Empire Gateway Wood Stove Comparison Guide: 1700 vs 2300 vs 3500

Empire Stove is the manufacturer of the Gateway Series wood-burning stoves featured in this guide. The Gateway lineup is a three-model wood stove product family built around a common platform: 5/16 inch thick steel construction on the top plate for extended heat radiation and durability, firebrick-lined firebox for heat insulation and tighter clearance allowance, C-Cast high-heat ceramic baffle that directs combustion gases through the secondary burn zone, and ceramic glass that withstands the temperature swings inside the firebox.

Common feature set across all three Gateway models: integrated air wash system uses hot air circulation to keep dirt and debris off the glass, the no-mess ash pan with a cover allows debris removal without spilling ash into the room, the single-lever one-handle air control adjusts burn rate without complex damper sequences, and the heavy-duty door latch seals tight every time for efficient burns. Style options on every Gateway: black or nickel door trim, black or nickel straight legs, black or nickel Queen Anne legs, or a pedestal base; accessories include the step top, fire screen, blower, and fresh air kit.

The three Gateway models we carry are the Gateway 1700, the Gateway 2300, and the Gateway 3500. Browse the full Empire Stoves collection for current pricing and availability.

The Empire Gateway lineup is structured as three sizes of the same non-catalytic wood stove. The combustion technology, control architecture, glass system, ash pan design, baffle material, and build quality are identical across all three. What scales is the firebox volume, log length capacity, burn time, peak BTU output, and recommended heating area. The progression makes model selection a function of square footage and burn-time preference rather than a choice between different technologies.

The Gateway 1700 is the compact end of the lineup. Heating coverage is 500 to 1,800 square feet, the 1.86 cu ft firebox accepts logs up to 18 inches in east-west orientation, and the peak output is 65,000 BTU/h (heat output range 9,800 to 52,200 BTU/h under EPA test conditions). Average efficiency is 68% HHV (73% LHV) on dry cordwood; particulate emissions 2.4 g/h. Maximum burn time is 7 hours on a single load. The 1700 is built on the same 5/16 inch steel and firebrick-lined platform as the larger models, but in a smaller cabinet (24-1/8 in wide, 18-3/4 in deep). Optional blower up to 100 CFM. Best fit: small to medium homes, single rooms in larger homes, cabins, supplemental zone heating, and homes with moderate climates where 1,800 sq ft heating capacity is sufficient.

The Gateway 2300 is the middle of the Gateway lineup and the most-search-volume model in the series. Heating coverage is 500 to 2,100 square feet, the 2.4 cu ft firebox accepts logs up to 20 inches, and peak output is 75,000 BTU/h (range 14,200 to 44,500 BTU/h under EPA test). Average efficiency is 72% HHV (77% LHV); particulate emissions are 2.3 g/h. Maximum burn time is 8 hours. Cabinet dimensions are 26-1/4 in wide by 20-7/8 in deep. Optional blower up to 130 CFM. The 2300 covers a wider range of homes than the 1700 and is the appropriate first pick for most primary-heat installations where the home falls between 1,500 and 2,100 square feet. Best fit: medium to large homes, open-plan main living areas, primary heat in moderate climates, and households that want the 8-hour overnight burn cycle.

The Gateway 3500 is the largest model in the series and the appropriate choice for spacious homes, great rooms, and cold-climate primary heating. Heating coverage is 1,000 to 2,700 square feet, the 3.5 cu ft firebox accepts logs up to 22 inches, and peak output is 110,000 BTU/h (range 17,200 to 57,800 BTU/h under EPA test). Average efficiency is 71% HHV (76% LHV); particulate emissions are 1.6 g/h, the lowest in the Gateway series. Maximum burn time is 10 hours, the longest in the series. Cabinet dimensions are 28-1/8 in wide by 24-5/8 in deep. Optional blower up to 130 CFM. The 3500's larger firebox accommodates longer logs and longer reloading intervals, which makes it the typical pick for cold-climate northern installations where overnight heat-through is required and for great rooms with cathedral ceilings. Best fit: large homes 1,800 to 2,700+ sq ft, whole-home primary heating, great rooms, and properties in colder climate zones.

All three Empire Gateway wood stoves use the same non-catalytic secondary combustion approach. There is no catalytic combustor inside the firebox. Clean combustion is instead achieved through three engineered features that work together inside every Gateway firebox.

• Preheated secondary air injection. Combustion air is drawn from outside the firebox, routed along heated channels in the stove body, and injected into the upper firebox through stainless steel secondary air tubes. By the time the air enters the firebox it has been preheated to combustion-supporting temperatures, so it ignites combustion gases rather than cooling them.
• High-heat C-Cast ceramic baffle. The baffle directs combustion gases through the secondary burn zone before they exit to the chimney. C-Cast is a high-density ceramic baffle material that holds heat and resists deterioration at the temperatures present in the upper firebox. The baffle is part of the 7-year warranty coverage.
• Firebrick-lined firebox. High-density firebricks line the interior of the firebox, holding heat inside the combustion chamber and creating the hot zone needed for secondary combustion to ignite. Firebricks also provide a sacrificial layer that protects the steel firebox walls from direct flame contact.

• No catalyst to monitor, inspect, or replace. Catalytic stoves require periodic catalyst inspection and eventual replacement every 10,000 to 12,000 hours of operation. Non-catalytic stoves remove that ownership cost.
• Faster light-off from cold start. Non-catalytic combustion reaches operating temperature quickly because secondary air injection begins firing as soon as the firebox is hot enough; there is no separate catalyst light-off threshold to cross.
• Simpler operation. The one-lever air control directly adjusts combustion air. There is no bypass damper sequence to learn, no catalyst engagement window to manage, and no monitor probe to check.
• EPA 2020 certified. All three Gateway models are certified to meet the U.S. EPA 2020 emission limits for wood heaters (CFR 40 part 60, subpart AAA) using the CSA B415.1-10 stack loss method for efficiency measurement.

• Burn dry cordwood at or below 20 percent moisture. Wet wood drops firebox temperature, secondary combustion stalls, and visible smoke increases at the chimney. Empire warranty explicitly limits the approved fuel to cordwood.
• Run at moderate-to-high burn rates rather than extreme low rates. Non-catalytic secondary combustion stays active at moderate burn rates; at the lowest possible damper setting, the firebox cools and secondary burn can drop off.
• Maintain the air wash glass system. The integrated air wash blows hot combustion air across the inside of the glass, keeping particulates from accumulating. Wet wood, low burn rates, or a partially blocked air channel can defeat the air wash and result in a dirty glass.
• Reload before the firebox is fully out. Add wood on a hot coal bed; this keeps secondary combustion lit during the reload rather than requiring a full re-ignition.

• You're heating 500 to 1,800 square feet. The 1700 is sized for small to medium homes, single rooms in larger homes, cabins, and supplemental zone heating.
• You want the most compact Gateway cabinet (24-1/8 in wide by 18-3/4 in deep) for tighter installation footprints.
• You're heating a milder climate zone where 7-hour overnight burns and 65,000 BTU peak output match the heat load.
• The longest log you intend to burn is 18 inches. The 1700 firebox accepts up to 18 inch logs east-west.
• You want the lowest initial price in the Gateway lineup while keeping all of the platform features (5/16 in steel, C-Cast baffle, ash pan, air wash, one-lever control).

• You're heating 500 to 2,100 square feet as primary or secondary heat. The 2300 is the mid-size Gateway and the appropriate default for the majority of single-stove primary-heat installations.
• You want an 8-hour overnight burn cycle rather than the 1700's 7-hour cycle.
• Your firewood supply runs longer logs up to 20 inches east-west.
• You want the highest LHV efficiency in the series (77 percent average, 79 percent optimum) and the lowest CO emissions (69 g/h).
• You want a larger optional blower (130 CFM versus 100 CFM on the 1700) for better forced-air distribution into adjacent rooms.

• You're heating 1,000 to 2,700 square feet. The 3500 is sized for large homes, great rooms with cathedral ceilings, and whole-home primary heating.
• You want the longest burn time in the series (10 hours) for overnight heat-through without reloading.
• You want the largest firebox (3.5 cu ft) and the longest log capacity (22 inches east-west).
• You're heating a cold climate zone and need the 110,000 BTU peak output for the coldest nights of the year.
• You want the lowest emissions in the series (1.6 g/h particulates) for cleaner burning and reduced chimney creosote accumulation.

Gateway 1700 alcove installation (double wall): 11 in back, 12 in side, 36 in max alcove depth (USA), 78 in min alcove height. Mobile home installation (double wall): 12 in back, 14-1/2 in side, 12 in corner. Single wall pipe is strictly forbidden in any mobile home installation.

Gateway 2300 alcove installation (double wall): 10 in back, 19 in side, 36 in max alcove depth (USA), 77 in min alcove height. Mobile home installation (double wall): 12 in back, 18 in side, 11 in corner. Single wall pipe is strictly forbidden in any mobile home installation.

Gateway 3500 alcove installation (double wall): 11 in back, 16 in side, 36 in max alcove depth (USA), 74 in min alcove height. Mobile home installation (double wall): 10 in back, 19 in side, 10 in corner. Single wall pipe is strictly forbidden in any mobile home installation.

Because the three Gateway models share the same combustion technology, the same control architecture, and the same warranty coverage, model selection comes down to four factors: heated area, climate zone, burn-time preference, and log length supply.

• Mild climate (IECC zones 1-3): Heat loss is moderate. A Gateway sized to the high end of the home's square footage typically works well; the 2300 covers most installations in this band.
• Moderate climate (IECC zones 4-5): Heat loss is higher; size the Gateway to the upper end of its rated coverage. A 2,000 sq ft home in zone 4 may push the 2300 to its limit on the coldest nights; the 3500 is more comfortable.
• Cold climate (IECC zones 6-7): Heat loss is significant. Drop to the bottom half of the rated heating range. A Gateway 3500 (rated 1,000-2,700 sq ft) is typically the right pick for 1,800-2,400 sq ft homes in cold climates.
• Building envelope matters. Tight, well-insulated new construction performs at the upper end of the rated range. Older homes with single-pane windows, attic air leaks, or limited insulation perform at the lower end.

• Size up if you live in a cold climate, your home has cathedral ceilings or open multi-story spaces, the wood stove will be your primary heat source, or you want longer overnight burns without reloading.
• Size up only one model. Over-sizing leads to slow, smoldering fires that defeat secondary combustion and produce more creosote. The Gateway lineup is designed to operate at moderate-to-high burn rates for clean combustion.
• Size down if the wood stove is supplemental heat to a primary system (furnace, heat pump), you're heating a single room or zone, or your home is small and well-insulated.

Every Empire Gateway wood stove is covered by the Empire Limited Warranty, applicable to the original purchaser only in residential use. Proof of purchase is required (dated bill of sale plus model and serial number). Sourced from Empire Stove manufacturer documentation.

• Original purchaser only, residential use. The warranty is not transferable to subsequent owners.
• Proof of purchase required: dated bill of sale showing the model and serial number.
• Professional installation mandatory by an authorized qualified technician. DIY installation voids warranty coverage.
• Cordwood is the only approved fuel. Burning other materials voids the warranty.
• Claims process: contact your Empire dealer first. The dealer obtains an authorization number from Empire before any parts are shipped. The manufacturer may require digital photos to document the defect.

• Misuse, abuse, improper installation, lack of maintenance, or over-firing.
• Burning unauthorized materials (garbage, treated wood, painted wood, coal, gasoline, plastics).
• Surface defects: scratches, corrosion, distortion, or discoloration.
• Damage caused by using non-original parts in repair.
• Damage from operating the stove in a manner inconsistent with the owner's manual.

Browse the Empire Gateway wood stove product pages and the per-model size guides for clearances, room-size matching, and install-specific details.