Cubic Cub Mini Wood Stove Review [Latest 2023 Version]

The Cubic Cub Mini is a teeny-tiny wood-burning stove with an impressive heat output of 6000-14000 BTU.

It's the smaller brother to the Cubic Grizzly Mini, which is small but not to the same extent as the miniature Cub.

The Cub is so small that it looks like a novelty item, but rest assured, it packs a punch and will happily heat 100 to 150 square feet. 

Who is it for?

It's for small boats, RVs, cabins, tiny homes, sheds, or any space up to 150 square feet with modest heat requirements. 

Interested? Our Cubic Cub Mini review reveals all you need to know, including its features, specifications, installation process, and most importantly of all, our overall opinion.

Cubic Cub Mini Wood Stove: Introduction

The Cubic Cub is tiny by name and design. At W11" x H12" x D10.5", it's smaller than a standard packing box and weighs only 27 lbs. (12.25kg), giving it epic portability. We can't think of another stove that is quite this dinky. 

But don't be fooled by the Cub's diminutive stature – it kicks out 6000-14000 BTU (1.75 – 4.1 kWh), and the stovetop heats and cooks for fun. 

Pick it up or use it, and it's clear that the Cub Mini is a serious piece of kit, with the stainless-steel body and quality fixings inspiring confidence. 

This is a tiny stove you genuinely enjoy using rather than one that is there for the sake of it to provide essential heat.

It's powerful, small, and easy to operate – a triply good deal when temperatures drop, and you need heat quickly. 

Cubic Cub: Key Specifications

Cubic Cub: Key Features

So what really makes the Cubic Cub Mini stand out? These are it's main selling points.

Easy installation

Installation involves:

You might also need shielding, which reduces the required gap to surrounding surfaces to 3" (20" is required without shielding). 

You can read a pretty good account of the installation process here.

Secondary combustion

The Cubic Cub has a secondary air intake that pulls in room air to fuel secondary combustion, reigniting the wood/ash to produce more heat and boost efficiency. 

Suitable for cooking 

The stovetop is excellent for boiling water, heating coffee, or throwing anything into a saucepan or aluminum tray. The stovetop is 11" from edge to edge and 5" from the flue to the edge, giving you lots of cooking space. 

Removes humidity 

The Cubic Cub draws in air from inside your space via a secondary air vent, with that air fueling secondary combustion. If your space suffers from humidity and condensation, this process helps reduce airborne moisture.

You can read more about controlling stove vents in our guide.

High-quality materials 

The case and baffles are made from stainless steel, which is significantly lighter and more durable than cast iron. The detailing is brass, the glass is ROBAX ceramic, and the insulation is vermiculite for optimal thermal efficiency. 

Powerful performance

With 6000-14000 BTU of heating power, the Cubic Cub quickly heats 100 to 150 square feet without taking up lots of space - perfect for tiny homes, RVs, camper vans, boats, and cabins with no space for a traditional wood burner. 

Can You Cook on a Cubic Cub Mini Wood Stove?

Cooking on the Cubic Cub Mini is a safe experience thanks to the railed stovetop, which helps stop pots and pans from falling off the edge (especially important for boat installs).

Alternatively, you can remove the rail to increase cooking space to 5" between the flue and edge. 

The total cooking surface comes in at 11" edge to edge with the rail removed, giving you enough space for an aluminum tray – cover this with foil, and you can cook stews, braised beef, and roast/steam vegetables. 

Unfortunately, the CB-7200 Mini Roaster – a bolt-on roaster for the Grizzly Mini with a temperature gauge – is incompatible with the Cub Mini because it's too big.

For cooking, you must stick to pots, pans, and trays (or buy the bigger Grizzly stove). 

Warranty 

The Cubic Cub Mini doesn't have a warranty (none of Cubic's stoves do), but the glass is covered for the first 90 days of use.  

While no warranty is unusual for a stove, the company says that if there is anything defective, you can email them for help. 

Reliability is not a concern for us because there are no mechanical components to go wrong other than the hinges.

The baffles, glass, and interior only need cleaning and are made from durable materials that last a long time. 

Certifications 

The Cubic Cub Mini doesn't have any certifications for emissions, safety, or otherwise, so you must check local regulations before installation. 

Few places have banned wood-burning stoves outright, but states and regions with a Stage 1 Burn Ban prohibit using all uncertified wood stoves and inserts – and the Cubic Cub Mini is classed as uncertified. 

However, the Burn Ban only affects uncertified wood stoves that are not the sole source of heat. So if it's your only heat source, you've nothing to worry about.

Burn bans vary by state and change according to current air quality conditions. You can see an example of burn restrictions for the state of Washington here.

Installation

The great thing about tiny stoves, in general, is they are built for recreational installation in small spaces like boats, RVs, and cabins. 

All you need is a hole in the roof for the flue pipe and adequate shielding to install the Cub Mini anywhere.

With shielding, you can install it 3" from any surface, and Cubic sells shielding separately to ensure correct specifications. 

Here's what the installation process looks like:

While most people use shielding, you need a horizontal clearance of 20" in all directions and a vertical clearance of 30" without it. 

Additionally, the Cub Mini stove needs a 3" flue pipe, a 5" insulated pipe, and an exit kit, sold separately here:

If we include the flue and pipes/exit kits necessary for installation, the price of the Cub Mini jumps by several hundred dollars.

This might take it over budget, but no tiny stove on the market includes a flue and pipe. 

Start-up Sequence

It's a fairly standard start up procedure as wood stoves go. Here's how to get toasty warm in no time!

Mounting Options: Wall or Floor?

You can mount the Cub Mini stove to the wall or floor, with Cubic selling a precision steel wall mount that doubles up as shielding, reducing clearances from the stove to the surface the wall mount is mounted. 

If you want to floor mount the Cub Mini, you can stand it on a non-combustible surface like a steel plate or firebrick, or you can buy the Floor Mount, which raises the stove by 11 7/8" (30.1cm) with the top of the stove sitting 20" off the ground. 

The Floor Mount and Wall Mount are fantastic pieces of kit, although a side shield is still required if there is a combustible surface within 20" of the stove laterally – remember, there is no replacement for adequate shielding. 

If you're stuck for ideas, you can see some great examples of wood stove installations in our latest guide.

Floor Mount 

The Cubic Cub sits on legs, or you can buy the CB-2020-SS Cub Floor Mount with Rear Heat Shield.

Depending on your space, the Floor Mount offers a safe way to install your stove and gives you storage space for wood. 

Wall Mount

Cubic offers three wall mounts for the Cub Mini. 

• The CB-2012-SS Stainless Steel Wall Mount shields the surface behind the stove and gives your Cub Mini a solid platform to sit on. 
• The CB-2213-SS Stainless Steel Wall Mount with Sliding Tray includes a front tray that catches ash and embers when refilling. 
• The CB-2017-SS Stainless Steel Wall Mount with Fresh Air Intake replaces oxygen in your space with fresh air from outside. 

You can install these Wall Mounts at any height, but you must maintain a minimum bottom air gap of at least 1" for safety. 

Flue

The Cubic Cub Wood Stove needs a 3" (7.62 cm) flue pipe and a 5" (12.7 cm) insulated pipe and exit kit (sold separately). 

The Exit Kit includes the 5" insulated pipe but not the 3" flue pipe, so you need to buy the Shingle Exit Kit or Metal Roof Exit Kit with the 12" long or 24" long 3" flue (you should size the flue in line with the installation height). 

Cubic sells all the necessary products, but you can use a third-party flue pipe and exit kit if it fits. Always perform a carbon monoxide test after installation. 

Clearances

You can install the Cubic Cub Mini with or without shielding, which dictates the minimum distance between the stove and surrounding walls. 

Without shielding, the Cub Mini needs 20" in all horizontal directions and a vertical clearance of 30". To floor mount the stove on its standard legs, you must use a non-combustible surface for safety.

However, most people use shielding. With shielding, the clearance is reduced to 3" in all directions. Cubic sells a Side Shield for this purpose, and you can also wall-mount with rear shielding using the CB-2012-SS Wall Mount. 

These clearances are the best on the market and are identical to the clearances of the larger Grizzly Cubic Mini. 

Three inches of clearance is just amazing and it's ideal if you're working with a really tight space.

Accessories

Here are the Cubic Cub's best official accessories: 

Water Heater/Dispenser

A stainless steel water tank can be attached to the right side of the stove. It holds just over 2.5 liters and takes 30-40 minutes to boil. An easy to use spigot allows the hot water to be easily used.

It's a really handy add-on for those that don't have access to hot water.

It's important to note the Cub's installation needs to be raised off the ground in order for the spigot to be accessed. There's not enough clearance from the floor otherwise.

Floor Mount 

The CB-2014 Floor Mount is the most stylish way to floor mount your Cubic Cub Mini, with a sleek black body and a storage area for wood. It's made from mild steel with brass fixings and raises the stove 11 7/8" (30.1cm) off the ground. 

Miniature Tool Kit

The CB-3010 Miniature Tool Kit includes a poker, a shovel, and a log gripper. It matches the design of the Floor Mount and has fixings to attach to it, although you need to buy them both together for the Floor Mount to have fixings. 

EcoFan

The CB-800CAXBX EcoFan attaches to the top of the Cub Mini and circulates warm air around your room. It can heat up your space 20% faster and is powered by the stove's heat at temperatures between 230°F – 650°F (110°C – 345°C).

Brush Kit

The CB-8253 3" Brush Kit includes 5 feet of brush rod and a 3" brush to easily clean your flue and pipe. The pliable rod flexes and bends to the shape of your pipe, ensuring that you clean every nook and cranny. 

Cubic Cub: Pros and Cons

The Cubic Cub is one of the tiniest stoves money can buy, yet it kicks out 6000-14000 BTU of heating power suitable for up to 150 square feet. 

It's well made and thoughtfully designed, with secondary combustion to minimize smoke and improve efficiency, making your fuel last longer. 

The only significant downside is that the small firebox burns through wood very quickly because it produces lots of heat. You must feed the fire a new log every half hour or sooner if you keep both vents open to maximize heat. 

Additionally, it isn't compatible with the Mini Roaster cooking add-on, limiting its cooking uses to pots, pans, aluminum trays, and metal cups. 

Here are the Cubic Cub's main pros and cons:

Pros

Cons

To Whom is the Cub Cubic Mini Wood Stove Best Suited?

The Cubic Cub is the best tiny stove for log cabins, RVs, motorhomes, camper vans, and other spaces up to 150 square feet. 

With just 3 inch clearance, it's ideal for tight spaces where you need an off-grid heating solution.

However, there are concessions to be made for having such a small and compact wood burner. The biggest one being the short burn time. A small stove means a small firebox with a small capacity for fuel. That means it needs refuelled more frequently.

Alternatives to the Cubic Cub Wood Stove

To be honest, when it comes to really small wood burning stoves, there isn't really that much choice.

This is especially true when it comes to tiny wood burners that are actually worth buying. 

These are the standouts when it comes to heating small spaces of less than 250 square feet.

Cubic Grizzly Mini Wood Stove

The Cubic Grizzly Mini is the Cub's bigger brother with 8000-18000 BTU of heating power, suitable for spaces over 200 square feet.

It has all the same features as the Cub but is bigger and heavier, making it better suited to large motorhomes, 25ft boats, and single rooms in large houses.

We love the Cubic Grizzly and think it's the best mini stove for heating up to 400 square feet. 

Dickinson Newport

The Dickinson Newport is a floor-standing wood burner that burns charcoal briquettes and coals with a 3000-8000 BTU heat output. 

This stove is a favorite installation in boats and motorhomes because it has a permanent fresh air vent to reduce humidity. It also has a simple, rustic design (finished in blue, silver, and chrome) that blends in with most interior styles. 

The Dwarf 3kW Lite

The Dwarf 3kW Lite is bigger than the Cub Mini with a maximum of 10000 BTU (3kW) heat output, making it better for heating 200-250 square feet. 

This is a better option than the Cub if you need to heat more than 200 square feet but not as much as 400 square feet (for this, the Grizzly Mini is best).

You can also buy a direct-air intake accessory to pipe fresh air into the firebox. 

Cubic Cub Wood Stove FAQs

Let's finish with some answers to commonly asked questions regarding the Cubic Cub wood stove.

Can you cook with it? 

You can cook on the stovetop with aluminum trays, pots, and pans. There's a rail to stop things from falling off, but you must remove it to maximize cooking space – removed, you get 11" edge to edge and 5" from the flue to the edge. 

What fuels can I use? 

The Cub works best with seasoned/kiln-dried wood cut to 5 3/4" (14.60 cm), or you can feed it with pressed logs and charcoal. The charcoal will give you sustainable embers and help to reduce the amount of refueling required.

Is the Cubic Cub easy to install?

Thanks to its tininess and 27 lb. weight, installing the Cub requires no grunt work. Make a roof hole, feed in a pipe, install an exit kit, and connect the Cub to the flue. It takes a competent DIY'er around a few hours to install. 

Are there any known Cubic Cub problems? 

There are no build quality or reliability problems to note. The only gripe some have is needing to refuel it often because it gets through wood rapidly. You can reduce refueling times by burning pressed logs and charcoal.