance does it need?

Ash into a lidded steel container, glass cleaned cool with a non-ammonia cleaner, gaskets checked seasonally, catalytic combustor inspected, chimney inspected and swept regularly through the heating season.

Experience cleaner, smarter wood heating — and if you're torn between finishes or sizes, call us and we'll talk it through.